Essex Museums

BRAINTREE
Braintree District Museum
Housed in a converted Victorian School features the history of Braintree area, featuring local textile companies and other leading companies..
Manor Street, Braintree. Tel: 01376 325266
Website Admission Charge.

CHAPPEL
East Anglian Railway Museum
Open-air museum at Chappel and Wakes Colne station with a collection of rolling stock, locos and other railway artefacts. Two working signal boxes.
Chappel Station, Colchester. Tel: 01206 242524. Open all year except Christmas Day.
Website Admission Charge.

CHELMSFORD
Chelmsford Museum
In the Victorian Oaklands House the Museum was founded in 1835 It tells the story of Chelmsford including archaeological and local history and industry. Includes Ice Age mammal bones, Bronze Age metalsmith, finds from the roman town of Chelmsford and Colonel CromptonÕs Medals and much much more.
Oaklands Park, Moulsham Street, Chelmsford. Tel: 01245 615100
Website Admission FREE.

CHELMSFORD
Essex Regiment Museum
The story of the countyÕs regiment since 1741 Museum also keeps a database of Regiment personnel.
Oaklands Park, Moulsham Street, Chelmsford. Tel: 01245 615100
Website Admission FREE.

COLCHESTER
Colchester Castle Museum
At Colchester Castle you can “see, hear, touch and discover” 2000 years of history. The home of the Museum which houses Colchester’s history is historic and unique itself, being the largest Keep built in Europe by the Normans. Built on the foundaton of the Temple of Claudius nearly two thousand years ago. The Roman vaults can still be visited and the museum houses one of the finest collections of Roman archaeology in Europe.
Castle Park, High Street, Colchester. Tel: 01206 282940
Website Admission charge. Last admission 4.30pm

COLCHESTER
Hollytrees Museum
Ideal museum for all the family. A special room dedicated to childhood and with the theme of a large playroom, giant snakes and ladders incorporated into the floor, a crawling tunnelÉ even a time out area for toddlers.
Audio and hands-on activities and experiences throughout the entire building. YouÕre your own Victorian silhouette, try out a dolly peg or dress up asa a servant. A fantastic dolls house which is a scaled down model of Hollytrees House, dsigned so that visitors, including children can play with it.
Pushchair and wheelchair friendly throughout..
East Hill, Colchester. Tel: 01206 282940
Website Admission FREE.

COLCHESTER
Natural History Museum
Centering on the rich natural heritage of north-east Essex this museum takes itÕs visitors from the open sea through the salt marshes and beach to the urban environments and into their own back gardens. Hands-on exhibits, video-microscope where you can see beasts you never knew existed. Fun, entertaining and educational..
High Street, Colchester. Tel: 01206 282941
Website Admission FREE. Well-stocked shop.

COLCHESTER
Tymperleys Clock Museum
Make time to step back in time and visit the 15th Century timber framed house, once the home of William gilbert Ð scientist and physician to Queen Elizabeth I. The house is now home to Colchester fine collection of clocks and watches. Exhibits include the Bernard Mason Collection, one of the largest collections of clocks in Britain.
Trinity Street, off Culver Street East, Colchester. Tel: 01206 282939
Website Admission FREE. Open April Ð October.

SOUTHEND
Southend Central Museum & Planetarium
Displays of locl history, geology and wildlife, including special sections on the Thames Estuary and Victorian life.
Building also houses Wouthend Planetarium, the only planetarium outside of London. Sit back and enjoy a 40-minute tour of the Universe.
Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea. Tel: 01702 434449.
Website
Admission: Museum FREE. Plantarium: Charge.

SOUTHEND
Southchurch Hall
14th Century moated manor house with Tudor extensions in a small park. The main room is set out as a medieval hall c1400, other rooms are themed in Eliazbethan and Jacobean styles. The kitchen and bedroom depict Victorian life.
Southchurch Hall Close, Southend-on-Sea. Tel: 01702 467671
Website
Admission FREE.

SOUTHEND
Prittlewell Priory Museum
12th Century Cluniac Priory with later additions set in parkland. The buildings house a collection of old tvs and radios.
Prittlewell Priory, Priory Park, Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea. Tel: 01702 324878
Website
Admission FREE.

SOUTHEND
Southend Pier Museum
The story of the worldÕs longest pleasure pier, starting in 1829 and tracing itÕs life thru itÕs disasters, entertainment, war years and boats. Includes some of the famous trains to run on itÕs pier railway.
Southend Pier (Shore end) of Western Esplanade, Southend-on-Sea. Tel: 01702 614553
Website
Admission Charge.

WESTCLIFF
Beecroft Art Gallery
Opposite the Cliffs Pavilion the Art Gallery is home to a fine collection. Highlights are 17th Century Dutch and Flemish works as well as Victorian and 20th Century artists.
Station Road, Westcliff-on-Sea. Tel: 01702 347418
Website
Admission FREE.