Heritage Open Day: A walking tour of the oldest buildings of Colchester's Victorian military garrison. Learn why the Cavalry and Royal Artillery Barracks were built, view the remarkable architecture and learn the stories of those soldiers who were based at Colchester. In 1855/56, on land between Military and Mersea Roads, the Army built wooden huts and the Garrison Church for infantry destined for the Crimean War. The government soon decided to construct a permanent military garrison on land south of the town centre, so in 1862 they erected cavalry barracks. This was followed by the building of artillery barracks in 1874 and brick infantry barracks which replaced the wooden huts in the 1890s.