Title: Colchester Natural History Museum in Colchester - Tours and Activities | Expedia.ca [Colchester Natural History Museum Hotels](https://expedia.ca/Colchester-Natural-History-Museum-Hotels.0-l6081371-0.Travel-Guide-Filter-Hotels)[Flights to Colchester](https://expedia.ca/Cheap-Flights-To-Colchester.d4609.Travel-Guide-Flights)[Things to do in Colchester](https://expedia.ca/Things-To-Do-In-Colchester.d4609.Travel-Guide-Activities)[Colchester Natural History Museum Car Rentals](https://expedia.ca/Car-Rentals-In-Colchester-Natural-History-Museum.d6081371.Car-Rental-Guide)[Colchester Vacation Packages](https://expedia.ca/Colchester.d4609.Destination-Travel-Guides) # Colchester Natural History Museum Tours and Activities ![Colchester Natural History Museum](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6081371/ac1edbce-c40e-4aba-8ba8-456755dd905a.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Colchester Natural History Museum](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6081371/ac8da2a3-b2c2-45db-9826-6f0bf24e9d7a.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Colchester Natural History Museum](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6081371/cab1ae96-65f2-46c7-bd9d-8e7562fd5be8.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Colchester Natural History Museum](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6081371/1c329417-280f-45bd-8e10-9b1ce0605b3d.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Colchester Natural History Museum](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6081371/42dcef25-f1dc-45d4-acee-24276b68fed1.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ## Visit Colchester Natural History Museum Activities [Colchester travel guide](https://expedia.ca/Colchester.dx4609) --- --- #### Learn about the mammoths, hippos and crocodiles that used to live in the Colchester area and examine a wealth of natural specimens at this excellent, free museum. The Colchester Natural History Museum is a free attraction where the whole family can get closer to nature. Experience what life as a badger must be like and crawl through a replica badger sett, or learn about the earthquake that struck this area in the 19th century. Wander around a small nature reserve where examples of native plants are on show. The Colchester Natural History Museum is located in a converted church, where it has been since 1958\. It has been steadily growing its collection and it now contains several extensive permanent exhibitions as well as a regular program of temporary exhibits. You’ll be amazed by what you can see in the Geology exhibit. As well as rocks and minerals dating back 50 million years, you will find fossils of mammoths, crocodiles and hippos that were discovered in the area. Learn about the earthquake that struck Colchester in 1884 and the make-up of the ground beneath the city. Children will love the hands-on exhibits, where they can crawl like a badger and stroke a fox. Several other examples of native British animals, such as squirrels and bats, are also on display in the taxidermy section. View more than 40,000 different specimens in the display dedicated to insects. Particularly impressive are the collections of butterflies and stag beetles. You can also see displays of around 700 preserved animal skins as well as numerous species preserved in fluids. Take a stroll around the nature trail behind the building or browse the gift shop for souvenirs such as fossils, seeds and educational books. The Colchester Natural History Museum is located opposite Colchester Castle in the town’s center. There is no admission fee for the museum, which closes on Mondays and public holidays. It is also closed for a week at Christmas and on New Year’s Day. There is pay-and-display parking nearby. ## Plan a trip to see Colchester Natural History Museum Price found within the past 48 hours. Click for updated prices. ![Hampton by Hilton London Stansted Airport](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/19000000/18470000/18464400/18464320/9b386cad_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) ### Hampton by Hilton London Stansted Airport CA $1,173 per person Jun 5 - Jun 8 found 1 day ago Roundtrip non-stop flight included Toronto (YTO) to London (STN) 9/10 Wonderful! (2,312 reviews) Everything that I wanted in walking distance, couldn’t ask for more. Reviewed on Apr 6, 2026 ![Novotel London Stansted Airport](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/10000/6400/6327/847c575f_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) ### Novotel London Stansted Airport CA $1,243 per person May 15 - May 18 found 21 hours ago Roundtrip flight included Montreal (YUL) to London (STN) 8.6/10 Excellent! (1,184 reviews) Typical airport hotel. Ok for a night. Reviewed on Apr 3, 2026 ### Popular places to visit ![The Minories Galleries](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621555971833/34bcba84-1b51-428d-859c-cf57ebfa9b62.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### The Minories Galleries See artists at work, browse exhibitions of local and national artists and take in the Georgian architecture of this popular art gallery. [](https://expedia.ca/The-Minories-Galleries-Colchester.d553248621555971833.Vacation-Attraction) ![Hollytrees Museum](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6081391/d07f7bf2-b4c9-4937-ade4-4869bbc63ed7.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Hollytrees Museum Explore 300 years of history in this Georgian house full of antique toys and decorative arts and dress up in a costume of Victorian times. [](https://expedia.ca/Hollytrees-Museum-Colchester.d6081391.Vacation-Attraction) ![Colchester Castle Park](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6081369/3f05290e-0695-4d30-904c-e834cfee7b1b.