Colchester's Natural History Museum
Colchester's Natural History Museum
Colchester's Natural History Museum
4
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
A fascinating chance to get closer to nature. Find out about wildlife habitats, biodiversity and climate change. Did you know that there was an earthquake in Colchester in 1884? Or that mammoths and hippos used to roam this area? Discover more about open salt marshes, beaches and the creatures that lurk beneath your feet. Crawl through the badger sett, stroke the friendly fox and enjoy many hands-on activities.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
138 reviews
Excellent
60
Very good
42
Average
27
Poor
7
Terrible
2
SJC94
Ashford, UK215 contributions
Apr 2023 • Friends
This museum is free which is one of its few plus points.
The displays and layout are very dated and use a mixture of Victorian stuffed animals and display boards to very briefly cover local habitats.
It’s in the city centre and is easily accessible but it could do with the displays being totally rearranged and in some cases updated. We presume it is council or grant funded and probably is never going to attract proper investment.
The displays and layout are very dated and use a mixture of Victorian stuffed animals and display boards to very briefly cover local habitats.
It’s in the city centre and is easily accessible but it could do with the displays being totally rearranged and in some cases updated. We presume it is council or grant funded and probably is never going to attract proper investment.
Written April 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Noya6281
Colchester, UK19 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
Free visit, but honestly not much there. It's very small and the majority is just some stuffed animals and aimed at kids. The one cool thing in my opinion is a cabinet with some fossils in which is more aimed at adults and older children. There is a gift shop which basically takes up half of the museum and that's it.
Written March 23, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
iammelli
Stoke-on-Trent, UK25 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Myself my children and an electric wheelchair user were able altp enjoy this museum
the lady who greeted us was so friendly and informative, super interested in engaging and teaching the children and knowledgeable of the local history, I noticed they had sensory adaptations too
gave us Great accessibility advice which makes a huge difference to us as we are not local all in all a fantastic experience and huge thankyou again to the blonde lady who looked after us
the lady who greeted us was so friendly and informative, super interested in engaging and teaching the children and knowledgeable of the local history, I noticed they had sensory adaptations too
gave us Great accessibility advice which makes a huge difference to us as we are not local all in all a fantastic experience and huge thankyou again to the blonde lady who looked after us
Written August 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
missacorah
Peterborough, England341 contributions
Sep 2021 • Couples
Visited this free attraction to kill sometime and female staff member behind the counter didn’t even look up. Bad start.
The museum itself was clean and nicely kept but it just wasn’t interesting . A few artefacts caught our eye but on the whole it was more like a taxidermist office.
We were in and out in 15 minutes and of course ignored by the staff member as we left.
Would not recommend
The museum itself was clean and nicely kept but it just wasn’t interesting . A few artefacts caught our eye but on the whole it was more like a taxidermist office.
We were in and out in 15 minutes and of course ignored by the staff member as we left.
Would not recommend
Written September 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angela R
13 contributions
Mar 2020
Everyone loved it, really interesting interactive exhibits. Small place but free, lovely way to spend an hour or so. As expected, a tempting little shop in the middle, so be prepared to get a little something for the kiddies, lovely selection of gifts to choose from.
Written March 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
victoria s
Chatham, UK118 contributions
Apr 2014
I was blown away by how good this museum was! It is small but the display cases are remarkable especially the backyard scene with all the night creatures! There were plenty of colouring pencils and paper on the craft table and my children and I enjoyed the flip chart on food chains. Best of all, there is a state of the art microscope with various items of nature to view up close. I get so tired of local museums where there are bits missing from activity tables, old fashioned microscopes you can't even work, no/broken pencils in craft areas etc. The staff obviously work hard in maintaining the museum, ensuring everything is set up for the children. All they need now is some funding for an extension!
It's not a full day out but combined with castle park opposite, Hollytrees museum and a bite to eat nearby, it's part if a really lovely and CHEAP day out in Colchester!
It's not a full day out but combined with castle park opposite, Hollytrees museum and a bite to eat nearby, it's part if a really lovely and CHEAP day out in Colchester!
Written April 26, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paige B
Braintree, UK143 contributions
Aug 2019 • Friends
Small but interesting. I don't recomend if taxidermy freaks you out. Good for children and creative displays.
Written November 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alisdair t
Workington, UK6,340 contributions
Sep 2017 • Couples
Housed in a disused church, opposite the castle, this is a lovely little museum. Its free to get in, but please leave a little donation. Nice natural history exhibits, nicely laid out. A section devoted to the infamous earthquake, the great flood. Nice little shop. Well worth a visit if passing.
Written September 20, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gavagcla
Stockton-on-Tees, UK56 contributions
I didn't know there was a Natural History Museum in Colchester. Situated opposite the Castle it is perfectly formed gold mine. All the displays are interesting and well thought out for all ages of visitors. Free admission makes it a gem not to be missed.
Written August 11, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sandpiperessex
Clacton-on-Sea, UK30 contributions
Apr 2014 • Couples
We enjoyed looking round this little gem of a museum. Good displays and near to so much more to see and do.
Written June 25, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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