Architectural Gems of Colchester

Colchester is host to numerous examples of architecture spanning hundreds of years, from 1137 to the 19^th Century. These are my favourite buildings and I recommend you give them a visit!

Hollytrees Museum

Colchester’s museum of toys, costumes and decorative arts designed to help you discover what domestic life and childhood has been like for residents over the years is housed in a beautiful Georgian Town House from 1718 and is certainly a great example of architecture from that era. The house is square and made up of three storeys of four rooms and a basement containing the kitchen and storage areas.

The west elevation originally included a small projecting bay – home to the staircase, half landings and closets. Due to considerable social changes since construction, it is difficult to know the exact original uses of most of the rooms. This is a lovely example of Georgian architecture and shouldn’t be missed.

Layer Marney Tower

Layer Marney Tower is a Tudor palace constructed in the first half of the reign of Henry VIII, composed of buildings, gardens and parkland, dating from 1520 which boasts the tallest Tudor gatehouse in Britain. A rare combination of brick and terracotta was used in its construction, seen in few other places such as Sutton Place in Surrey.

The Great English Earthquake of 1884 wrought considerable damage on the buildings and a large scale restoration project was undertaken to return it to its previous glory. Not only are the buildings worth a look, but the gardens are listed as Grade II and feature on the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England

Jumbo Water Tower

Nicknamed “Jumbo” as a term of derision in 1882 by Reverend John Irvine who was bothered that the tower dwarfed his rectory, the Colchester water tower is a bizarre but captivating piece of architecture which holds a Grade II listing. An amazing 1,200,000 bricks and 819 tons of stone and cement were used in the construction and when it was in use could hold 1069 cubic metres of water.

Standing at 35.37 metres (116 ft) above ground, there are 157 steps to the cupola offering amazing views across the town of Colchester and the surrounding area. Developers are seeking to convert the Tower into residential and commercial properties, but so far the council have turned this down, keeping the Tower in its rustic state. Visits are managed by the Colchester Borough Council, so be sure to take a look.

Cressing Temple

An ancient monument founded in 1137 by Matilda of Boulogne situated between Witham and Braintree in Cressing Temple was the headquarters to one of the very first grant of land given to the order of the Knights Templar in England.

The medieval moated farmstead site is home to the oldest timber-framed barn in the world: the Barley Barn. I am certainly you will be struck with aw at the scale of the barns and appreciate the rare skill of the men who built them.

Cressing Temple is open to the public and holds events throughout the year with the gardens being popular with people enjoying a picnic in the summer months.