Colchester + Ipswich Museums

People with disabilities are eligible for concessionary rate admissions. One helper per visitor is free of charge.

Access information for visitors with mobility impairments

The entrance has level access via a double set of glass doors.  There is level or ramped access throughout the building.

A manual wheelchair is available for use around the castle. Please ask at reception on arrival.

There is an accessible toilet with baby changing facilities on the ground floor.

There are stairs from the ground floor displays to the first floor which can be avoided by using the lift. The lift door opening is 79cm. The lift depth is 151cm.

Roman vaults and roof tour

This tour involves going up and down steep staircases. There are a number of low archways to go through. The roof is also only accessed by a steep spiral staircase.

As an alternative, there is a film of the tour which can be viewed in our Resource Room. To ensure availability it is advisable to book in advance on 01206 282937 or bookings.information@colchester.gov.uk

Prisons

Access to the prisons is narrow. The doorway into the outer prison area is 73.5cm wide. The doorway into the prison is 61cm wide.

An audio-visual film of the prison experience is shown in this area for those who are unable to access the prisons.
Resource Room

The Resource Room on the first floor of the Castle Museum is a multi-purpose room created for use by individuals or small groups, by prior arrangement.

Book on 01206 282937 or bookings.information@colchester.gov.uk

This room can be used for:

• viewing the accessible vaults and roof tour film
• viewing the film of the prison audio-visual experience 
• viewing Virtual Colchester on the standalone PC - there are various items of equipment to make use of the computer easier 
• viewing the Schools Story tour

The room has good wheelchair access and has been furnished to suit users with a range of disabilities.

Access information for visitors with visual impairments

There are nine Exploration Points around the galleries with touchable replica objects and audio description via a handset. The tour covers Colchester's history from the Stone Age through to the Tudor period.

There are also various other hands-on interactive and sensory experiences throughout the museum.

Object handling sessions on a one-to-one basis or for small groups can be arranged in advance. To discuss to discuss your needs and arrange a session please contact our Access Officer Sophie Weaver on 01206 506937 or sophie.weaver@colchester.gov.uk

Guide and Helping dogs are welcome.

Access information for visitors with hearing impairments

There are three films with subtitles and British Sign Language:

• The vaults and roof tour - this can be viewed in the Resource Room on the first floor. To ensure availability of the room, please book in advance on 01206 282937 or bookings.information@colchester.gov.uk
• The prisons - this can be viewed in the prisons display area or alternatively in the Resource Room, booked in advance on 01206 282937 or bookings.information@colchester.gov.uk
• Boudica's Revenge - shown on the first floor galleries

There are hearing induction loops in the following audio-visual areas:

• Siege of Colchester 
• Prisons 
• Boudica's Revenge

There is also an induction loop fitted in the Charles Gray Room on the 1st floor for events and seminars.

We provide British Sign Language interpretation at selected events. Please see our events section for details.

If you have any further access queries please contact our Access Officer, Sophie Weaver on 01206 506937 or sophie.weaver@colchester.gov.uk