24 July – 31 October 2026 | An unmissable experience
Visitors to Colchester Castle are invited on a breathtaking journey beyond Earth this summer, as internationally acclaimed artist Luke Jerram’s Museum of the Moon arrives from 24 July to 31 October 2026.
Following the huge success of Jerram’s previous installations at the Castle – Gaia (Earth) and Mars – this latest exhibition offers audiences a rare and intimate encounter with our closest cosmic neighbour. It is an extraordinary opportunity to visit the Moon yourself, right inside one of Essex’s most historic landmarks.
A Striking and Immersive Experience
Suspended within the Castle, Museum of the Moon features a giant, illuminated sphere measuring six metres in diameter, created using high-resolution NASA imagery of the lunar surface. At a scale of approximately 1:600,000, every centimetre of the sculpture represents six kilometres of the moon’s surface, revealing intricate details rarely seen by the human eye.
Accompanied by an evocative surround sound composition by composer Dan Jones, the installation transforms the Castle into a space for reflection, wonder and shared experience.
An Experience for All
Luke Jerram is renowned for creating artworks that bring people together, regardless of age or background. Museum of the Moon continues this vision by offering a welcoming and inclusive space for visitors to gather, explore and connect.
Visitors are encouraged to slow down, spend time beneath the Moon, and experience it in their own way—whether that’s learning about lunar science, enjoying the atmosphere with family and friends, or simply lying back and taking it all in.
Plan Your Visit
📍 Location: Colchester Castle
📅 Dates: 24 July – 31 October
🕒 Opening Times: 10am – 5pm Mondays to Saturdays, 11am – 5pm Sundays.
🎟️ Tickets & Information: Tickets are available to purchase now. Admission will include access to the Castle Museum where you can dive into 2,000 years of history while marvelling at the majestic Museum of the Moon.
For this special installation, there is a small additional charge on top of standard Castle admission. This helps support exhibition costs, loans and conservation work. When booking online, this is added as a small fee (£1 per person or £3 for saver tickets). For tickets bought in person, a £1 charge is added per ticket.
Don’t miss this rare chance to stand beneath the Moon and experience its beauty up close – right here in Colchester. Find out more.
An unforgettable opportunity to visit the Moon yourself.
Councillor Darius Laws, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Environment and Heritage, said: “Colchester is the City that gave the world Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star and so it is fitting this summer we host the Museum of the Moon in the Castle. With Artemis II putting the Moon back in the spotlight earlier this year, there’s never been a better time to experience the Moon for yourself right here in the city. It’s a brilliant, awe-inspiring experience for all ages – and something you really won’t want to miss.”
Artist Luke Jerram said: “I am delighted to be bringing my artwork back to Colchester Castle and this time visitors will get to marvel at the moon. Around the world, people have their own historical, cultural, scientific and religious relationships to the moon. And yet somehow, despite these differences, the moon connects us all.”