July is shaping up to be one of our biggest months of the year at Colchester Museums. From dinosaur skeletons and witchcraft workshops to trails, family activities and a giant Moon inside Colchester Castle, there's something happening almost every week: colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/events/

Among the more curious Roman burial finds are vessels known as tettinae. Small pots with narrow spouts and handles, they are often discovered in children’s graves. Their presence hints at the deep bond between parents and children, and the urge to provide care even after death.

Feeling a bit flat? That’s just a castle deficiency. Fix it at Colchester Castle with history, views, and an instant mood upgrade. 🎟️👑

What was life like in Colchester 2,000 years ago? 🧵

The Colchester Natural History Museum is in a converted medieval church, which means the architecture alone keeps it a few degrees cooler than the street. It's also free, and full of Essex wildlife specimens that make you quietly grateful to live somewhere that doesn't have anything too alarming.

Something fast, sleek and prehistoric is waiting beneath the waves this Fossil Friday… In today’s clip, Dr Chris McKean introduces one of the Jurassic’s most impressive ocean predators, and the story behind its discovery is just as striking as the fossil itself.

This morning’s #ThrowbackThursday location was The Minories Folly! The photograph by A G Wright shows the folly viewed from behind a wall, when the surrounding area was more functional. In today’s view, the setting has transformed into a greener, more welcoming garden space.

A #ThrowbackThursday structure caught in time… The foreground is rough, with stacked materials and an open yard giving a workaday feel. It looks like a tiny tower, but such buildings were often decorative garden follies rather than practical. Recognise this spot in Colchester?

Hollytrees is a Georgian townhouse with thick walls, high ceilings, and is never too busy. In this heat, that's basically a luxury amenity.

Here is an underrated hot-day fact: Colchester Castle was built on top of a Roman temple, which means the lower levels are naturally cool, thick-walled, and about three degrees colder than the car park.

When Twinkle Twinkle Little Star unexpectedly slaps 🎶 You know what to do. Come dance in the Childhood Gallery at Hollytrees.

Summer solstice today! The longest day of the year, with golden light stretching across Colchester Castle just as it has for centuries. History looks good in summer light.

Somewhere between 1700 and 1800, someone wore this waistcoat and looked, presumably, very well dressed indeed. The front is cream corded silk covered in a lattice of metal thread embroidery. Twelve bone buttons covered in cloth, shallow pockets. The kind of thing you'd wear to be seen in.

Did dinosaurs roam Essex… or are we missing a piece of the story? 🦖 This #FossilFriday, Dr Simon Jackson explores a 150‑million‑year‑old mystery and why Colchester might still have secrets to uncover… Watch to find out what could have been here, then come and explore the evidence for yourself.

The ‘Colchester Vase’ which was discovered in a Roman grave at West Lodge in Colchester during the mid-19th century. The vase was probably made in Colchester, and is now part of the collections at Colchester Castle. 📸 My own. #RomanBritain #ColchesterCastle

Lucas, along with George Lisle, was shot in Colchester's Castle Park on Fairfax's order, after surrendering in August 1648. There's a memorial on the site today. John Milton celebrated Fairfax's conduct of the siege, writing that 'Thy firm unshaken virtue ever brings / Victory home...'

Okay, do we all remember Charlie the Unicorn and how brilliant it is?? 🦄 here’s a refresher: youtu.be/CsGYh8AacgY

Today marks 194 years since the birth of twin sisters Hannah and Mary Ann Burder. Better known in Colchester as the “Old Hannahs” or “Silly Hannahs”, they became some of the town’s most recognisable Victorian characters.

This morning's #ThrowbackThursday building was Canterbury Road School, now known as St George's School, and still very much open for business in the New Town area of Colchester. It opened in 1903 to relieve pressure on Barrack Street Board School and address a shortage of school places.

It's #ThrowbackThursday and we've got a postcard for you. This one's from somewhere in Colchester between 1905 and 1910. The building is still standing, and it still has that rather eye-catching tower. Beyond that, we're saying nothing. Any idea where this is?

England plays its first World Cup match today ⚽ But football didn’t begin on the world stage. It began in places like this.

This week in 1648, Colchester was under siege. Royalist soldiers had taken control of the town, and by mid‑June Parliamentarian forces had surrounded it, cutting off supplies and escape.

Your brain will be quiet in a museum… right? 👀 Come and test that theory at Colchester Castle and see what actually happens… 👀 Plan your visit and find your next “wow” moment.

Of course you’ll have a look. Gift shop open daily at Colchester Castle. No judgement. 🏰

This silk brocade dress from around 1760 is more than fashion, it’s engineering. The floral patterns are woven directly into the silk using coloured threads and metal thread that catches the light.

