Mini Museum Explorers is back! After a summer break, we’re returning on Tuesday, 30 September at Hollytrees Museum with a session all about the winged wonders of the natural world. From birds and insects to flying mammals, we’ll be asking: do they fly, or do they glide?

Did you know that stone arrowheads found in medieval times were thought to be “Elf darts,” shot from the sky to kill cattle. 🐮 Discover how folklore explains the unexplained in Mythical Creatures at Colchester Castle: colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/events/mythical-creatures

Ah, the curious case of the middle-aged baby Jesus in medieval art! This artistic choice, which might seem a bit odd to modern eyes, actually has roots in both the cultural and philosophical context of the time.

Possessions of the Roman dead from Boudica’s destruction of Camulodunum AD60. These cabinets in ColchesterCastle, site of the Temple of Claudius & last stand of the Roman colonists, are a poignant cenotaph @colmuseums.bsky.social #Echolands -A Journey in Search of Boudica #BoudicaFriday #FindsFriday

The rare 'mythical explanation is less awesome'

Do you think you could tell how old a bottle of wine is just from the container? The history of the shape of wine bottles is quite interesting, reflecting changes in technology, transportation, and wine consumption habits over centuries. Take a look at some of the ones we have here at the museums.

When you can't grow a beard, but your muttonchops are 👏on point 👏 He may not have been a beard grower, but local lad Benjamin Revett Cant could sure grow some things - especially roses. Born in 1827, this chap was a whiz at growing and creating new types of roses.

What we have here is a fine example of a dole cupboard from the late 16th century, crafted in oak—a popular and durable wood during that period. Dole cupboards were used in churches to store bread for the poor, hence the name "dole," which means a charitable gift of food.

This relic, a pair of "stocks," illustrates a time when education tightly linked with discipline, often literally. Used to restrain feet, sometimes with a backboard, it enforced posture in schools. It highlights the progress in understanding children's needs and fostering development.

A palm nut from the Seychelles once drifted ashore, mistaken for a mermaid’s bottom. Its Latin name? Callipyge, meaning “beautiful rump.” See it and more in Mythical Creatures, Colchester Castle: colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/events/mythical-creatures

Did you know that Wormingford, Essex, was named for a dragon sighting in the 1300s? Some say it was just an escaped crocodile. Find out the full story in Mythical Creatures, now on at Colchester Castle: colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/events/mythical-creatures

It’s not every day you get invited to play the same organ that has accompanied Colchester’s Oyster Feast for over a century. For Heritage Open Days, the Moot Hall’s organ will be on full, glorious display, and for the first time, under the hands of the new City Organist, William Saunders.

Ammonite fossils were once sold as “snakestones.” In Whitby, collectors even carved snake heads onto them to sell to tourists. 🐍 From sea creatures to serpent stones: discover the myth in Mythical Creatures at Colchester Castle: colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/events/mythical-creatures

Tucked away in Castle Park, perched quietly at the edge of a raised terrace, stands a perfect little slice of 18th-century ambition. Gray’s Summer House, built in 1731, is part folly, part political statement, and entirely worth a closer look.

Diggers in 200 BC thought they’d found giant people in North Africa. Turns out: mammoths! See more fossil-inspired legends in Mythical Creatures at Colchester Castle: colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/events/mythical-creatures

Before streaming and playlists, there was the Gem Roller Organ. Just turn the crank, and the pinned roller inside would coax lively tunes from its reeds. Swap the roller, change the song.

By the 1780s, fashion in Britain was a careful balancing act between display and etiquette. This silk gown and matching petticoat, made from costly striped silk embroidered with delicate feathers, was the sort of ensemble that announced both taste and means.

Belemnite fossils were once thought to be thunderbolts fallen from the sky. In reality, they’re the remains of ancient squid relatives, over 66 million years old! Discover these and other objects in Mythical Creatures at Colchester Castle: colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/events/mythical-creatures

Before smartphones shrank our lives into the palm of a hand, there were gadgets like this: the 1990s electronic organiser. Made by Boots and boasting a then-impressive 12KB of memory, it was a pocket-sized command centre for the busy professional, student, or serial list-maker.

Ancient Greeks told tales of the Cyclops, a one-eyed giant. But elephant skulls, with a large cavity for the trunk, may have inspired the story. One fossil. A giant misunderstanding. Meet the Cyclops in Mythical Creatures at Colchester Castle: colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/events/mythical-creatures

You can hang out a lot, but it ain’t for reachin’ stuff.

Hidden behind the High Street, ivy spilling over its Norman tower, St Martin’s looks like it stepped straight out of a gothic novel. But this medieval church has a history rooted in Colchester's real, and sometimes violent, past.

This 1880s green silk bodice once belonged to a woman for whom dressing was a daily act of precision. Made by Tarn & Co. of Newington Causeway, London, it reflects the era’s appetite for luxury and structure.

