These are dozens of excellent museums across Essex. You may also want to visit our Art Galleries in Essex page.

Larger Museums

Chelmsford Museum
Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, CM2 9AQ
As well as all the old museum favourites, there is a Bright Sparks gallery devoted to Chelmsford’s unique industrial heritage,the Essex Regiment Museum, an Essex Yeomanry display, community life galleries, art displays and a large temporary exhibition space.
Essex Days Out Tips : we visited in February 2011 and were impressed – click here for the article and pictures. However, since our trip all those years ago, the museum has been complelty re-developed, and its on our long list of places to revisit
museum website

Colchester Castle Museum
Castle Park, Colchester, CO1 1TJ
“A visit to Colchester Castle Museum takes you through 2000 years of some of the most important events in British history. Once capital of Roman Britain, Colchester has experienced devastation by Boudica, invasion by the Normans, and siege during the English Civil War.”
museum website

Combined Military Services Museum
Station Road, Maldon, CM9 4LQ
“The aim of the Combined Military Services Museum is to display artefacts from Britain’s proud military history, for the education and enjoyment of both present and future generations. The museum is fully air conditioned and the collections are kept in high quality display cases, providing a comfortable experience for visitors and a stable environment for the preservation of the artefacts”. Open Wed-Sun 10:30-5:00 term-time, and every day during school holidays.
Essex Days Out Tip : we visited in February 2011 and had a great time! Click here for our article and video.
museum website

East Anglian Railway Museum
Chappel & Wakes Colne Station, Colchester, CO6 2DS
“The East Anglian Railway Museum is a Working Museum dedicated to preserving the history of railways in the Eastern Counties. Open every day between 10am and 4:30pm (or Dusk if earlier), on certain days special events take place, where you can have unlimited rides on the Museum’s preserved Steam and Diesel Trains, we also hold regular Day Out With Thomas Events, also the popular Chappel Beer and Cider Festivals.”
Essex Days Out Tip : read our article about our visit in February 2015
museum website

Epping Forest District Museum
39 – 41 Sun Street, Waltham Abbey, Essex, EN9 1EL. 01992 716882.
Based in a building dating back to 1520, the Museum closed in 2014 for a multi-million pound refurbishment, and re-opened in March 2016. Click here for our article about the new museum..
museum website and their regularly updated blog

Hollytrees Museum
High Street, Colchester, CO1 1UG
“Enjoy 300 years of history through hands-on exhibits and displays with fun and humour in mind. Look out for the dolls’ house, it’s a model of Hollytrees House. Discover what family life was like for the rich and the poor people. Hear the stories of those who lived and worked in Hollytrees, a beautiful Georgian town house built in 1718.”
Essex Days Out Tip : next door to Colchester Castle Museum and Park, and over the road from the new firstsite, if you’ve got the stamina, you could spend hours in these three excellent art and museum locations.
museum website

Mangapps Railway Museum
Southminster Road, Burnham on Crouch, CM0 8QG
Phone: 01621 784898
“Mangapps Railway Museum is a privately owned working railway and museum established on a farm at Burnham on Crouch, Essex. It features a ¾ mile standard gauge passenger carrying line, with restored stations, signal boxes and ancillary equipment removed from various sites throughout East Anglia and beyond. To operate the line the Railway has 18 steam and diesel locomotives and over 80 carriages and wagons, some of considerable historic and technical interest.”
museum website

Munnings Art Museum
Castle Hill, Dedham, Colchester CO7 6AZ
Well, if you think John Constable was a good painter, just wait until you visit here to see Alfred Munnings paintings! The museum owns the largest collection of art works by this prolific East Anglian painter and former President of the Royal Academy (1944-1949), who lived and painted at this house for many years.
more details

Museum of Power
Hatfield Road, Langford, Maldon, CM9 6QA
“The Museum of Power, set in seven acres of grounds and housed in the Steam Pumping Station at Langford in Essex , exhibits and demonstrates working examples of power sources of all types and chronicles the major roles that they have played in history.”
Essex Days Out Tips : try and get there when Marshall, their huge Lilleshall steam engine is operating. Watch the video on our article about a visit to a Steam Day.
museum website

Prittlewell Priory
Victoria Avenue, Southend on Sea SS2 6NB Free entry – check website for summer & winter opening.
The restoration of the Priory is now complete and it has reopened to the public. This stunning Grade 1 listed building tells the story of its former residents from the Cluniac Monks in the 13th Century to the Victorian Scratton family, the last people to live in this wonderful home. Read our article about our visit to the Priory.
website

