The WWIII Nuclear War Bunker for Essex
by PeterVancouver
The former 'Essex Command Centre' in the event of a nuclear war is set in it's original 14,000sq ft bunker half above and half below ground. As you explore this once secret place, sound effects, storyboards,3 Cinemas and Videos along with tons of original equipment, transport you back to the days of the 'Cold War' when Britain stood prepared for a nuclear attack. There are many rooms and passageways to explore and you can also visit the huge two level 'Operations Centre'. The museum is historically accurate and is suitable for all the family to visit.
There is a Free car park & toilets and access for the disabled and there is a gift shop/cafe and picnic site. For Kids there is a 'Secret Quiz Trail' and there is an adjacent playpark.
For Groups/clubs/societies/coaches or groups of friends, you can arrange a GUIDED GROUP TOUR & there is a full Guided 'Evening Tour' available with our dynamic 'Nuclear Attack Show'. located at Crown Building, Shrubland Road, Mistley,
Directions:
Mistley is approx 10 miles NE of Colchester . Take the A137 out of Colchester and just beyond Lawford, turn onto B1352. Shrubland Road is about 500m east of Mistley stn on the B1352
The largest nuclear bunker is also in Essex, and can be found on :
http://www.secretnuclearbunker.com/
It is located at Kelvedon Hatch on the A128
The Dutch Quarter
by alucas
The Dutch Quarter is a historic area of Colchester situated to the north of the High Street. A large number of Dutch refugees fled from Flanders to Colchester around 1575. A lot of the refugees were weavers, and they set up a community in Colchester in this area where they lived and worked. Many of their houses survive today in their original unspoilt state, and extensive restoration has been carried out to preserve this Conservation area.
Englands Oldest recorded Town
by PeterVancouver
The rich history of this town dates back well over 2000 years and much of the information of its development can be found at the museum at Colchester Castle Although evidence shows that an early settlement was started on the site of modern day Colchester as early as 7th century BC.
At the beginning of the 1st century AD King Cunobelin ruled over South-East England from the then capital Camuloduniun, today known as Colchester. Queen Boadicea, and her tribe, swept down against Colchester in AD60, at the time the Romans' main colony in Britain. It was weakly defended - partly because the British had previously ambushed and killed 1,500 Romans who were marching to reinforce the town. Its tiny garrison held out for two days but when it fell there was wholesale destruction and slaughter. The layer of ash left by the massive fires can still be found on archaeological digs.
Little is known about Saxon Colchester, from remaining records it appears there was very little settlement in the area during this period.
Towards the end of the 11th century, a large castle was built in the town, on the foundations of the old Roman temple. It was built a result of the Norman invasion and much of it still stands today.
During the English civil war, Colchester fell to the Parliamentarians after an 11 week siege.
Matthew Hopkins, known as the Witchfinder General, was one of the most notorious figures to emerge from the 17th Century. His headquarters were in Colchester and in two years, from 1644, he was responsible for the deaths of at least 300 people, all supposedly witches.
The town was on the main defence line, should the Nazis have had attacked via the Essex coast. During the second world war the garrison town of Colchester was under serious threat from the Nazis and was bombed on a number of occasions.
The largest loss of life was a raid which caused Severals Hospital to be bombed killing 38 people.This was followed in September 1942 by bombs falling on South and Essex Streets killing 8, and in February 1944, an extensive incediary bombing of the Paxman factory which made and repaired deisel engines for tanks, and St Botolphs area which destroyed two thirds of the Paxman Brittania Works. These works were closed in 1982 and the building was demolished in 1987. On a corner of the site, on the east side of St Botolph's Street, a crankshaft from a 1946 Paxman RPH engine now stands on a plinth as a reminder of the old Britannia Works.
Today Colchester is Britain's oldest recorded town and much evidence from previous settlements remains. Recent archaeological finds have revealed much about Colchester's past and the people that once inhabited the area. Most of the finds from recent years can be found at Colchester Castle Museum.
Colchester
by joanj
This large park is adjacent to Colchester Castle, and has plenty of space for picnics, there is a duck pond, gardens, and wide open spaces to just stroll around. It is very peaceful.
photo joanj
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Orang Utan
Rear of the castle
Giraffes and Zebras
Display about "Twinkle, twinkle, little star"