Got a little one’s big day coming up? Why not make it an unforgettable experience at Colchester Castle! With bespoke tours, arts and crafts, and a private game space, it’s the perfect party for kids aged 5-11.

In Suffolk, flint sea urchin fossils were called “fairy loaves.” Leave one by the fire, and folklore promised your household would never go hungry. Discover folklore in stone at Mythical Creatures inside Colchester Castle: colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/events/mythical-creatures

Can you help us solve this mystery for #ThrowbackThursday? This aerial view from the early 20th century shows a mix of terraced houses, factory roofs, and fields beyond. We think it's Colchester, but where exactly? Give us your guesses and help us pin down the spot!🔍🗺️

Dragons in legend: fire-breathing beasts, or guardians of treasure? Meet the dragon in Mythical Creatures, now at Colchester Castle. 🐉 Would you fight it… or befriend it? #MythicalCreatures #ColchesterCastle

Colchester Castle gets all the attention, but Holy Trinity Church was here first, by nearly 100 years. Tucked behind the High Street, it’s the town’s oldest surviving building, with an Anglo-Saxon tower built around AD 1050 using Roman rubble from the earlier city.

There’s plenty to discover at Colchester Castle this week. Step inside, explore the past, and enjoy a week packed with fun for all ages! 🔗 colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/events

#Alphabetchallenge #WeekGforGlass Stunning roman glass vessels @colmuseums.bsky.social

I want to swoosh about in this 😊💜

This grey silk satin dress from 1865 speaks to a moment when fashion was in flux. The wide skirts of the mid-Victorian era were beginning to give way to the bustle silhouette, but fullness at the back was still a mark of elegance.

Once upon a time, in a castle not-so-far away… a tiny fairy came to visit. Wand in hand, wings sparkling, she found herself face-to-face with a dragon. Thankfully, this dragon was more “hello there!” than “here be danger”, and the two seemed to get along splendidly.

Funny, I’ve often referred to my own as Devil’s toenails.

It does feel kinda British folklore to imagine the devil himself sitting on some Essex promontory paring his stony toenails with a knife sharp enough to cut fate.

British folklore called these fossils Devil’s toenails: gnarly oyster shells up to 200 million years old. They might not belong to the Devil, but they’re still ancient, strange, and wonderful. Spot them in Mythical Creatures at Colchester Castle: colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/events/mythical-creatures

Spent some time thinking about the Roman Empire yesterday at @colmuseums.bsky.social. Some very nice pieces in the castle!

Looking for something magical to do in the school holidays? Join us today or tomorrow for Mission Mythical! Young adventurers aged 5–10 can enjoy a unicorn-themed tour, hands-on craft and a story session with a special keepsake to take home.

From quiet crossroads to busy roundabouts! Our #ThrowbackThursday challenge is Shrub End, where Straight Road, Gosbecks Road and Shrub End Road meet.

Can you place this peaceful #ThrowbackThursday scene? A dusty track, smart hats, and a church spire rising above a sleepy crossroads… but look closely. There’s something that might just jog your memory. 👀

Dragons. Unicorns. Griffins. Mermaids. All under one roof at Colchester Castle. Mythical Creatures is now open – a story quest through medieval legend. 📅 26 Jul 2025 – 22 Feb 2026 🎟 Included in Castle admission Plan your visit: colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/events/mythical-creatures

The holidays are officially in full swing, and Colchester Castle is bursting with mythical mischief, costumed chaos, and unicorn quests this week! Whether you're after dragon tales or historical hijinks, there's something for everyone. 📲 Full details at: colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/events

Tucked away at the Hythe, St Leonard’s has watched over Colchester’s port district since the 14th century, through storms, skirmishes, shipbuilding, and the slow churn of the River Colne. For Heritage Open Days, the church will be open on both Saturdays, offering a glimpse inside this survivor.

Rainy day? Come meet dragons at Colchester Castle! ✨ Crafts, games & stories for ages 5–10 🕒 Today at 3 PM 🎟️ £6.50 per child | £1 per adult Tickets still available – book now or check in at reception! colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/events/mission-mythical

From gothic shopfronts to golden arches: this #ThrowbackThursday photograph is Colchester High Street, seen from outside the Town Hall, past and present! Today, the view is a little different, but look closer and you’ll spot familiar details that have stood the test of time.

Can you guess where in Colchester this #ThrowbackThursday scene was snapped? This historic view even hides a secret underground! Do you have any guesses about what used to be on this very spot? Check back this afternoon for the full reveal! ⏳

Serving 1930s country chic with a side of ventilation, this women’s summer hat is made from artificial horsehair (also called crin), which gives wearers that breezy, floaty look without sacrificing structure.

This mythical creature exhibit opened today at Colchester Castle: www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/2534225... #folklore #folkloring #mythical #fantasy #mythicalbeasts #colchester

Fancy a day out steeped in grandeur? There are still a few spaces left on the Friends of Colchester Museums trip to Audley End House and Gardens on Thursday 4 September, and for once, you don’t need to be a member to join!