St Botolph's Church and Priory
Priory Street, Colchester, Essex, CO2 7EE
Today, all that remains of St Botolph's Priory is the ruined nave of the church. This was the first Augustinian priory in Britain, built between 1100 and 1170. At the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 1530s, the priory became a parish church and was badly damaged during the Civil War Siege of Colchester in 1648. Although ruined, the church continued to be used for burials in the 18th and 19th centuries. Several tombs are still visible, including those of Dr Roger Nunn (1783-1844), the first doctor to work at Colchester's earliest hospital in 1820, and William Warwick Hawkins MP (1816-68) an Essex railway builder. In the churchyard is a memorial to Capt. Jesse Jones (1788-1868) who was wounded at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.
In 1836-7, a new church in the Norman revival style was built by William Mason (1810-97), who was born in Ipswich and later emigrated to New Zealand. The church was altered in 1882 when the chancel was enlarged. The interior retains its galleries, and there is an imposing memorial to William Hawkins (d. 1843) with a life-size female figure representing Hope. The building has recently been partially restored.
The Priory is now in the care of English Heritage and managed by Colchester City Council. The Church is in regular use for Anglican worship.
Timings & Tours
- Friday 06 September:
- 1000-1500
- Saturday 07 September:
- 1000-1500
- Sunday 08 September:
- 1000-1500
- Tuesday 10 September:
- 1230-1500
- Thursday 12 September:
- 1000-1500
- Friday 13 September:
- 1000-1500
- Saturday 14 September:
- 1000-1500
- Sunday 15 September:
- 1000-1500
Location & directions
Priory Street, Colchester, Essex, CO2 7EE
- Directions:
- St Botolph's Church and Priory are located next to Britannia Car Park, but can also be approached on foot from Priory Street. Colchester Town Railway Station is 5 minutes walk away.
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
Most areas fine for wheelchair access, but slopes in places in the Priory ruins.
