Top Things to do in Essex
Top Hotels in Essex
- 1. Hampton By Hilton London Stansted Airport
- 2. Novotel London Stansted Airport
- 3. Premier Inn London Stansted Airport hotel
- 4. Radisson Blu Hotel London Stansted Airport
- 5. Travelodge Stansted Great Dunmow
- 6. The George Hotel
- 7. Roslin Beach Hotel
- 8. The County Hotel
- 9. Premier Inn Thurrock East hotel
- 10. London Chigwell, BW Signature Collection by Best Western
Countries
10 Specialty Museums in Essex That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Essex, United Kingdom including Warner Textile Archive, Combined Military Services Museum, Moot Hall, Essex Fire Museum, Saffron Walden Museum, Burnham-On-Crouch and District Museum, Hollytrees Museum, Essex Police Museum, East Anglian Railway Museum, Mangapps Railway Museum.
Restaurants in Essex
1. Warner Textile Archive
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
2. Combined Military Services Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 346 reviews
Experience a journey through British military history beginning on the brutal medieval battlefields, through the Crimean & Napoleonic Wars and, WWI & WWII to current day conflicts. Discover the secretive worlds of Spies, their gadgets, weapons and disguises. Learn about Special Forces, the Special Operations Executive and their daring operations. See stunning displays of combat uniforms; be astonished by one of Europe's largest public display of Firearms. Squirm at the medical equipment used on battlefields and learn the personal stories behind the medals and the weapons. Read intimate accounts from the dairies of British Soldiers. See swords, armour, missiles and so much more! Discover Britain's Military History by seeing only genuine artefacts. Tier 2 Restrictions - please book ahead for households or support bubbles up to 6 people. We aim to be COVID-19 secure and will ask for track & trace information and you will need to wear a mask. Sorry only support dogs allowed.
Reviewed By patrickcsmith3 - London, United Kingdom
Today, I had the privilege to visit this Combined Services Military that has three floors, that tells each visitor, the story of brutal military history from the Medieval weaponry to recent global conflicts, including Suez (1956) Falklands (1962) Kuwait (1990) and Iraq (2003). I read all military books this year-written by the patron of the Conbined Services Military Museum Lord Paddy Ashdown- that was founded on the extensive garage weaponry and memorabilia collection by Capt. Mason-known as the `Mason Collection'-and there are 6000 items on graphic display, as a result of subsequent donations ot tanks,weapons,clothing ,WW1/2 pilot uniforms,French Resistance Radios in WW2,and a myriad of battle and war front equipment ,including the `Dad`s Army' section that was trained to defeat `Operation Sea- Lion' in May 1940. All parts of this Museum are unique and include the `Mason Collection' pieces of James Bond Ian Fleming inspired Espionage equipment from MI5 :the English Civil War armour,polearms,muskets, and clothing won by Cavaliers and Roundheads;and the fabled `Dad`s Army' Home Front that holds the focus on `Zeppelins' in WW1 and in WW2 the role of women and role of courageous female SOE Spies and women in Nursing and Munitions and the Land Army. The section on the `Cockleshell Heoroes' that completed `Operation Franton' at loss of all team in 5 canoes apart from two,and two sent home, under the indomitable patriotic leadership of Major `Blondie' Hasler to plant limpet mines on `Bordeaux Blockade Breakers' in harbour in 1942, that helped turn the attention of Hitler on the British Special Forces that would attempt and succeed on any mind-set impossible commando missions in WW2. I recommend the Combined Services Military Museum with its free parking facility to familes,schools, post 16 college students and whether a general interest or Sandhurst trainee, this is a special very place and is symbolic with all that is possible to obtain a Liberal history in modern post 1500 Europe. `Lest We Forget'...
3. Moot Hall
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 66 reviews
Reviewed By davidpI9434VD - Auckland, New Zealand
I took a group of U3A members there in November who were fascinated by the history and the architecture of the place. The view from the roof is breathtaking, but oh so cold up there. Luckily there is a Weatherspoons just down the road for a warm up and a hot meal!. The guides were very interesting, helpful and full of knowledge about the place.
