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 featuring interior views](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/59000/59510-Colchester-Natural-History-Museum.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Colchester Natural History Museum showing heritage architecture](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/59000/59514-Colchester-Natural-History-Museum.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Colchester Natural History Museum](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/59000/59511-Colchester-Natural-History-Museum.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Colchester Natural History Museum showing interior views](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/59000/59504-Colchester-Natural-History-Museum.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Colchester Natural History Museum showing interior views](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/59000/59507-Colchester-Natural-History-Museum.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. ![Holiday Inn Southend by IHG](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/6000000/5050000/5045700/5045679/019bde39_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) ### Holiday Inn Southend by IHG CA $1,130 per person Nov 17 - Nov 22 found 22 hours ago Roundtrip flight included Toronto (YYZ) to London (STN) 8.8/10 Excellent! (1,004 reviews) Very happy with the whole experience. Many thanks Reviewed on Sep 17, 2025 [](https://expedia.ca/go/package/search/FlightHotel/2025-11-17/2025-11-22/?FromAirport=YYZ&Destination=STN&NumRoom=1&NumAdult=2&NumChild=0&hotelId=5045679&paandie=true&dealMarker=-VZC7Uadyt-jt4vm5Sin7F3LUHukfBDfDeENF48iMJOqi_UutBGqNehViBYs494u) ![White house](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/112000000/111340000/111336000/111335972/264a0599_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) ### White house CA $1,171 per person Nov 28 - Dec 4 found 7 hours ago Roundtrip non-stop flight included Toronto (YTO) to London (STN) 6/10 (2 reviews) [](https://expedia.ca/go/package/search/FlightHotel/2025-11-28/2025-12-04/?FromAirport=YTO&Destination=STN&NumRoom=1&NumAdult=2&NumChild=0&hotelId=111335972&paandie=true&dealMarker=x5OpLJEYFlrnqtPV8TbqnRqtpQEoFK1BODdTx4v9lzOKRuDFfyC3RjpL10uN-pw8) ![The Harvard Inn](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/16000000/15600000/15598400/15598352/aba24539_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) ### The Harvard Inn CA $1,428 per person Nov 10 - Nov 16 found 10 hours ago Roundtrip non-stop flight included Montreal (YUL) to London (STN) 9.4/10 Exceptional! (356 reviews) We like this hotel and have stayed many times before and have future bookings. However, our one gripe is that the pillows are awful. They are thin and hard and very uncomfortable, like sleeping on concrete. These need to be changed for something more comfortable otherwise we might have to reconsider our future stays. Reviewed on Oct 1, 2025 [](https://expedia.ca/go/package/search/FlightHotel/2025-11-10/2025-11-16/?FromAirport=YUL&Destination=STN&NumRoom=1&NumAdult=2&NumChild=0&hotelId=15598352&paandie=true&dealMarker=E9YzIbhBKj1rpxP9PzSJARCqnV8MHpN8dXncJ55oB3KhdJAFqTYWLhgIpru4qOyB) ### Popular places to visit ![Colchester showing heritage architecture](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/60000/60740-The-Minories-Art-Gallery.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) ![Colchester Castle Museum](https://mediaim.expedia.com/destination/2/7b14aef9d0e006835761b7bdb2a5fd97.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Colchester Castle Museum You can study the exhibits at Colchester Castle Museum, a museum with a storied past, during your travels to Colchester. Savor the top-notch restaurants and lively bars while in town. [](https://expedia.ca/Colchester-Castle-Museum-Colchester.d6081367.Vacation-Attraction) ![Hollytrees Museum featuring a park](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/59000/59566-Hollytrees-Museum.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 featuring heritage architecture and château or palace](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/59000/59502-Colchester-Castle-Park.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 showing heritage architecture](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/59000/59602-Colchester.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) ![Colchester which includes modern architecture](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/59000/59582-First-Site.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. 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