Essex, maritime county in SE. of England; is bounded N. by Cambridgeshire and Suffolk, E. by the North Sea, S. by the river Thames, and W. by Middlesex and Herts; greatest length, N. and S., 44 miles; greatest breadth, E. and W., 57 miles; 987,032 acres; population 576,434. On the coast are several marshy islands, such as Canvey, Foulness, Wallasea, Mersea, &c. Essex is one of the Metropolitan shires, or ‘Six Home Counties’, and took its name from the East Saxons. It rests upon the London clay, and is watered by the Stour, Colne, Chelmer, Crouch, Thames, Roding, and Lea; the surface, flat near the coast and the rivers, is undulating and sometimes hilly towards the NW.; the soil is generally fertile. Wheat and barley of fine quality are largely grown in the NW. and the centre; the marshes on the coast have for the most part been drained and converted into fertile grazing lands. Essex had at one time a great extent of forest, which has almost entirely disappeared. Hainault Forest was disforested in 1851; Epping Forest was preserved by the Act of 1871. The county has no mineral wealth, with the exception of chalk for lime, septaria for Roman cement, and clay for bricks. Its manufactures are of no great extent — ironworks for the local supply of agricultural implements; crape, damasks and satins, &c. The Barking fishing smacks carry on an active industry; and there are very productive oyster beds in the estuaries of the Crouch, the Blackwater, and the Colne. Essex comprises 19 hundreds, 1 liberty, and 413 parishes, with parts of 3 others, the parliamentary and municipal borough of Colchester (1 member), the parliamentary borough of West Ham (2 members), and the municipal boroughs of Harwich, Maldon, and Saffron Walden. It is mostly in the diocese of St Albans.
– John Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887)
Audley End House & Gardens – English Heritage
Audley End
Saffron Walden CB11 4JF
Disabled access: Tel 01799 522842
Audley End House and Gardens is one of England’s grandest 17th century country homes with over 30 lavishly decorated rooms and magnificent grounds.
Bata Reminiscence & Resource Centre
East Tilbury Library, Princess Avenue
East Tilbury RM18 8ST
A self-funding organisation set up to collect the memories of people who have lived and worked within the British Bata Community at East Tilbury in Essex over the past 70 years. The collection has grown at an enormous rate and we now have a very large collection of artefacts and photographs dealing with this unique community.
Braintree District Museum
Manor Street, Braintree, Essex, CM7 3HW
Braintree CM7 3HW
01376 328868
www.braintreemuseum.co.uk
At Braintree District Museum the story of the district and its diverse industrial and commercial history unfolds. The Main Galleries examine the development of the area from prehistory to the 20th century, focusing upon the textile and manufacturing industries of Courtaulds, Warners and Crittalls, as well as displays of Castle Hedingham pottery, the work of the Great Bardfield artists and Essex straw and lace.
Brentwood Museum
Cemetery Lodge, Lorne Road, Warley Hill
Brentwood CM14 5HH
01277 224012
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.
Brightlingsea Museum
1 Duke Street
Brightlingsea CO7 0EA
01206 303286
www.brightlingsea-town.co.uk/history/museum.htm
A major display gives an insight into how the people of Brightlingsea lived in Roman times. From the evidence of central heating, glass in windows, decorated walls and the wide range of of kitchen and tableware found locally it would seem local residents enjoyed comfortable living.
Burnham-on-Crouch & District Museum
Coronation Road
Burnham-on-Crouch CM0 8HW
01621 783444
www.burnhammuseum.co.uk
The Burnham on Crouch and District Museum is situated on the Quay at the junction with Coronation Road. It is devoted to the history of the Dengie Hundred area.
Chelmsford Cathedral
New Street
Chelmsford CM1 1TY
01245 294489
www.chelmsfordcathedral.org.uk
This is one of the smallest cathedrals in England in one of the largest dioceses. The first church on the site of the present cathedral was founded (as was the town of Chelmsford itself) 800 years ago.
Chelmsford Museum
Oaklands Park, Moulsham Street
Chelmsford CM2 9AQ
01245 605700
www.chelmsford.gov.uk/museums
Chelmsford Museum first opened in 1835 in the governor’s parlour in Chelmsford Gaol, it has had a long and interesting history. The museum was taken over by Chelmsford Borough Council in 1906 and in 1930 it moved to a Victorian house, Oaklands, which is still its home.