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Colchester Castle Park Ride a pedalo on the boating lake, enjoy a game of mini golf or simply spend an afternoon relaxing in Colchester’s most popular public park. [](https://expedia.ca/Colchester-Castle-Park-Colchester.d6081369.Vacation-Attraction) ![Colchester Town Hall](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248634340810372/d960ada5-5cce-441d-9b18-b6ff7367e95b.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Colchester Town Hall Colchester’s Baroque town hall, a heritage-listed building with Victorian tower and antique organ, has been the focus of civil duties for over 800 years. [](https://expedia.ca/Colchester-Town-Hall-Colchester.d553248634340810372.Vacation-Attraction) ![firstsite](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621533025669/56cbcc46-efac-4a4e-924d-c858911dd305.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### firstsite As one of the U.K.’s premier modern art galleries, this is a great place to see temporary exhibitions, attend art classes and listen to expert talks. [](https://expedia.ca/Firstsite-Colchester.d553248621533025669.Vacation-Attraction) ![Jumbo Water Tower](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248634340806337/e92a0c05-08c1-418d-80ef-a60a41718689.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Jumbo Water Tower Take pictures of this Victorian structure and admire the 19th-century engineering on what was once the second-largest water tower in the country. [](https://expedia.ca/Jumbo-Water-Tower-Colchester.d553248634340806337.Vacation-Attraction) --- ## Best Lodging Options Near Colchester Natural History Museum ## Check availability on hotels close to Colchester Natural History Museum [Tonight ](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6081371&startDate=2026-04-08&endDate=2026-04-09)[Apr 8 - Apr 9](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6081371&startDate=2026-04-08&endDate=2026-04-09) [Tomorrow night ](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6081371&startDate=2026-04-09&endDate=2026-04-10)[Apr 9 - Apr 10](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6081371&startDate=2026-04-09&endDate=2026-04-10) [This weekend ](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6081371&startDate=10%2F04%2F2026&endDate=12%2F04%2F2026)[Apr 10 - Apr 12](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6081371&startDate=10%2F04%2F2026&endDate=12%2F04%2F2026) [Next weekend ](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6081371&startDate=17%2F04%2F2026&endDate=19%2F04%2F2026)[Apr 17 - Apr 19](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6081371&startDate=17%2F04%2F2026&endDate=19%2F04%2F2026) ![St Nicholas Hotel](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/32000000/31580000/31572600/31572580/500acb7d_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### St Nicholas Hotel High Street St Nicholas Hotel Colchester England [](https://expedia.ca/Colchester-Hotels-St-Nicholas-Hotel.h31572580.Hotel-Information) ![The George of Colchester](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/30000/28400/28302/457e337e_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### The George of Colchester 116 High Street Colchester England [](https://expedia.ca/Colchester-Hotels-The-George-Of-Colchester.h28302.Hotel-Information) ![GreyFriars](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/13000000/12930000/12921400/12921400/6c458aa7_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### GreyFriars High Street Colchester England [](https://expedia.ca/Colchester-Hotels-GreyFriars.h12921400.Hotel-Information) ![The North Hill Hotel, Colchester](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/24000000/23250000/23244400/23244369/af5d9fe7_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### The North Hill Hotel, Colchester 51 NORTH HILL Colchester England [](https://expedia.ca/Colchester-Hotels-North-Hill-Hotel.h23244369.Hotel-Information) ![Brook Red Lion Hotel](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/910000/901000/900905/65e2f0e2_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Brook Red Lion Hotel High Street Colchester England [](https://expedia.ca/Colchester-Hotels-Brook-Red-Lion-Hotel.h900905.Hotel-Information) ![Best Western The Rose & Crown Hotel](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/190000/184500/184464/08a40d8d_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Best Western The Rose & Crown Hotel East Street Colchester England [](https://expedia.ca/Colchester-Hotels-Best-Western-The-Rose-Crown-Hotel.h184464.Hotel-Information) ![Colchester Boutique Hotel](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/13000000/12740000/12732900/12732855/a972497c_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Colchester Boutique Hotel 4-6 North Hill Colchester England [](https://expedia.ca/Colchester-Hotels-Colchester-Boutique-Hotel.h12732855.Hotel-Information) ![Premier Inn Colchester Town Centre](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/14000000/13470000/13462600/13462567/016e1a02_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Premier Inn Colchester Town Centre 30 St Peter Street Colchester England [](https://expedia.ca/Colchester-Hotels-Premier-Inn-Colchester-Town-Centre.h13462567.Hotel-Information) ![Ryegate House Colchester](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/113000000/112360000/112359000/112358962/d43926d6_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Ryegate House Colchester 23 St Peter's St Colchester England [](https://expedia.ca/Colchester-Hotels-Colchester-Studio-Suites.h112358962.Hotel-Information) [See all 693 properties in Colchester Natural History Museum](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.Hotels.Package®ionId=6081371) Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.