Ever wondered what inspired the legend of the Loch Ness Monster? Watch our latest video with our curator Chris for clues about a real-life creature on display in Discover: Museum Wonders with four powerful flippers and a neck that could stretch for days.

The disembodied head is actually a remnant of an earlier Iron Age tradition, making this sculpture even more interesting. It shows a blend of the old ways and the new, after the Roman takeover of Britain in 43 CE. Was the person buried beneath a native to Britain who had adopted Roman customs?

Our #ThrowbackThursday location this morning was St James C of E School on Guildford Road, here in 1973 and as it looks now. The school is now known as St James the Great C of E Primary School and Nursery. The blue railings are new. The chimney, reassuringly, is not.

It's #ThrowbackThursday, and this one is from 1973. A Colchester building, still very much standing today, though it looks quite different now. The white fence has been upgraded, the shrubs have been tamed, and it has a rather more colourful frontage these days. Do you know where this is?

However you look at it, Colchester Castle never disappoints. Seen it from every angle yet?

Always nice when our collections, stories and county get a glowing review.

The modern Aquila game board has been photographed with the replica that is displayed in Colchester Castle Museum. Photo by Barbara Butler.

Rock‑solid proof that medieval stonemasons had a sense of humour. This carving is a Sheela‑na‑gig: a type of medieval figure found on churches and buildings, often thought to be apotropaic, symbolic, or deliberately provocative. Still raising eyebrows, several centuries set in stone. 👀

Proof that museum collections are full of surprises. Lobster people included.

Name starts with Jul-? Congratulations, you’re officially invited to meet Juliasaurus for free (weekdays in June). Bring photo ID. Timed tickets apply, so booking ahead is smart: colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/discover/

The Colchester Then & Now Project found this in the museum archive: Colchester High Street on the day of the Victory Parade, June 1946. Eighty years ago this month. The banner stretching across the street reads: "Thank God for Peace. Work for Prosperity."

Colchester residents in 1860 were not shy about sharing their views. This petition shows locals opposing plans to move the cattle market, with pages of signatures backing it up. Community debate in action, long before social media.

🦖 Volunteer with Discover! Since opening, the exhibition has been brilliantly busy, so we’re doing a second intake of Gallery Champions at Hollytrees Museum.

It's #FossilFriday! Our curator Dr Simon Jackson on Juliasaurus: a 75% complete, 150-million-year-old theropod making its very first public appearance and possibly a new species. Watch the video and come and see it at Hollytrees Museum.

This morning we asked you to guess this Colchester location and the answer is Bourne Mill! Sir Thomas Lucas built it in 1591 using stone left over from St John's Abbey, which his father had rather enthusiastically dismantled following the Dissolution.

It's #ThrowbackThursday and we've dug out another photo for you. Somewhere in Colchester, this has been sitting beside a pond for well over 400 years. The architecture is a bit of a giveaway if you know your local history, but we'll leave that with you. Can you name this Colchester location?

Colchester pals: sharing a lovely FREE event for Friday 5 June 💛 Love Colchester Celebrations at Firstsite (Lewis Gardens, Colchester), with a Beat the Street Colchester creative exhibition you can drop into any time, plus a Legacy Market and Festival. More info: beatthestreet.me/colchester

A handwarmer made from a king penguin, created in the 1800s. What was once a fashionable accessory now raises very different questions about nature, collecting, and changing values. On display in Discover: Museum Wonders: colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/discover/

Our apologies, we meant to tag @ancienthistory101.org here!

Ever wondered how museums decide what goes on display? 🏛️ Our Senior Collections & Learning Curator @benpaites.bsky.social recently spoke on @ancienthistory101.bsky.social, sharing how exhibitions are shaped, how collections are cared for, and why storytelling is at the heart of what we do.

There’s lots to discover this June across Colchester Museums! 🦖 Discover: Museum Wonders: running all month 🏰 First Thursday relaxed opening: 4 June 🧶 Calm at the Castle: 7 June

International Dinosaur Day is coming up, and it feels like the right moment to say: if your name starts with Jul, your weekday ticket is free all June. Photo ID required. Timed entry, so book ahead. Plan your visit here: colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/discover/

Massive thanks to @benpaites.bsky.social for this episode, which I think really does a great job of explaining how museums work, with the marvellous @colmuseums.bsky.social as a case study. NGL it made me slightly nostalgic for my FOH days...

Spotted in the wild!

Have you even been to the exhibition if you haven’t stopped in the gift shop?