Coggeshall Grange Barn – National Trust
Village Hall, Stoneham Street
Coggeshall CO6 1UH
01376 563003
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/coggeshall-grange-barn
A small local independent museum located in the centre of an historic market town.It is housed in the annexe to the village hall (formerly St Peter’s Hall) which was once a Coggeshall brewery.
Collections: The collection gives a good insight into the social history and local characters of this charming and ancient market town, from prehistoric times to modern day. There is a working wool weaving loom, a fine collection of Coggeshall lace and some of the earliest post-Roman bricks in Britain.
Colchester & Ipswich Museums
Museum Resource Centre, 14 Ryegate Road
Colchester CO1 1YG
01206 282931
Local Authority Museum Service serving Colchester and Ipswich.
Colchester Castle Museum
Castle Park
Colchester CO1 1TJ
01206 282939
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 (Boadicea), invasion by the Normans and siege during the English Civil War. Since the 16th century, the castle has been a ruin, a library and a gaol for witches.
Colchester Natural History Museum
All Saints Church, High Street
Colchester CO1 1DN
01206 282939
Did you know there was an earthquake in Colchester in 1884? Or that mammoths and hippos used to roam around here? If you didn’t and you want to find out more, come to the Natural History Museum. 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. Travel from the open through the salt marshes and beaches to the more familiar urban environments of the park.
Colne Valley Postal History Museum
In the grounds of: The Laurels, 109 Head Street
Halstead CO9 2AZ
A privately owned postal history museum in the heart of East Anglia. The collection has been built up over a number of years by one man and now comprises more than 70 ex-British Post Office letter boxes together with Stamp Vending Machines, documents and associated artefacts.
Combined Military Services Museum
Station Road, Maldon
Chelmsford CM9 4LQ
01621 841826
www.cmsm.co.uk
The Combined Military Services Museum is a state registered charity, which houses an independent collection of British military artefacts, from 16th century to present date. It contains key items from the Navy, RAF, Army and Special Forces.
Copped Hall Trust, The
Stables Courtyard, Copped Hall, Crown Hill
Epping CM16 5HS
Copped Hall is a fine Georgian mansion that is currently under restoration. It is superbly sited on a ridge overlooking its landscaped parkland.
Cressing Temple
Witham Road
Braintree CM77 8PD
01376 584903
Cressing Temple is a scheduled ancient monument in Essex, UK. The site has its origins in the 12th century, when it was the first grant land of land given to the Knights Templar in England.
East Anglian Railway Museum
Chappel Station
Wakes Colne CO6 2DS
01206 242524
www.earm.co.uk
The East Anglian Railway Museum is a living heritage site based at Chappel railway station. We are situated on the edge of breathtaking Constable Country and adjacent to one of the largest railway viaducts in Eastern England.
East Essex Aviation Society & Museum
Martello Tower, Point Clear
St Osyth, nr. Clacton-on-Sea CO16 8NG
07899 917144
www.stosyth.gov.uk/default.asp?calltype=museum
The East Essex Aviation Society and Museum has been housed in the historic Martello Tower at Point Clear since it opened in the summer of 1986. The Tower is one of the first built in 1805 to repel a Napoleonic invasion expected from France which never materialised. It is also one of the few Martello Towers still open to the public along the Essex coast.
Epping Forest District Museum
39 – 41 Sun Street
Waltham Abbey EN9 1EL
01992 716882
www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/museum
The museum, which opened in 1981, is located in a Grade 2 listed Tudor town house in the historic market town of Waltham Abbey. The service provides a range of exhibitions for the public.
Epping Ongar Railway
Station Road
Ongar CM5 9BN
01277 365200
www.eorailway.co.uk
Essex’s longest heritage railway and the closest to London, running from Ongar to North Weald and into Epping Forest. We run a fleet of former mainline steam and diesel locomotives which haul a range of period coaches between our beautifully restored period stations.
Essex Fire Museum
Grays Fire Station, Hogg Lane
Grays RM17 5QS
01375 379167
www.essex-fire.gov.uk/pages/index.asp?area=48
The Essex Fire Museum gives visitors the opportunity to take a fascinating look at the history of the Fire Service here in Essex. Housing a collection featuring historic fire engines, firefighting equipment, uniforms and photographs.
Essex Police Museum
PO Box 2, Essex Police Headquarters, Springfield
Chelmsford CM2 6DA
01245 457150
www.essex.police.uk/museum
The museum tells the story of the history of the police in Essex from the Victorians to modern day. Our aim is to preserve the history of Essex Police and expand public knowledge and awareness of the history of our police force by collecting, preserving, and displaying material relevant to the history of Essex Police.
