Like many attractions up and down the country Colchester Castle has had to make some adjustments to its offer in order to provide a safe and welcoming space in the wake of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. We popped over on the morning of 23rd July, it's first day back opening, to see what changes have been made and what you can expect from your visit.
The first thing we noticed was a new entry point at the end of the bridge manned by a (somewhat camera shy) museum assitant. Since entry numbers are limited pre-booking is encouraged- and those that have a slot will be waved straight through. But if you're just turning up on the off-chance you may be required to wait a short while. The museum assistants are all very friendly though and will advise how long the wait is. (There's plenty more to explore in Colchester if you find yourself with some time to kill!)
As you head into the Castle you'll need to pay for entry, or show your resident pass. You'll discover a clear queuing system to keep you socially distanced from any other customers, and due to the limited numbers we don't imagine it will get too busy at this point. Don't worry if it does - there's the entire length of the bridge to queue along so plenty of space for social distancing!
There's large screens around the cashiers and you'll start to notice the clear one way sytem marked on the floor, so it all feels very safe from the moment you step inside.
Regular visitors to the Castle will feel at home straight away. The one way route is very intuitive and follows the natural flow of the exhibits and Castle layout. There are a few interactive elements such as dressing up clothes that have been taken off display, for obvious reasons, but several other interactive features have safely remained in place. You'll find clear information on the changes as you make your way around marked out by red or green signage accordingly.
If it's your first visit to the Castle you're still bound to have a fantastic experience. Some of the smaller rooms (like the prisons) now have to be queued for in order to manage social distancing, but you can still access the vast majority of the spaces just as you normally would.
Overall the whole experience remains fantastic. Changes due to coronavirus are minor, but very clear, and it certainly feels a safe and welcoming environment. We're looking forward to a few more visits with our families over the summer hoidays.
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