Colchester Castle / Colchester Norman Keep / Colchester Roman Town.

Colchester Castle is located in the town of Colchester, which is the oldest recorded town in the United Kingdom. Colchester Castle is the largest Norman Keep in Europe and was built over the massive vaults of the ruined temple of Claudius. William the Conqueror ordered the construction of Colchester Castle, which began around 1070 and was fully completed around 1100. It was designed by Gundolf, the Bishop of Rochester and construction was overseen by Eudo Dapifer and was built largely from local brick and clay. King John captured the Castle in 1215.

Colchester Castle

Over the years, Colchester Castle has had many uses, including being used as a County prison, where Matthew Hopkins the Witchfinder general held captive suspected witches. The executions of Charles Lucas and George Lisle, Royalist Leaders were carried out in the Castle Grounds in 1648.

Colchester Castle Grounds

Colchester Keep

Demolition of the Castle commenced in 1683 to obtain the stone, but ceased after becoming unprofitable. In 1727, the Castle, became privately owned by Charles Gray who was MP for Colchster. He later undertook restoration work, adding a library and the creation of a Castle Park. The Castle is now in the hands of the Town Council and home to a museum containing wonderful artefacts. Other areas to visit in Colchester are the Dutch Quarter and the Zoo, where staff first bred a Zeedonk, a cross between a Zebra and a Donkey.