Essex Record Office
Wharf Road
Chelmsford CM2 6YT
01245 244644
The Essex Record Office (ERO) is the county’s central repository for resources about the history of the county, its people and buildings. Information includes, contacts, opening hours on Wharf Road, research (genealogy), SEAX, and Searchroom.
Essex Regiment Museum
Oaklands Park, Moulsham Street
Chelmsford CM2 9AQ
01245 605700
www.chelmsford.gov.uk/museums
Two exciting permanent displays tell the story of the proud County Regiment of Essex.
Essex Society for Family History
c/o Essex Record office
Chelmsford CM2 6YT
01245 244670
www.esfh.org.uk
Aims to promote and encourage the public study of British family history, genealogy, heraldry, and local history with particular reference to Essex. Also to promote the preservation, security and accessibility of archival material.
Halstead Heritage Museum
Mill House, The Causeway
Halstead CO9 1ET
www.halsteadhistory.org.uk/halsteadmuseum.html
Current displays include transport through the ages, the history of Courtaulds, a look at the famous Victorian stove manufacturers Portway and various artefacts from Halstead and surrounding villages.
Harlow Museum
Muskham Road
Harlow CM20 2LF
01279 454959
www.science-alive.co.uk
The museum is located in the former Mark Hall stables, linked with the Mark Hall Manor House – visited on three occasions by Queen Elizabeth 1 and her retinue. It is surrounded by the beautiful Walled Gardens which were originally the kitchen gardens for the great house and the famous families which lived there. Our four main Galleries tell the story of Harlow over four periods: from recent times and the story of how modern Harlow was designed and built, through the Victorians, Stuart and Tudor times, reaching back through the middle ages to the remarkable Roman finds in the local area.
Haven Plotlands Museum
Essex Wildlife Trust Langdon Third Avenue, Lower Dunton Road
Basildon SS16 6EB
01268 419103
Our museum is located at the Essex Wildlife Trust Langdon Nature Reserve. The Haven Plotlands Museum is a 1930s bungalow and garden that shows what life was like for resident Plotlanders before the building of Basildon New Town.
Hollytrees Museum
High Street
Colchester CO1 1UG
01206 282 940
Enjoy 300 years of history through hands-on exhibits and displays. Look out for the dolls’ house, it’s a model of Hollytrees House.
Hylands House & Estate
Hylands Park, London Road
Chelmsford CM2 8WQ
01245 605500
www.chelmsford.gov.uk/hylands
Hylands Estate is a fantastic place to go in Essex. It is a stunning Heritage Venue set in 574 acres of parkland.
Jaywick Martello Tower
The Promenade, Belsize Avenue
Jaywick CO15 2LF
01255 822783
Jaywick Martello Tower is an arts, heritage and community space. The ground floor houses an exhibition on the history of the Tower, the first floor is a temporary arts space and the roof provides a reading room and replica cannon to help bring the tower to life.
Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker
To contact the bunker’s owners: Crown Buildings, Kelvedon Hall Lane, Brentwood CM14 5TL
Manningtree CM15 0LA
01277 364 883
The address above is a contact address for the owners of the bunker: Full directions to the site itself are on the Secret Nuclear Bunker website. The tour is self guided by personal handsets. This is included in admission price.
Maldon District Museum
47 Mill Road
Maldon 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. We hold a vast archive of artefacts from Maldon’s history.
Manningtree Museum
The Public Library, High Street
Manningtree CO11 1AB
01206 395548
A small local history museum covering Manningtree, Mistley, Lawford and Brantham in Suffolk as well as the lower River Stour.
Mersea Island Museum
High Street
West Mersea, Colchester CO5 8QD
01206 385191
The Mersea Island Museum is an independent museum established in 1976 and occupying purpose-built premises in the centre of West Mersea, just to the east of the parish church. The traditional local activities of fishing, oystering, wild fowling and boat building are represented.
Munnings Collection at Castle House, The
Castle Hill, Dedham
Colchester CO7 6AZ
01206 322127
www.siralfredmunnings.co.uk
Castle House, is the former home of artist Sir Alfred Munnings (1878-1959) and his wife Violet. The house, grounds, studio and garden café are set in forty acres of beautiful countryside in the Dedham Vale on the borders of Essex and Suffolk. This elegant Tudor and Georgian building is now home to the largest collection of paintings by the artist, who was President of the Royal Academy 1944-1949.
