Colchester Town Hall

Colchester Town Hall, built in 1898 by John Belcher, is an impressive example of free classical architecture, featuring a rich design in red brick and Portland stone. The building stands three storeys tall, with the lowest storey faced in stone and a central entrance flanked by carved brackets that support a balcony above. Three pairs of engaged Corinthian columns extend through the first and second storeys, holding up two segmental pediments and one triangular pediment. Above the triangular pediment is a large coat of arms that breaks the balustrade at the roof. Statues in high relief are positioned between the windows of the second storey.

The Victoria tower, located on the return, rises above a pair of bay windows and reaches a height of 162 feet, topped by a statue of St Helena. The lower stage of the tower is constructed of brick, while the upper part is made of stone and features elaborate details, including four bronze ravens and four stone figures representing Fishery, Engineering, Military Defence, and Agriculture. One of the bells in the building is from the Old Town Hall, which dates back to around 1400.