Royal Gunpowder Mills
Beaulieu Drive, Waltham Abbey, EN9 1JY
“There is a detailed exhibition on the ground floor of the main building. Upstairs there is a cinema showing a film about the history of explosives manufacture. The film last for 15 minutes and is followed by a 5 minute pause to allow a change of audience. You can visit other buildings containing exhibitions of vehicles used for explosive transport. A former water tower, now known as the wildlife tower provides a view across the site and a description of the plants and wildlife.”
Essex Days Out Tips : The Royal Gunpowder Mills now hosts the ‘Secret Island’ with lots of children’s activities throughout the year.
museum website

Southchurch Hall Museum
Southchurch Hall Close, Southend on Sea, Essex. 01702 467671.
Southchurch Hall museum is housed in the half-timbered medieval manor house, which dates to the early 14th century. Priority is given to school parties. Read our article about our visit to Southchurch Hall.
website

Southend Central Museum
Victoria Avenue, Southend on Sea, SS2 6EW
Phone: 01702 434449 Email: museums@southend.gov.uk
“Home to collections of local and natural history and archaeology. It has a changing programme of exhibitions and events throughout the year. Entry to our exhibitions and building is free.” Read our article about our visit to Southend Museum.
museum website

Smaller Museums

Bata Heritage Centre
Bata Heritage Centre, East Tilbury Library, Princess Avenue, East Tilbury, RM18 8ST
Opening times : Tue/Thu 10-1 and 2-5, Sat 10-1.
A reminiscence and resource Centre which houses the memories of the people who have been a part of this BATA Shoe Company community. The museum provides a fascinating insight into Bata’s social history and Community spirit, with exhibits, displays, photos and videos, Bata’s own weekly newspaper and more.
more details

Bishops Stortford Museum
Rhodes, South Road, Bishop’s Stortford
The museum tells stories of 19th Century Southern Africa and the intertwined history of Bishop’s Stortford, Sawbridgeworth and surrounding villages on the Hertfordshire/Essex border. It is a part of the Rhodes Centre
museum website

Boxted Airfield
Langham Lane, Langham,Essex,CO4 5NW
Opening times: 10.00 am to 4.00pm on the lst Sunday of each month from March until October 2013 inclusive.
Part of the Boxted airfield – one of the most important American airfields during the 2nd World War. There is a developing display of artifacts and displays and there are special events throughout the year.
website

Braintree Museum
Manor Street, Braintree, CM7 3HW Open 10am-4pm Tuesday-Saturday
At Braintree Museum the story of the Braintree District and its diverse industrial and cultural history unfolds.The museum’s main exhibitions focus on the textile and manufacturing industries of Courtaulds, Warner & Sons and Crittalls, with additional displays of Castle Hedingham pottery, the work of the Great Bardfield artists, and Essex straw and lace.
museum website

Brentwood Museum
Cemetery Lodge, Lorne Lane, Brentwood, Essex, CM14 5HH. 01277 218854
“Brentwood Museum is housed in a picturesque 19th century building once a sexton’s cottage, and although small it offers a fascinating insight into Brentwood life in the early part of this century, with an exciting collection of social and domestic objects dating from around 1840-1950.” Opening hours : afternoon of the first Saturday and Sunday of the month, and lunchtime on the first Monday of the month, between April-October). Also monthly evening talks.
museum website

Brightlingsea Museum
1 Duke Street, Brightlingsea, Essex, CO7 0EZ. 01206 303286
Limited opening – Easter to September : Saturday 10-4, and Sunday/Monday 2-5)
more details

Burnham on Crouch & District Museum
Coronation Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex CM0 8AS
Opening hours 2.00pm until 5.00pm Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, and Bank Holidays from Easter to the end of November and every day during the school holidays (except Winter)
A collection of exhibits, displays and archive material relating to Fishing, the Oyster Fishery, Farming and Agriculture, Boat Building and the local Iron Foundry as well as more homely items, showing how people in the area used to live.
museum website

Castle Point Transport Museum
Housed in the historic former Canvey & District Bus Depot. The Castle Point Transport Museum is home to over thirty old and rare buses and coaches alongside vintage commercial, military and emergency vehicles. The display has vehicles from the 1940s to the 1990s,and also has a wide range of transport memorabilia and costumes on display.
Open 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month in April, and every Sunday in August.
museum website

