About

Hollytrees Museum is located in the beautiful grounds of Castle Park. This attractive Georgian town house, dating from 1718 houses the city's social history museum, showcasing three centuries of fascinating toys, clocks and decorative arts.

Discover Juliasaurus' Lost World in our new Discover Museum Wonders Exhibition, running until November 2027

Discover what family life was like for the rich and poor and be transported back to the days before washing machines. 

The clocks and watches on display in the aptly named Bernard Mason Gallery range in period from the mid 17th century through to the mid 19th century. The display includes the first clock Bernard Mason bought, a range of long case clocks and also some of the earlier lantern clocks, made by makers such as William Bacon, John Smorthwait and Nathaniel Hedge. 

Be transported back to your childhood with displays of vintage toys and games and learn about the origins of the much loved nursery rhyme Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star and its connection to Colchester.

 

Museum visitation may be limited on certain days - please contact ahead of your visit to avoid disappointment. Availability may be subject to change.

Access may be limited for users of larger wheelchairs, a manual wheelchair is available for use. Owing to fire regulations, groups of more than two wheelchair users need to pre-book.

For more information on Colchester visit www.visitcolchester.com 

Hollytrees Museum is home to the Visit Colchester Information Centre, the best place to visit for information and advice on visiting Colchester and the surrounding area as well as the place to buy local gifts and souvenirs.