Is Castle Park Colchester’s proudest historical site?
Castle Park was opened on the 20th October 1892 by the Lord Mayor of London.
It is split into an upper and lower park by the Roman town wall of Colchester.
The upper paper is mainly gardens whereas the lower park is by the banks of the River Colne.
The castle was built on the foundations of the Temple of Claudius back when Colchester was the first Roman capital of Britain.
The Park’s history:
Over 2,000 years ago the Romans invaded Britain and making their first capital and first town Colchester.
They were the first ones to landscape the park, when they levelled the area in about AD54 for their temple which was dedicated to the Emperor Claudius.
Fast forward to 1066 the Normans built a castle to defend the eastern approaching London. The construction of the castle began in 1076, William I ordered a stone castle on a route between East Anglia and London.
The Norman’s built the castle over the ruins of the Roman Temple of Claudius.
In the 13th century, the castle was used as a prison holding hundreds of prisoners in horrific conditions.
The castle was mostly in ruins by the 16th century but was continuously used as a prison right through to the 17th century up until part way through the 18th century.
The castle became a museum in 1860, holding archaeological treasures which it what it remains to be now.
Pru Seaman says that ‘Castle Park is a great place to hang out with friends and is a proud asset of our town’.
Colchester Castle Park has something for everyone and is open to the public.
There is a museum in the castle, a play park, cafe, crazy golf and more!
