UK 950-year-old castle undergoing 'vital' £1.7m transformation in Britain's oldest city
All work is being carried out with guidance from Historic England to ensure repairs are handled sensitively.
A major conservation project is now underway at one of Essex’s most historic landmarks, with Colchester Castle set to receive almost £1.7million worth of repairs. The 950-year-old fortress, one of the most significant Norman buildings in the country, will undergo “vital” restoration work after Colchester City Council approved a £400,000 contribution towards the scheme.
The Government will provide a further £1,293,625 through an MEND grant, bringing the total investment to £1.693 million. The works, expected to be completed later this year, will focus on tackling long-standing damp problems, repairing stonework on the north-west tower, and carefully restoring areas of the castle to protect it for future generations.
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Construction of the castle began in 1076, when the Normans built it directly over the remains of the Roman Temple of Claudius.
According to the council, all work is being carried out with guidance from Historic England to ensure repairs are handled sensitively and remain in keeping with the castle’s historic structure.
The authority said the repairs will also allow fencing along the north wall to be removed once complete.
A spokesperson for Colchester City Council said: “We are delighted to be moving ahead with vital roof works at Colchester Castle, totalling £1.693 million.
“This project is supported by a £1,293,625 MEND grant, alongside a £400,000 contribution from the council’s capital works programme.
“The works are scheduled for completion later this year and will protect the Castle for decades to come.
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“Completion will also allow for the removal of the Heras fencing along the north wall, improving the experience for visitors and residents alike.
“MEND is a Department for Culture, Media and Sport fund administered by Arts Council England.”
Colchester Castle has played a big role in the city for centuries. By the 13th century, it was being used as a prison, at times holding hundreds of prisoners of war in harsh conditions.
It later became a museum of archaeology, a role it has carried out since 1860.
Colchester is officially recognised as Britain’s oldest city, having been awarded city status in 2022.
Its roots stretch back more than 2,000 years, and it was the first place in Britain to be granted the status of a Roman Colonia in AD49.
This made it a planned settlement for retired soldiers and the first capital of Roman Britain.
The city, then known as Camulodunum, was so important that it became a target during Queen Boudica’s revolt in AD60.
Its reputation as Britain’s oldest recorded town comes from Roman writer Pliny the Elder, who referenced Camulodunum around AD77 - the earliest known written mention of any named settlement in Britain.
Today, Colchester mixes thousands of years of history with a modern, lively city centre.
Visitors can explore museums, Roman remains, galleries, theatres and parks, as well as a lively high street with many independent shops.