4. Essex Fire Museum
5. Saffron Walden Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 141 reviews
Discover a world of hidden treasures in one of the country’s oldest purpose-built museums. This award-winning museum explores the archaeology, natural history and social history of north-west Essex and the wider world. Our collections include: Ancient Egypt, Archaeology, Ceramics and Glass, Costume and Textiles, Geology, Furniture and Woodwork, Local and Social History, Natural History and World Cultures. From stone axes to Samurai armour, Saxon riches to shields, spears and swords. You will also find toys, decorative arts, world cultures and even an Ancient Egyptian Mummy. At our family-friendly museum children can excavate in the archaeological sandpit, meet Wallace the Lion or explore the natural history discovery centre. With a rolling programme of special exhibitions, activities and events throughout the year, there’s always something new to see and do! Pic nic in our grounds next to the ruins of the 12th century Walden Castle or, walk to the centre of the medieval market town where you can shop, eat, relax and explore. There is a small car park and access for disabled visitors.
Reviewed By carolbB5171JA - Kings Langley, United Kingdom
Wow! Wow! Wow! Visitors are in for a real treat here - expect the unexpected. If you have children under 10 this is the place to go in the summer holidays - on arrival there are coat pegs on the left hand side of the entrance containing "I Spy" colourful clipboards, alongside rucksacks and real hats!! Little boy on our trip had a real Safari hat on with his gear. The museum is a Tardis - everything presented and catalogued beautifully from Ancient Egypt, to Wallace the Lion, Natural History, Mediaeval Furniture - the list goes on and on. For children there is a fantastic tank of Stick Insects to count and admire and cases of birds, small mammals etc. I assume this is all covered on the "I Spy" pages. On the second floor this is also a sand pit play area and chairs and table for small ones to draw at - pictures and crayons provided. For senior visitors there is a lift to all floors and also chair lifts up about five stairs between floors. So all ages catered for. Disabled toilets and ladies/gents on the ground floor. Entrance prices are so cheap and I believe you can purchase an annual season ticket for £8 so you could repeat your treat as often as you like as it certainly takes up a lot of time to appreciate everything.
6. Burnham-On-Crouch and District Museum
7. Hollytrees Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 204 reviews
Follow the story around this beautiful Georgian building taking in domestic life and childhood in Colchester over the past 300 years. Meet many different characters from the past and experience Colchester's fascinating history. Discover what family life was life for the rich and the poor. Then be transported back to the days before washing machines to try out a dolly peg and dress up as a servant.
Reviewed By 49stevet - Hemel Hempstead, United Kingdom
Very nice small museum. The long case clocks were very interesting as were the dolls houses and toys. Very interesting also to see things hidden away by children back in Victorian times! The guided tours each Saturday start from the museum.
8. Essex Police Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 70 reviews
Reviewed By RaynerClan
Essex police museum has one of the best displays I have seen and really give you an insight in to the history of the policing of Essex going back over a 100 years, lots of things for kids to interact with and a really good way to show youngster of today that policemen are there to help.
9. East Anglian Railway Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 220 reviews
A family friendly, living, breathing railway museum. Immerse yourself in a real steam railway museum and get up close and personal to our wide collection of steam trains, diesel locomotives and vintage carriages. Celebrate an exciting period in railway history! Our atmospheric Victorian buildings, restored trains and working signal boxes tell a unique story of a time when the railway was the largest employer in the region.
Reviewed By R5374SZchrisc - Colchester, United Kingdom
Fun for all the Family here, something for everyone from Dad to Mum and the kids, the staff are good fun and the trains are wonderfully looked after and show young people how life was in the steam days.
10. Mangapps Railway Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 113 reviews
Reviewed By rubyw584 - London, United Kingdom
I have just taken my family and grandchildren to see Father Christmas at Mangapps Manor and the ride on the steam train to see Father Christmas was great and the boys really enjoyed knowing about the steam trains and riding in one. The presents they got where very good and it was all well organised. They provided us with coffee/tea and cakes/biscuits/sweets in the price and as my family are veggies they provided that for them. Over all it was a great afternoon and looking around the museum was great. I must congratulate every on involved in making it a great day and experience. Loud go again next Christmas.