Museum of Power
Steam Pumping Station, Hatfield Road, Langford
Maldon CM9 6QA
01621 843183
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. The museum aims to provide an entertaining and educational environment in which to explore our use of power.
Naze Tower
The Naze, Old Hall Lane
Walton-on-the-Naze CO14 8HH
07966 776417
www.nazetower.co.uk
A truly unique visitor attraction located on an attractive stretch of coastline at Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex. This impressive 86ft octagonal tower, constructed in 1720 by Trinity House as a navigational mark to aid shipping is grade II* listed for unusual architectural interest.
North Weald Airfield Museum
Merlin Way
North Weald Bassett CM16 6AA
01992 523010
www.nwamuseum.co.uk
The museum will give you an insight into the history of this great airfield, the importance it played during wartime, the people involved, the planes etc.
Nottage Maritime Institute
The Quay
Colchester CO7 9BX
01206 824142
www.nottagemaritimeinstitute.org.uk
Institute for maritime skills and museum of local maritime heritage.
Old Chapel, The
Sacred Heart of Mary Girls’ School, St Mary’s Lane
Upminster RM14 2QR
01708 222660
www.theoldchapelupminster.co.uk
The Old Chapel was built in 1800 by Protestant Dissenters. It has been beautifully restored and is open for public to learn more about the history of the building and the local area with regular events and talks.
Paycocke’s – National Trust
West Street, Coggeshall
Colchester CO6 1NS
01376 561305
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/paycockes
Merchant’s house, dating from c.1500: * The finest variety of domestic Tudor architecture * Uncommonly intricate carved woodwork and panelling * Display of the renowned Coggeshall lace * Peaceful and attractive cottage garden.
Prittlewell Priory Museum
Priory Park, Victoria Avenue
Southend-on-Sea SS2 6NB
01702 342878
www.southendmuseums.co.uk/page/Visit-Priory
Prittlewell Priory was founded in the 12th century, and subsequently underwent a fascinating history under different owners before being presented to the town as a museum.
Rayleigh Windmill
Bellingham Lane
Rayleigh SS6 7ED
01702 318120
www.rochford.gov.uk/windmill
The Rayleigh Windmill is an award-winning tourist and educational attraction, and popular venue for weddings and civil ceremonies. It is a Grade II listed building more than 200 years old and contains an accredited museum, an exhibition space and information about Rayleigh Mount.
Redbridge Museum
Central Library, Clements Road
Ilford IG1 1EA
020 8708 2317
www.redbridge.gov.uk/museum
Redbridge Museum was opened in 2000. It is the community museum for the London Borough of Redbridge and explores the many different places, people and events in over 150,000 years of Redbridge history. It is particularly evocative of the development of Ilford, Wanstead and Woodford from 1850s – 1950s.
Royal Gunpowder Mills
Beaulieu Drive
Waltham Abbey EN9 1JY
01992 707370
Set in 170 acres of natural parkland and boasting 20 buildings of major historic importance, the site mixes fascinating history, exciting science and beautiful surroundings to produce a magical day out for all the family.
Saffron Walden Museum
Museum Street
Saffron Walden CB10 1JL
01799 510333
Discover a world of surprises in one of Britain’s oldest museums, founded in 1835. From local archaeology to cultures of distant lands, from fossils to today’s wildlife, from Tudor beds to fine ceramics to Ancient Egypt, Saffron Walden Museum owes the scope and depth of its collections to its long history and many generous benefactors. It stands beside the ruins of the 12th century Walden Castle.
Sandford Mill Museum – The Engine House Project
Sandford Mill Road, Chelmer Village
Chelmsford CM2 6NY
01245 475498
www.chelmsford.gov.uk/sandfordmill
The Engine House project is based at Sandford Mill, Chelmsford’s old waterworks, where the museum’s industrial collections are stored. In our science sessions we use the museum collections and our own purpose built interactive exhibits to give children exciting hands-on experiences.
Social History Museum
Colchester CO1 1YG
01206 282935
www.cimuseums.org.uk/article/10337/Social-History
Social history covers all aspects of domestic and social life from 1600 to the present day. Our collections include a wide range of items from art, costume, community history, world cultures and oral history.
Southchurch Hall Museum
Victoria Avenue
Southend-on-Sea SS0 8AD
01702 215130
www.southendmuseums.co.uk
A short walk from Southend on Sea’s busy seafront and High Street, the house, gardens and archaeology are a green oasis caputred in time. Interesting interiors are laid out in a series of period rooms including a great open hall reflecting life in the later middle ages, a Tudor kitchen with magnificent fireplace, and a solar wing displaying rooms in late Tudor and Stuart style.