Clacton History Room
2nd Floor, Clacton Library, Station Road, Clacton
The Clacton & District Local History Society has a small museum which is open from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. every Tuesday and Saturday with free entry. The Society was formed in 1985 to research, record and promote the history of Clacton & District, and they meet on the third Wednesday of each month, 7:30pm in the Welcome Room, Pier Avenue Baptist Church, Clacton with a guest speaker. Membership is £12.50 per year. This gives free entry to all meetings. Non-members are welcome to meetings for £2.00.
website

Colchester Roman Circus Centre
Camp Folley North, Colchester
The foundations of the Roman ‘Circus’ (the chariot-racing track) in Colchester were finally found in 2004, and now there’s a small centre devoted to telling you all about it.
Essex Days Out Tip : read our article about the grand opening in March 2015
museum website

Colne Valley Railway
Castle Hedingham, Essex CO9 3DZ
A pretty heritage steam railway set in the North Essex countryside with lots of rolling stock and family activities. You could visit Hedingham Castle at the same time for a really full day out. Opening times vary, there is a timetable of steam days and events throughout the year. Check their website before setting out to see what is happening.
Essex Days Out Tips : It’s under threat of closure/moving in early 2015, so get there this summer!
museum website

Earls Colne Heritage Museum
The Old Water Tower, Earls Colne, Colchester
Open: Easter until October: Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday: 2:00 – 4:00pm and November until Easter Saturday and Sunday:2:00 – 4:00pmm
This small museum tells the story of the village of Earls Colne and the surrounding rural area. There is a programme of exhibitions and events. It is in an old water tower which was once a part of the Atlas Works – a foundry in the 19th and 20th centuries
museum website

Essex Fire Museum
Grays Fire Station, Hogg Lane, Grays, RM17 5QS
A small museum run by a dedicated goup of volunteers. On display are a collection of fire appliances from hand drawn pumps to more modern equipment. The exhibits and displays show the development of fire fighting in Essex. There’s also a collection of documents and artefacts illustrating the fire services work during the 2nd World War. The museum can be visited by appointment – contact Tel 01375 379167 or email: roger.pickett@essex-fire.gov.uk
museum website

Essex Police Museum
Kingston Crescent, Chelmsford, CM2 6DN. website
Open: Saturday 10am-4pm and in school holidays Wednesday 10am-4pm
The Museum holds objects and archival material relating to the history of the force from 1840 including personnel, disciplinary and other records, together with more general documents and a large photographic collection.
museum website

Essex Regiment Museum
Oaklands Park, Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, CM2 9AQ
Admission charges:free. Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday, 10.00am – 5.00pm. Sundays (Summer) 2.00pm – 5.00pm, (Winter) 1.00pm – 4.00pm
The Essex Regiment Museum is housed in a new extension at the Chelmsford Museum. There are displays on the history of the Regiment and its modern successor, the Royal Anglian, and includes the famous ‘Salamanca Eagle’, captured from the Napoleonic French army in 1812. The Regimental archive is held at the museum. Click here for our article, with lots of pictures, from our visit in 2015.
museum website

Frinton’s Crossing Cottage, Garden and Railway Museum
Frinton Crossing, Frinton, Essex.
Opening times: Easter to mid-October coffee mornings every Tuesday morning from 10:00am to 12:00pm, and every third Tuesday of the month during the rest of the year. Admission is free of charge (donations are always greatly appreciated!)
One of a number of heritage centres and museums run by the Frinton and Walton Heritage Trust. Once occupied by the crossing keeper of the railway gates, today Frinton’s Crossing Cottage houses a selection of artifacts and archive material that tell the story of the local area. Situated in a well-maintained cottage garden, with a wildlife area. Events and exhibitions throughout the year.
website

Great Dunmow Museum
The Maltings, Mill Lane, Great Dunmow, Essex, CM6 1BG. 01371 878979.
The museum was opened in 2001 and is located in the town centre. The museum records aspects of the social history and economic development of Dunmow and the surrounding area.
website

Halstead Heritage Museum
Mill House, The Causeway, Halstead
Opening hours: Sunday: 13:30 to 16:30 & Wednesday: 13:30 to 16:00
The museum opened in 2012. Displays and exhibitions include: transport through the ages, the history of Courtaulds, a look at the famous Victorian stove manufacturers Portway and various artifacts from Halstead and surrounding villages.
website

Harlow Museum
Muskham Road, Harlow CM20 2LF
The Museum located in the former Mark Hall stables, linked with the Mark Hall Manor House. It is surrounded by the beautiful Walled Gardens. The four main Galleries tell the story of Harlow over four periods: prehistoric days, the Roman era and the middle ages to the story of how modern Harlow was designed and built
website

Harwich Lifeboat Museum
Old Lifeboat House, Harwich
Currently closed.

