Explore our marvellous museums

Throughout the county there are many magnificent museums which hold free and low-cost events and activities for all the family. Here we highlight some of our favourite museums that explore the county’s heritage, they’re perfect for a wet and windy day.

Housed in the former Manor Street School, Braintree Museum manages the districts heritage and regularly hosts exhibitions, events and activities for schools, groups and visitors. The museum features Braintree’s archaeology, industry and craftsmanship, with exhibits and artefacts that were discovered in the local area. There’s a dedicated area for Crittall Windows and exhibits that focus on the importance of both the Courtauld and Warner textile firms to the town.

www.braintreemuseum.co.uk

Chelmsford Museum

Featuring archaeology, biology, fine art, geology, industrial, military and social exhibitions, along with a cabinet of curiosities, Chelmsford Museum in Oaklands Park has a wide range of objects and displays covering thousands of years of the city’s history and is a jewel in the county’s museums crown. Visitors can take a break from the exhibitions with a visit to the Hive Café in the Victorian House - the café’s located in the original drawing room.

www.chelmsford.gov.uk/museums

Colchester and Ipswich Museums

With three museums to choose from there’s much to see in Britain’s newest city. Colchester Castle offers interactive displays, exhibits and all daily tours are led by expert guides. You may even be taken down into the Roman vaults or up onto the castle roof.

Visitors can enjoy 300-years of history in this Georgian townhouse via hands-on exhibits at Hollytree’s Museum. Explore Bernard Mason’s collection of Colchester clocks or learn about the origins of the lullaby ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star’, which was written in Colchester.

Housed in the former All Saints Church is the Natural History Museum. Featuring exhibitions and interactive displays, visitors can learn about local wildlife habitats, biodiversity and climate change at this family friendly and much loved museum.

www.colchester.cimuseums.org.uk

Epping Forest District Museum

Housed in a beautiful listed Tudor building in Waltham Abbey, and a recent winner of the VisitEngland ‘Hidden Gem’ award, Epping Forest District Museum provides a fascinating day out. The museum has a vast collection, including a woolly mammoth tusk and the ancient Waltham Abbey Bible and much more.

www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/museum

Saffron Walden Museum

An award winning museum with archaeology, natural and social history galleries with treasures like Samurai armour, Saxon gold and an Egyptian Mummy. Their current exhibition ‘A Sense of Place’ runs from now until Sunday 29 October and features the work of over 50 local artists and makers and explores the people, places and landscape of Uttlesford.

www.saffronwaldenmuseum.org

Southend Museums

With four venues - a museum, hall, priory and a planetarium - there’s much to see and do at Southend Museums. View the Roman and Anglo-Saxon burials which were discovered in Prittlewell, Southend, at Central Museum or explore the night sky at the Southend Planetarium. Visitors can also visit Prittlewell Priory or view over 2,000 artworks at the Beecroft Art Gallery ranging from 17th century Dutch paintings to contemporary works.

www.southendmuseums.co.uk