About

The Town Hall site has been the focus of civic duties for more than 800 years. Colchester's first Town Hall, called the Moot Hall was built in 1160. The second Town Hall was built in 1844 and was a three-storey structure with a stone faced front.

John Belcher designed the present Town Hall, which was chosen after a competition in 1897. Building work began in 1898 and the building was opened by the Earl of Rosebery in May 1902.

The building design is Baroque and the 162ft Victorian tower was presented by industrialist James Paxman with a statue at the top of St Helena, Colchester's patron saint. The Moot Hall function room houses a custom built organ by Norman and Beard. The Old Library function room, originally Colchester's first town centre public library was designed by Brightwen Binyon of Ipswich in 1894. The Council Chamber has a glorious painted ceiling showing a classical description of the twelve months of the year and the two stained glass windows depicting the Roman history of the Borough.

The Town Hall contains outstanding function rooms that are still used for their original civic purposes and are also available to hire for functions and weddings. The building is open to the public, unless there are any civic or private events taking place. If you would like arrange a group tour of Town Hall with a Blue Badge Guide please contact the Mayoral Officer on 01206 282206 or mayor@colchester.gov.uk

The building is also open on Heritage Open Days.