Harwich Maritime Museum
The Low Lighthouse, Harwich
A small collection in the delightful Low Lighthouse. Limited opening (weekends in the summer we believe)

Harwich Museum
Anglia House, Main Road, Harwich, CO12 3FN
The Museum and Lighthouse Tea Bar are open every day for most of the spring, summer and autumn seasons and Thursday to Sunday during the winter months, except for December and January when the Museum is closed.
more details

Havering Museum
High Street, Romford, RM1
Wednesday to Friday: 12 noon to 5pm. Saturday: 11am till 5pm. (Check their website for winter opening hours)
Havering Museum is on part of the site of the old Romford Brewery. It tells the story of Havering’s past and celebrates the achievements of the people who have lived there. Events and exhibitions are held throughout the year
website

Jaywick Martello Tower
The Jaywick Martello tower was built as part of the east coast defences during the Napoleonic Wars. It is now an art gallery and community facility which supports creative collaborations relating to the themes of Community, Heritage and Environment that affect our lives today.
Essex Days Out Tips : One of a string of Martello towers – why not start a walk from Clacton and see how many you can pass – Martello bagging rather than Munro bagging.
website

Leigh Heritage Centre
High Street, Old Leigh
Two old cottages and the old smithy have been saved from redevelopment and now houses the centre. An atmospheric little museum and well worth keeping an eye open for on a trip to Old Leigh.
more details

Little Baddow History Centre
Chapel Lane, Little Baddow, CM3 4BE
Opening times: January & February by appointment, March – December: Tuesdays 10am – noon, Wednesdays 2 – 4 pm Thursdays 10am – noon Sundays 2 – 4 pm
This small but vibrant history centre and museum tells the story of Little Baddow and the people who have lived there. The story is told through the photographs, pictures, documents and artefacts that make up the village history collections. Collections of artefacts and documents and newspapers telling the story of the village. .
website

Maldon Museum
47 Mill Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HX. 01621 842688.
Maldon Museum exhibits items directly related to the District, whether they are domestic, industrial, natural or manufactured, discovered locally or collected from afar. The Maldon Museum is housed in an Edwardian building, formerly known as the Park Keeper’s Lodge and stands near the main gate to the Promenade Park. Limited opening hours.
Read our article, with pictures, following our visit in April 2015

Manningtree Museum
Manningtree Library, High Street, Manningtree
Wednesday: 10.00am – 12.00pm, Friday: 2.00pm – 4.00pm, Saturday:10.00am – 12.00pm
A small one room museum displaying artefacts telling the story of Manningtree
website

Mersea Island Museum
High Street, West Mersea, Colchester, Essex, CO5 8QD. 01206 385191.
The reconstruction within the museum of a typical weather-boarded fisherman’s cottage provides an interior display centred on a Victorian coal-fired kitchen range, with adjoining facilities for washing clothes using old-fashioned manual equipment. Children are welcome, with puzzles and quizzes available. (limited opening hours)
website

Natural History Museum
opposite Castle Park, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1TJ. 01206 282939.
Housed in the unique setting of the former All Saints Church in 1957, the Museum focuses on the rich natural heritage of north-east Essex.
website

North Weald Airfield Museum
Ad Astra House, Hurricane Way, North Weald, Essex, CM16 6AA. 01992 523010.
Open every Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays from early April till the end of November – 12noon till 5pm.
North Weald Airfield Museum is all about people. It’s about the service personnel and civilians, who have lived, worked, flown, fought and died here since the airfield opened in 1916. The museum sets out to tell their story of a famous airfield that has protected London during two world wars. The story is told in displays, with photographs, artefacts and personal memories.
website

Peter Edwards Museum and Library
Essex Cricket, The County Ground, New Writtle Street, Chelmsford
One for the cricket enthusiasts among you. A very specialised small museum. The permanent displays mark the progress of Essex County Cricket Club over the years and, from time to time, special exhibitions are mounted. The library contains a vast collection of cricket books – and not just about Essex.
Opening Times All match days (apart from evening Twenty20 games) or by appointment.
website

Purfleet Heritage & Military Centre
Centurion Way, Purfleet, RM19
Housed within Magazine No.5 of what was once the Royal Magazine for Gunpowder, situated on the banks of the River Thames, the Centre houses a wide range of historical artifacts and memorabilia relating to the history of the magazines and local area dating from 18th Century to present day, these include Thames Board Mills, the Purfleet Rifle Range, Van den Burgh and Jurgens margarine factory, the author Bram Stoker (Dracula), brewer Samuel Whitbread and the Royal Family connection are all represented.
website

