St Botolph's Priory

Such a stunning hidden little gem of Colchester the best example of the ruins in my opinion with beautiful archways you can almost imagine the time ago here if you want a free authentic look at the times lost head over to this little known hidden beauty.

This is an interesting free English Heritage site you can explore. It was the first Augustine Priory in England.

Beautiful ruins to walk around and soak up the history. Leaves an impression on you as you inspect the stone work. Nice place to relax and unwind too.

Really wanted to visit some old buildings and ruins like this old priory. The minute I parked my car in Colchester and got out of the car, the nasty old urine smell comes to you. Even around these ruins, you smell it. Urgh. Loved the ruins but didn't like to spend too much time in this town due to the smell. Would have given more stars, but the smell ruined it all.

Beautiful and serene. Re-purposed Roman red bricks among the 11th century medieval stone. A great place to picnic too. Parking next door. Yet another parking app to pay though, but there is a payment machine that still accepts cards. Parking lot and Priory are in the old heart of Colchester and convenient for the castle, old town shops, railway station and much more. St. Botolph's Priory in Colchester, or "Colchester Priory," was a place of holy happenings and historical hijinks. Founded in the 11th century by those pious monks, it became a bustling hub of faith and fellowship. But alas, Henry VIII, that notorious relic repossessor, had his way during the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the early 1500s. The Priory fell from grace, its stones now echoing tales of the past. During the English Civil War, the Priory took center stage as a strategic stronghold. It was occupied by Royalist forces, those loyal to King Charles I. The Parliamentarians, led by Sir Thomas Fairfax, laid siege to the Priory in 1648. After a bit of back-and-forth, the Parliamentarians emerged victorious, and the Priory was left in ruins. Today, it's a peaceful place for contemplation, where history whispers among the remnants of a turbulent past.