Dearest revellers,
You are cordially invited to join us for our first Midsummer Night’s Ball on Saturday 28th June 2025.
Enjoy a magical night of dinner and dancing at the Rose & Crown Hotel in Colchester, with all profits going towards the creation of The Essex Witch Museum.
Will you be in attendance?
Key Information
| Event date: | Saturday 28th June 2025 |
| Running time: | 6pm to midnight |
| Venue: | Rose & Crown Hotel, Colchester |
| Dress code: | Fantasy formal |
Attendees aged 16+ are welcome, however those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Please bring ID with you.
We’ll be checking names off our guest list – there’s no need to bring a ticket or email.
Price
| Full Tickets: | £70 each |
| Group rate (7 or more tickets): | £65 each – use code MNB25 at checkout |
| Basic Tickets (without food): | £40 each |
| Full ticket sales end: | Friday 13th June 2025 |
Full tickets include:
- Keepsake event wristband
- Welcome drink of prosecco or orange juice
- 3 course meal
- 360 photo booth
- Music from live band and DJ
- Discounted hotel bedroom rates
- Entry into our costume contest
There’ll be chances to win some fantastic prizes on the night, too! You’ll be able to pay for these (and drinks at the bar) with cash or card, but we recommend bringing some small change with you.
Timings
| 6pm: | Welcome drinks and live music from Foxcub and the Big Red |
| 7pm: | Dinner served |
| 8pm: | Basic ticket attendees arrive |
| 8.30pm | Prize games and costume winners announced |
| 9pm: | Live DJ |
| Midnight: | Event ends |
Dress Code
Dress code: Fantasy Formal
Inspiration can be taken from stage and film; Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo + Juliet, Ever After, A Knight’s Tale etc.
The general concept is formal wear (e.g. a suit or gown) with a fantasy twist such as elf ears, fairy wings, crowns, or masks.
You are welcome to bring props such as wands, staffs, or fake swords (wooden or foam). Please do not bring props with metal blades or points into the venue.
You are invited to lean into the theme as much or as little as you wish, although there will be prizes for the best dressed.
Venue and Travel
Best Western The Rose and Crown Hotel
East Street
Colchester
Essex
CO1 2TZ
The Rose & Crown Hotel is a stunning 14th century building, and is rumoured to have some resident ghosts!
The Rose and Crown Hotel is a 20 minute walk from Colchester Town train station, a 15 minute walk from Hythe train station, or a 20 minute walk from Osborne Street bus stops.
There are 35 free parking spaces on site, including 2 disabled spaces, which are first come first served. There is also free on-street parking from 6pm-8am in the surrounding area. The nearest public car park is Priory Street Car Park, which is a 15 minute walk from the hotel.
Menu
A 3 course sit-down dinner is included in the full ticket price – you will need to make your selections at the time of booking. Options include:
| Starter: |
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| Main: |
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| Dessert: |
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If you have any dietary requirements, please ensure you write them in the dietary requirements box when booking your ticket.
df = dairy free, dfo = dairy free option, gf = gluten free, v = vegetarian, ve = vegan, veo = vegan option
Accommodation
If you’d like to stay on site, the Rose and Crown Hotel has 39 bedrooms available, and is offering discounted rates for attendees:
- £89 for a standard double room
- £99 for a standard family room
- £99 for an executive double/twin room
- £109 for a superior double/twin room
- £119 for a superior family room
- £129 for a four poster room
There are 3 family rooms, which can sleep up to 4 guests. There is also a family room which can sleep up to 5 guests. Single bedrooms sleep 1 guest.
The above rates include breakfast, served 7.30am to 10.30am. Breakfast options include full English, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and continental.
To book the discounted rate, you must contact the hotel directly and mention the Midsummer Night’s Ball. You will need to provide your full details; including address, email, and card details, to secure the booking.
Check-in is from 3pm and check-out is by 11am. Early check-in or late check-out may be possible, please contact the hotel directly to enquire.
Guests pay on the day of arrival, and bedrooms can be cancelled up to 24 hours prior to arrival.
Accessibility
- There is step free access from the car park and main entrance to the event area, which is to the left of the hotel reception.
- The main bar is to the right of the hotel reception, and there is a single step down. We are working with the hotel to provide a ramp for the evening.
- There are 2 disabled parking spaces on site, which are first come first served. We advise arriving early if you have reduced mobility, as the local area is hilly.
- There are 5 accessible bedrooms on the ground floor, including 1 with a wet room. The accessible bedrooms have a hearing circuit and the disabled bathrooms all have an emergency cord and grab rails.
- Almost all of the main bedrooms have both a shower and a bath. Two rooms only have a bath and eight only have a shower.
- None of the bedrooms have fridges, so please contact the hotel directly if you have specialist food or medication which requires refrigeration.
- The Rose and Crown Hotel only allows assistance animals such as guide dogs on the premises.
- Large font menus can be provided.
Photo Consent
Whilst we think you’ll all look fabulous, we understand that not everyone will be comfortable having their photo shared with others.
When booking tickets you’ll be asked if you, or your guest(s), would prefer not to have their photo shared with other attendees, on our website, our social media pages, or in local press.
If you don’t want your photo shared, it would be really helpful if you could give a brief description of you or your guest(s) and what you/they wear on the night.