Colchester Castle

Colchester Castle is the largest surviving Norman Keep in Europe and was built when Colchester became the first Roman capital of Britain. It was ordered by William the Conqueror around 1076 and is actually built on the foundations of the earlier Roman temple of Claudius dating back to AD 54-50. It holds over 2000 year’s worth of History, from Royalty to besieges, imprisonments and executions. In 1727 the Castle was bought and given to Charles Gray as a wedding gift, and in the late 1740s after various restorations, Gray created a private park surrounding the Castle, more commonly known today as Castle Park. He constructed a quaint Summer House which is still situated on the old Norman castle earthworks, in the shape of a Roman temple, and today this is licensed for civil ceremonies. In 1922, the Castle and the associated parkland were acquired by Colchester Borough Council, and the Castle is now a public museum which is open seven days a week. It is now also licensed for weddings and civil ceremonies where you can enjoy your special day in a wonderful and unique setting, surrounded by thousands of years worth of history.