MuseumsEssex

The Thameside Aviation Museum has been based at Coalhouse Fort since 1984 but started life many years earlier in 1974 under the name of The Essex Historical Aircraft Society with our first excavation being carried out in August 11th of that year, on Hawker Hurricane P3518 of 257…

North Weald Airfield Museum is situated at what was the main entrance of the famous Battle of Britain Fighter base ‐ RAF North Weald, near to the Essex town of Epping and easily accessible from London. Adjacent to the still very active airfield, from which on most summer…

The Central Museum is situated in Victoria Avenue, and houses the main offices of the Museums Service, together with the Planetarium and principal artefact store. The Central Museum was opened in April 1981, in a magnificent Edwardian library building, Southend's first free public library, designed by H.T. Hare…

A large post mill on 4 floors, restored to working order. Fascinating wooden and iron machinery and fantail. Subject to wind, guided groups may be able to see sails turning.Admission: Free. Fee for guided tours adult £2, child £1.50, minimum fee £25.00.Open April‐September last Sunday…

Museum and exhibition centre with a Victorian classroom, permanent 'Threads of Time' exhibition relating to textile heritage, a small apothecary's garden and natural history gallery. Craft shop. Fully accessible. Art gallery is adjacent.Admission: £2.00. Concessions for Braintree District residents.Open Mon‐Sat & Bank Holidays 10am‐5pm.…

19th Century lock up and 16th century charity cottage housing agricultural and domestic artefacts from 19th & 29th Centuries, plus rural crafts such as straw‐plaiting and corn‐dollies. Cage situated in Bridge Street.…

An extremely impressive 180ft 60m diameter circular fort built in 1808 to defend the port of Harwich against a Napoleonic invasion. It is the only such example open to the public. Eleven guns sit on the battlements. Eighteen casements below would house 300 troops in siege conditions. Part…

This is the largest private toy museum in the world, offering visitors a nostalgic trip back to childhood. The 80,000 exhibits include dolls and dolls' houses, puppet theatre, trains, action men display, and moving meccano. The Museum broadened its scope of interest by adding rock'n'roll, film and…

This award‐winning friendly family‐size museum welcomes over 20,000 visitors a year, including families, groups, researchers and over 5,000 school children. It stands in an enclosed grass meadow, suitable for picnics, with the ruins of the 12th century Walden Castle in the grounds. The local and social history…

Southchurch Hall museum is housed in the half‐timbered medieval manor house, which dates to the early 14th century. The house was restored in the late 1920s, having been purchased by Thomas Dowsett and presented to the town for use as a museum or library. For many years the…

There is a magical not-so-far away land where you can ride upon dragons, be sucked into a Vortex, come face to face with Beelzee Bob, ride the rapids on the Raging River, witness the fury of the Paraoh, in fact everyday a new magical adventure./pp/ppWe are easy to…

Barleylands Farm Centre is accessed from our large, free car park. Children of all ages can meet and feed our friendly farm animals, ride the mini tractors around the farm and let off steam in the adventure play area. /pp/ppCome along and visit the chicks in the hatchery,…

The largest antiques centre in Essex. Five interesting old buildings housing over 70 antiques dealers in antiques and crafts. On the banks of the River Crouch in a picturesque hamlet, with tea-rooms and 18th Century pub. Visits to the Classic Motor Cycle Museum on Sundays…