20 Best Museums and Art Galleries In Essex Near Me | Day Out With The Kids

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    Best Museums and Art Galleries In Essex

    We've rounded up the best museums and art galleries in Essex in our quest to discover brilliant family attractions and places to visit near you. There are 138 Essex museums and art galleries to pick from.Alternatively, why not explore some other sightseeing days out nearby, including tourist attractions. Find the perfect places to go with your kids and get out on your next adventure!

    All the museums and art galleries we list are rated according to the ages they are suitable for, facilities and whether they are suitable for rainy days or best when the sun is shining.

    Many of the places we list are historic or educational in nature and would be suitable for class trips or as ways to keep the learning up whilst having fun over the school holidays.

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    Entrance to Essex Police Museum in Chelmsford

    Essex Police Museum

    • Chelmsford
    • Indoor
    • Museums and Art Galleries

    Essex Police Museum has a collection of objects, photographs and objects that tell the history of the force from 1840 until present day. You and the...

    All Ages

    5 mi

    Outside view of Chelmsford Museum

    Chelmsford Museum

    • Chelmsford
    • Indoor and Outdoor
    • Museums and Art Galleries

    Chelmsford Museum Set in a park with an adventure play area, the museum offers a nice variety of exhibits, from a fine collection of fossils, a livin...

    Ages 4+

    6.5 mi

    A little boy with a paper plane at Imperial War Museum Duxford in Cambridgeshire

    Imperial War Museum Duxford

    • Duxford
    • Indoor and Outdoor
    • Museums and Art Galleries

    Step into the history of aviation at the Imperial War Museum Duxford! Discover the stories of those who lived and worked at RAF Duxford and explore g...

    Fun Family Events

    All Ages

    26.4 mi

    Outside view of Battlesbridge Antiques Centre

    Battlesbridge Antiques Centre

    • Battlesbridge
    • Indoor and Outdoor
    • Museums and Art Galleries

    Battlesbridge Antiques Centre comprises over 80 dealers housed in a variety of old buildings and courtyards, and a vintage motorcycle museum. Great f...

    Ages 0-8

    12.7 mi

    Train at Colne Valley Railway in Castle Hedingham

    Colne Valley Railway

    • Castle Hedingham
    • Indoor and Outdoor
    • Railway and Transport Attractions

    Bring your family to come and sample the vintage atmosphere and take a charming hour long ride on an award winning period country Colne Valley Railwa...

    Ages 0-12

    13.3 mi

    Toy aeroplane at The Cater Museum in Billericay

    The Cater Museum

    • Billericay
    • Indoor and Outdoor
    • Museums and Art Galleries

    The Cater Museum is a distinctly educational stop but a particularly fun one for imaginative kids who can get their history fix and let the daydreams...

    Ages 4+

    14.3 mi

    Buildings at The House on the Hill Toy Museum in Stansted Mountfitchet

    The House on the Hill Toy Museum

    • Stansted Mountfitchet
    • Indoor and Outdoor
    • Museums and Art Galleries

    The House on the Hill Toy Museum is the largest known privately owned toy museum in all of Europe with more than 80,000 fascinating items of mixed an...

    Ages 4+

    15.7 mi

    Girl looking at a shell. Source: Natural Museum of History Colchester

    Natural History Museum Colchester

    • Colchester
    • Indoor
    • Museums and Art Galleries

    At Natural History Museum Colchester did you know that there was an earthquake in Colchester in 1884? Or that mammoths and hippos used to live in thi...

    All Ages

    16.9 mi

    Visitors at Colchester Castle Museum

    Colchester Castle Museum

    • Colchester
    • Outdoor
    • Museums and Art Galleries

    At Colchester Castle Museum follow in the footsteps of Roman soldiers, Norman invaders, the Witchfinder General and the devastation of Queen Boudica!...

    Ages 0-12

    16.9 mi

    Outside view of Hollytrees Museum in Colchester

    Hollytrees Museum

    • Colchester
    • Indoor
    • Museums and Art Galleries

    A rather highlight of the Hollytrees Museum is the little Hollytrees Museum! What a delight for any child to nose through a dolls house that's a thor...

    Ages 4+

    17 mi

    Aeroplane at North Weald Airfield and Museum in North Weald Bassett

    North Weald Airfield and Museum

    • North Weald Bassett
    • Indoor and Outdoor
    • Museums and Art Galleries

    North Weald Airfield was the famous Battle of Britain fighter base, RAF North Weald, near to the Essex town of Epping and easily accessible from Lond...

    Ages 4+

    17.4 mi

    Walled Garden at The Museum of Harlow

    Harlow Museum & Walled Gardens

    • Harlow
    • Indoor and Outdoor
    • Museums and Art Galleries

    The four main galleries exhibit interesting collections and interpretive displays based on the area during notable time periods, these being, Roman,...

    Ages 4+

    17.6 mi

    Guy watching show at Central Museum & Planetarium in Southend on Sea

    Central Museum & Planetarium

    • Southend On Sea
    • Indoor
    • Museums and Art Galleries

    The understated Southend Planetarium at the Central Museum seats only 20 people but presents a range of talks about the entire universe, through vari...

    Ages 9+

    18.5 mi

    The Postal Museum

    The Postal Museum

    • London
    • Indoor
    • Museums and Art Galleries

    If you think The Postal Museum is just about getting your letters sent, think again! With a train ride, an adventure play zone and even a lion (?!),...

    Top pick

    All Ages

    33.9 mi

    Sculpture at The Henry Moore Foundation in Much Hadham

    Henry Moore Studios & Gardens

    • Much Hadham
    • Outdoor
    • Museums and Art Galleries

    Henry Moore Studios & Gardens , one of Hertfordshire's leading day out attractions and one of the UK's finest art destinations, is open seasonall...

    Ages 4+

    19.2 mi

    Outside view of Saffron Walden Museum

    Saffron Walden Museum(1)

    • Saffron Walden
    • Indoor
    • Museums and Art Galleries

    Saffron Walden Museum is a great local museum that has been entertaining visitors since it opened in 1835. There are many permanent exhibitions, cove...

    All Ages

    19.6 mi

    Buses at Castle Point Transport Museum in Canvey Island

    Castle Point Transport Museum

    • Canvey Island
    • Indoor and Outdoor
    • Museums and Art Galleries

    Canvey Island's vintageCastle Point Transport Museum is now home to over 35 tremendously old and rare buses, coaches, vintage commercials, military a...

    All Ages

    20.2 mi

    Outside view of Southend Pier Museum in Southend On Sea

    Southend Pier Museum

    • Southend On Sea
    • Indoor
    • Museums and Art Galleries

    The Southend Pier Museum brings to life the fascinating past of the longest pleasure pier in the world. Exhibits include many items of memorabilia su...

    Ages 4+

    20.6 mi

    Fire engines at Essex Fire Museum in Grays

    Essex Fire Museum

    • Grays
    • Indoor
    • Museums and Art Galleries

    Essex Fire Museum shows you how firefighting has changed over the years as there have been advances in technology. There are a collection of differen...

    All Ages

    23.7 mi

    Outside view of Coalhouse Fort in East Tilbury

    Coalhouse Fort

    • East Tilbury
    • Indoor and Outdoor
    • Landmarks

    Coalhouse Fort is considered to be one of the finest examples of an armoured casemated fort in the UK and is still undergoing restoration. It's also...

    Ages 4+

    23.9 mi

    More Fun Places to Visit in Essex

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