Queen Elizabeth Hunting Lodge
Rangers Road, Chingford, E4 7QH. 020 8529 6681
There are three floors. On the ground floor, there is a colourful and fascinating display of Tudor foods and replica kitchenware. The upper floors are particularly remarkable for their good views over Chingford Plain and Epping Forest and also provide displays on Tudor carpentry joints and costume.
website

Rayleight Town Museum
First Floor, 91 High Street, Rayleigh
Open Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 10am to 4pm.
“Local History Group ‘Rayleigh Through the Looking Glass’ have over time acquired a significant number of Rayleigh related artefacts, such as postcards, maps, books, ephemera and much more. These have been displayed at a number of regular exhibitions held in the town but they now have a permanent home for all to see, enjoy, and learn about our Town’s history. ”
more details

Rayleigh Windmill
Bellingham Lane, Rayleigh, Essex SS6 7ED
Open:April to September Wednesday 10:00 – 1:00pm, Saturday 1:00 – 4:00pm, Sunday 1:00 – 4:00pm Entry is free
A Grade II listed building which is more than 200 years old. There is a museum, an exhibition space and information about Rayleigh Mount.
website

Saffron Walden Museum
Museum Street, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB10 1JL. 01799 510333.
Saffron Walden Museum opened in 1835. With wide-ranging collections, from moccasins and mummy cases to mammoth tusks and Wallace the lion, it still contains much to “stand awhile and admire”. This award-winning, “friendly, family-size museum” is open 363 days a year.
Essex Days Out Tips : only a couple of minutes walk from the pretty market square – make sure you pop into the museum and the nearby Bridge End gardens when you visit Saffron Walden
website

Sandford Mill
Sandford Mill Road, off Chelmer Village Way, Chelmer Village, Chelmsford, CM2 6NY. 01245 475498.
“Sandford Mill is Chelmsford’s old waterworks, situated on the River Chelmer to the south of Chelmer Village. In the waterworks buildings Chelmsford Museums Service stores its industrial collections and archives, but Sandford Mill is much more than a museum store.”
website

Southend Pier Museum
Marine Parade, Southend On Sea, Essex, SS1 1EE
01702 614553 / 611214.
To locate the Pier Museum entrance visitors should go into the station and walk to the right of the railway tracks. The Museum will bring back fond memories for some and will be a brand new experience for younger generations. Climb aboard an original 1949 train and remember days gone by. We have pictorial displays, working penny slot machines, an original Toastrack tram and much more. It’s fun, it’s a great way to learn and it’s out of the rain when we get a traditional English summer!
website

Stow Maries Aerodrome
The aerodrome was built by the RAF during the 1st World War, and was then abandoned in 1919. Having been mostly untouched since then, it has been recently been undergoing extensive restoration work by a committed group of enthusiasts. There are several public events throughout the year – like the amazing Armed Forces Open Day we went to in 2015. But they don’t have regular opening hours, so check their website for more information.
website

The Naze Tower
The Naze Tower is an historic landmark, on the Naze at Walton on the Naze. it was built as part of the Napoleonic defences and is now an art gallery spread over eight floors, with a tearoom and viewing platform with panoramic views
website

The Time Machine
LeisureZone, Second Avenue, Harlow CM20 3LH.
Visit the Time Machine in Harlow – an amazing hands-on gallery for Science and Technology with over 50 amazing exhibits to play with and enjoy. There are also great exhibitions with links to history and inventions which change every few months.
website

Walton Maritime Museum
East Terrace, Walton (right on the seafront behind the beach huts)
Limited opening hours: 2pm to 4pm Easter Bank Holiday weekend, both May Bank Holiday weekends, and daily 2:00pm to 4:00pm) from 1st July to 30th September.
A museum telling the maritime and seaside holiday story of Walton on the Naze. The collection includes former lifeboats, an ex-RNLI boarding boat, information on the men who sailed them, and artefacts charting Walton’s colourful history as a seaside town.
website

Warner Textile Archive
Warner’s Mill, Silks Way, Braintree, Essex. CM7 3GB. 01376 557803.
“Located at Warner’s Mill, Silks Way, the Warner Textile Archive is of national importance, but its roots are firmly in Braintree. The archive is a unique record of the history of textile manufacture and design since the 18th century.”
(nb limited opening times : Weds 10:00 -16:00, and every first Sat of the month)
website