Southend Central Museum & Planetarium
Victoria Avenue
Southend-on-Sea SS2 6EW
01702 434449
www.southendmuseums.co.uk
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.
Southend Pier Museum
Southend Pier, (Under the pier- Shore End), Marine Parade
Southend-on-Sea SS1 1EE
01702 611214
www.southendpiermuseum.co.uk
If you walk along Southend-on-Sea’s High Street, towards the sea, your eye will be drawn in a straight line towards the longest pleasure Pier in the world. Standing for over a century it extends 2.158 metres (1.341 miles) into the Thames Estuary, and is a well loved and recognised symbol of Southend and the pleasures of the English seaside.
Collections: Exhibits include many items of memorabilia such as an original restored working Pier signal box, a restored ex-Pier Toast Rack tram circa 1890 and train carriages circa 1949 and extensive informative pictorial displays featuring the Pier from 1830. We also have a small collection of working antique penny slot machines and much more.
Stables Centre
Hylands House, Hylands Park, London Road
Chelmsford CM2 8WQ
01245 605500
www.chelmsford.gov.uk/stables-visitor-centre
Hylands House is a fascinating and beautifully restored country house, dating from 1730. Originally built as a modest red brick Queen Anne style house, Hylands House has changed and developed considerably throughout its history.
Stow Maries WW1 Aerodrome
Hackmans Lane
Nr Maldon CM3 6RN
Stow Maries Aerodrome is an functioning airfield with most of its Great War brick buildings still intact and is currently being restored to its 1918 condition. It is Europe’s largest surviving World War I aerodrome.
Thurrock Museum
Orsett Road
Grays RM17 5DX
01375 382555
The extensive museum gallery is housed within the Thameside Complex along with the Thameside Theatre and Thurrock Main Library in Orsett Road, Grays. Here you can explore the history of Thurrock through 40 permanent display cases and 20 temporary display cases, containing over 1,500 objects, interpreting 250,000 years of Thurrock’s past.
Tilbury Fort – English Heritage
No. 2 Office Block, The Fort
Tilbury RM18 7NR
01375 858489
The artillery fort at Tilbury on the Thames estuary protected London’s seaward approach from the 16th century through to World War II. Henry VIII built the first fort here, and Queen Elizabeth famously rallied her army nearby to face the threat of the Armada.
Upminster Tithe Barn Museum of Nostalgia
Hall Lane
Upminster RM14 1AU
01708 447535
www.upminstertithebarn.co.uk
The Upminster Tithe Barn houses a collection of artefacts of nostalgic origin and is located in Hall Lane, Upminster in the London Borough of Havering. It is owned by Havering London Borough Council and run in partnership with the Hornchurch and District Historical Society.
Valentines Mansion & Gardens
Emerson Road
Ilford IG1 4XA
020 8708 8100
Discover a beautiful 300 year old country house and gardens in the heart of Ilford. Visit the recreated Victorian kitchen and Georgian rooms, with gorgeous views over surroundling parkland.
Waltham Abbey Gardens
Abbey View
Waltham Abbey EN9 1XD
08456 770 600
www.leevalleypark.org.uk/gardensandheritage
Once one of the largest Augustinian Abbeys in the country, founded by King Henry II in 1177 and reputed to be the site of King Harold’s grave after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. These gardens have a Green Flag Award.
Walton-on-the-Naze Maritime Museum
The Old Lifeboat House, East Terrace
Walton-on-the-Naze CO14 8PY
www.fwheritage.co.uk/waltoninfo.aspx
A 120-year-old former lifeboat house, carefully restored with exhibitions of local interest particularly maritime, urban, geological and seaside and development. Currently restoring a 100-year-old Norfolk and Suffolk-type lifeboat, James Stevens no.14, which is the oldest surviving motorised lifeboat in the world.
Warner Textile Archive
Warners Mill, Silks Way
Braintree CM7 3GB
01376 557741
www.warnertextilearchive.co.uk
Located in the heart of Braintree, Essex, the Warner Textile Archive is the country’s second largest collection of flat textiles, and narrates the rich history of a great British industry from its roots in the late 18th century to the flourishing success of Warner & Sons in the 20th century. The collection contains nearly 100,000 textile and wallpaper samples, paper designs, documents and other industry records representing two centuries of creativity and commerce.