Museums in Essex.

Manor Street, Braintree, Essex, CM7 3HW

This award winning museum is based in the converted Courtauld School and has displays from Crittall steel windows to Warners royal silks, Castle Hedingham pottery to Edward Bawden prints.

Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS2 6ES

An Edwardian building housing displays of archaeology, natural history, social and local history. Hands-on discovery centre and Planetarium.

Oaklands Park, Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 9AQ

Local and social history from prehistory to present day; fine and decorative arts (ceramics, glass); coins; natural history (geology, animals, live beehive). Exhibitions and events. Set in park with children's play area.

Castle Park, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1TJ

Colchester Castle is temporarily closed for 2013 for an exciting redevelopment. We will be creating new museum displays and improved visitor facilities. The Castle will re-open for Easter 2014. Visit our website for further details

Station Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4LQ

An amazing collection of British military artefacts dating from the English Civil War to present day, including an espionage collection belonging to the British Secret Agents.

Chappel Station, Wakes Colne, Essex, CO6 2DS

We are a living museum situated at the edge of Constable Country. Our heritage site is an interactive display of the region's industrial and social history of railways since the 19th century.

39-41 Sun Street, Waltham Abbey, Essex, EN9 1EL

Located in a Tudor house dating back to 1520, this vibrant family friendly museum offers an exciting temporary exhibitions programme and free events and activities for children and families.

Castle Street, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB10 1BD

Unique collection of work by 20th century artists who have lived in and around Great Bardfield & Saffron Walden, e.g. Edward Bawden, Michael Rothenstein, Eric Ravilious and others. Facebook: The Fry Art Gallery, Twitter: @FryArtGallery

Mill Lane, Great Dunmow, Essex, CM6 1BG

A unique surviving C16th Grade 2* listed timber framed building, fully restored retaining the original floor maltings infrastructure used between c1565 & 1948. Incorporates the Town Museum & modern conference facilities for 70 people.

Timberfields, Off Wellington Road, Harwich, Essex, CO12 3EJ

Museum contains the last Clacton off-shore. Oakley Class Lifeboat 34ft and a history of the lifeboat service in Harwich.

Low Lighthouse, Harbour Crescent, Harwich, Essex, CO12 3NJ

Housed in a disused lighthouse, the museum has specialised displays on the Royal Navy and commercial shipping. History of the Royal Navy and Merchant Navy in Harwich.

Castle Park, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1UG

Three centuries of fascinating toys, costume & arts displayed in an attractive Georgian town house from 1718. Parkland children's play area, shop, sensory garden. Free entry.

Jaywick Martello Tower, The Promenade, Belsize Avenue, Jaywick, Essex, CO15 2LF

Built originally as a Napoleonic Fort in the early 19th century the tower now acts as a central hub for the local community & visitors. There are regular arts & heritage exhibitions, talks & events.

Kelvedon Hatch, Brentwood, Essex, CM15 0LA

Ex-government HQ nuclear bunker buried 80ft underground. Complete with kitchen, dormitories, power and filtration plant, plotting floor, government administration room, 120 yard long entrance tunnel, communication and scientists room.

High Street, Old Town, Leigh-on-Sea, Southend, Essex, UK

Museum with photographic display of the history of Leigh-on-Sea, and fully restored fisherman's cottage, circa l850, situated in the waterside High Street of the Old Town.

47 Mill Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HX

Social history museum of Maldon and District situated on the edge of the award winning Promenade Park.

Mersea Island Museum, High Street, West Mersea, Colchester, Essex, CO5 8QD

Exhibits of Mersea's social history, natural history, archaeology and fishing industry, including a fisherman's cottage display. Special exhibitions and gift shop.

Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex, CM24 8SP

Mountfitchet Castle Experience is a multi attraction incorporating Mountfitchet Castle & Norman Village of 1066, House on the Hill Toy Museum and Dinosaur Encounters.

Steam Pumping Station, Hatfield Road, Langford, Essex, CM9 6QA

A former steam pumping station, with power related exhibits, tea room, picnic area and miniature railway. Set in attractive riverside grounds.

Loughton Library, Traps Hill, Loughton, Essex, IG10 1HD

The NJA is the UK's premier research & info centre for jazz, blues & related music. Concentrating on written, printed & photographic documentation of the music, NJA has amassed a body of information that can truly be considered world class.

High Street, Colchester, CO1 1DN

Discover and interesting 'hands-on' perspective on the local natural environment from the Ice Age right up to today. Explore the garden trail and stag beetle exhibition, free entry.

Priory Park, Victoria Avenue, Southend, Essex, SS2 6NB

Well preserved 12th Century Priory housing a museum of the Priory's history.

Beaulieu Drive, Waltham Abbey, Essex, EN9 1JY

A spectacular 170-acre location for a day of family fun. Experience Prof. Nitrate's Mad Lab, the Test Range and Rocket Vault! Plus, guided land train tours, interactive exhibitions, wildlife walks and an extensive special events programme.

Southchurch Hall Close, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS1 2TE

Southchurch Hall museum is housed in the half-timbered medieval manor house, which dates to the early 14th century.

Castle Hill, Dedham, Colchester, Essex, CO7 6AZ

The Home and Studios of Sir Alfred Munnings, PPRA.

East Terrace, Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex, CO14 8PY

The museum features the history and geology of the Naze, development of the town from prehistoric times to the present day & the history of the local lifeboat service including the oldest motorised lifeboat in the world.