Colchester Roman Circus Visitor Centre

06/10/2026

🏛️ Reconnecting Roman Britain 2026

Join us in Colchester on Saturday, 14 November 2026 for a one-day conference exploring new research, discoveries, and ideas about Roman Britain, generously sponsored by The Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies and the Roman Research Trust.

🎟️ Strictly advance ticket only
🥪 Light lunch and refreshments included
📍 Lion Walk Church, Colchester

Places are limited and going quickly so book now:

👉 https://reconnectingromanbritain2026.eventbrite.co.uk

15/09/2026

Join Colchester Archaeological Trust at the Colchester Roman Circus Visitor Centre for the final talk in our 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬 series and discover how archaeology can uncover not only moments of catastrophe, but the stories of the people who lived through them.

🎟 Only a few tickets remain, so book now to avoid missing the final event in the series.

Key event details:
📆 Wednesday 16 September
🕖Doors open 6.45pm | Talk starts 7.30pm
📍Roman Circus Visitor Centre, Roman Circus Walk, Colchester CO2 7GZ
🎟 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-house-in-crisis-who-buried-the-fenwick-treasure-tickets-1989394614846?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
😀 Don't forget cash for our regular raffle!

Imagine the scene: AD 61. As Boudicca's forces descended on Roman Colchester, a family hurriedly hid their gold and silver beneath the floor of their home. ✨

𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥.

Centuries later, archaeologists uncovered this remarkable hoard alongside the burnt remains of food and household items left exactly where they fell as the building burned. Together, these discoveries offer a rare glimpse into the lives of ordinary people caught up in one of Britain's most famous historical events.

Join us for the final talk in our 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬 series and discover how archaeology can uncover not only moments of catastrophe, but the stories of the people who lived through them.

🎟 Only a few tickets remain, so book now to avoid missing the final event in the series.

Key event details:
📆 Wednesday 16 September
🕖Doors open 6.45pm | Talk starts 7.30pm
📍Roman Circus Visitor Centre, Roman Circus Walk, Colchester CO2 7GZ
🎟 Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-house-in-crisis-who-buried-the-fenwick-treasure-tickets-1989394614846?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

14/09/2026

𝗔 𝗵𝘂𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝘀!

We were delighted to welcome a fantastic number of visitors through our doors and to share the story of the Roman Circus and Roman Colchester with so many people.

As an educational charity, opportunities like this are especially important to us. Free entry events help ensure that local heritage remains accessible to all, allowing more people to engage with the archaeology and history of our city, regardless of background or circumstance.

We are particularly proud to support initiatives such as Heritage Open Days, which encourage public access to heritage and help connect communities with the places and stories that make Colchester unique. It was wonderful to see so many visitors exploring the Visitor Centre, discovering our latest exhibition, chatting to the people who made the town model and learning more about Roman life in Britain in general.

A special thank you goes to our volunteers whose enthusiasm and support helped make the day such a success.

We look forward to welcoming you back soon and to offering more opportunities for people to experience and enjoy Colchester's remarkable heritage.





Visit Colchester
Heritage Open Days
Colchester Archaeological Trust

10/09/2026

🎉 Free Entry This Saturday at the 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞 🎉

As part of 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐬, we're joining historic attractions across Colchester in opening our doors free of charge this Saturday!

🏛️ Explore the stories of Britain's only known Roman chariot-racing circus and discover more about Colchester's fascinating past.

✅ No booking required
✅ Free entry
✅ Just turn up and enjoy

Why not make a day of it and visit some of the other fantastic Heritage Open Days venues across the city, including 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐞, 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐲𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐮𝐦, 𝐉𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐨 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 and 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥?

For full details of all participating locations and opening dates, check the link https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/

📍 Roman Circus Visitor Centre, Roman Circus Walk, Colchester CO2 7GZ
📅 Saturday 12 September 2026, 10am - 4pm
🎟️ Free Entry









Visit Colchester
Colchester Museums

03/09/2026

Join Quattro Amici for an evening of easy-listening classics from opera, operetta, musical theatre and classic pop. The acclaimed quartet sing everything from Bizet to James Bond, via Sullivan and Cole Porter to Abba, Queen and The Beatles !

Tickets are now available for Quattro Amici at Roman Circus Visitor Centre, Essex on Saturday 19th September 2026. Click the link for further information and to secure your tickets now!

26/08/2026

08/07/2026

Delighted to be hosting this wonderful lecture series once again!

Tickets via the link below, buy now to avoid disappointment!
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/power-and-stone-eudo-dapifer-and-the-archaeology-of-norman-colchester-tickets-1989387506585?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

And remember cash for the raffle!

Howard will discuss Eudo Dapifer and the building of the castle, as well as the local context of Norman-period stone houses and churches.

18/06/2026

🏛️ THIS SATURDAY! 🏛️

Ever wanted to stand in the middle of Britain's only known Roman chariot racing arena?

The Roman Circus Visitor Centre is OPEN this Saturday, giving you the chance to explore one of Colchester's most remarkable hidden treasures. You might even spot a couple of Romans! 𓌝

Imagine the roar of 8,000 spectators, the thunder of racing chariots and the excitement of race day nearly 2,000 years ago. This wasn't just a sports ground, it was Roman Britain's biggest entertainment venue!

Plus, don't miss the temporary exhibition exploring the story of the Lexden Lady, one of the most fascinating discoveries from Roman Colchester. Learn about the life, status and burial of this remarkable woman whose grave goods have helped shed light on the region's rich and complex past.

Whether you're a history lover, looking for a family day out or you've lived in Colchester for years and never visited, this is the perfect opportunity to discover a truly unique piece of our city's story. Why not bring a picnic to enjoy on the site the ancient chariots raced? 🧺🥪

📍 Roman Circus Visitor Centre
📅 Open this Saturday 20th June, 10 am to 4 pm.
🎟️ Ticket: £5, under 11s FREE
🌐 https://catuk.org/romancircus/plan-your-visit/

Colchester is home to the only known Roman Circus in Britain, a site so rare that there is nothing else quite like it anywhere in the country😱

Tag someone who needs to visit this incredible site with you! 👇

08/06/2026

🍞🏛 Step Back in Time with The Travelling Baker 🏛🍞

Join fourth-generation Italian baker Giovanni Di Sarno for a unique journey into the world of Ancient Roman bread at the Roman Circus Visitor Centre, Colchester.

Discover the stories, ingredients and baking traditions behind three incredible historic breads once enjoyed in Roman times and taste them for yourself during the talk!

Born in Naples into a four-generation baking family, Giovanni is now a baking teacher and Bread Ambassador for the Real Bread Campaign, sharing traditional bread-making methods across Essex, Suffolk and London.

Set in Colchester (Roman Camulodunum), Britain’s first and largest Roman city, this is a perfect chance to experience history through food, culture and storytelling.

📍 Roman Circus Visitor Centre, Colchester, Essex
📆 Friday, July 3
⏰ 6 PM - 8 PM
🥖 Includes bread samples!

🎟 Book now on Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ancient-roman-breads-a-talk-and-tasting-with-giovanni-di-sarno-tickets-1989663971499?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
Ancient Roman Breads: A Talk and Tasting with Giovanni Di Sarno