WILLIAM GILBERD mosaic

There's a rather wonderful mosaic tucked away in Colchester that celebrates William Gilberd, the Tudor scientist and physician who basically invented the study of magnetism. If you're not already familiar with his work, that's probably fine - the mosaic itself is the real draw here, a striking piece of public art that brings this corner of Essex some unexpected cultural weight.

The mosaic sits somewhere between gallery work and street art, which means you can appreciate it without needing to book tickets or plan your day around opening hours. It's the sort of thing that rewards a bit of wandering around Colchester's town centre, particularly if you're the type who actually reads plaques and takes an interest in local history. Kids might find the story interesting if you explain who Gilberd was, though they'll probably be more engaged by the visual design than the science bit.

Colchester itself is just a short walk away, so this works nicely as part of a broader exploration of the town rather than a standalone destination. If you're based at one of the nearby caravan parks - Colchester Country Park is barely a mile and a half away - it's absolutely worth the trip into town to seek it out. Don't expect to spend hours here, but as a quick cultural pause during a park holiday, it's rather decent. The sort of thing that makes you feel pleased you found it, even if you stumble across it more by accident than design.