Menu

Hollytrees Museum

What you can seePlan your visit

* Please note, Hollytrees Museum will be closed for Christmas from the 24th until 27th December. It will be open as usual from Saturday 28th December.

The Museum will close again for the day on Wednesday 1st January 2020. *

Welcome

Enjoy 300 years of history in this beautiful Georgian townhouse through hands-on exhibits and displays. 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. 

Explore Hollytrees in miniature through the dolls’ house or discover Bernard Mason’s fascinating collection of Colchester clocks. You can even learn all about the origins of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, loved the world over and written in Colchester. 

History

What You Can See

The Building

Situated within Castle Park, Hollytrees Museum is surrounded by beautiful gardens.

Built in 1718, this Georgian House was home to Charles Gray, an attorney, a Justice of the Peace and a Member of Parliament for Colchester.

The Collections

Hollytrees Museum houses a range of collections, including toys, art, costume and clocks.

Discover what family life was like 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.

Changing Displays

From temporary displays showing-casing stored collections to projects involving local communities, one of our galleries regularly changes, providing something new to discover each time you visit.

The Bernard Mason Clock Gallery

See star examples of Bernard Mason’s collection of clocks made in Colchester, from long cases to lantern clocks.

 

Colchester Museums was a winner in the 2019 Hoop Awards, scooping Best Holiday Workshops in Essex!

See What's On and come experience our range of family-friendly activities for yourself!

 

Upcoming Events

There are no events on at the moment. Join our newsletter and be notified when new events are due to start plus much more.

Sign Up
View All Events

Exhibitions and Displays

Snapping the Stiletto: Essex Women

09/11/2019 - 18/01/2020
Hollytrees Museum
History
View All Exhibitions

Plan Your Visit

Opening Times

Monday – Saturday
10.00am – 5.00pm

Sunday
Closed

Free admission

What can you see?

 

Directions

Shop

Our museum shop offers a wide range of products, from Tiptree jams and chutneys to prints of Colchester, vintage toys to local books. Whether you’re looking for a memento or the perfect gift, we have something for all tastes and budgets.

 

Access

Every effort has been made to make Hollytrees Museum a great place to visit for everybody.

If you have any access queries please contact us and we will be happy to help.

Facilities include:

  • Automatic sliding doors.
  • Parking spaces for blue badge holders by Castle Park in Museum Street, and on the High Street.
  • Accessible toilet and changing facilities available at the neighboring Natural History Museum.
  • Lift – Please note no more than two wheelchair users allowed on the first floor. If there are more than two wheelchair users in your group, please contact us.
  • Display cases and text are at wheelchair height.
  • RADAR accessible toilet.
  • Hearing induction loop.
  • Inductive couplers for hearing aids fitted to sound phones.
  • Display sound transcripts.
  • Twiddlemuffs (sensory aids) available on request.
  • Tactile RNIB ‘Maps For All’ floor plan.
  • Hands-on interactive and sensory experiences. 
  • Display sound commentary.
  • Guide and helping dogs are welcome.
  • Free drinking water available on request.

Where will your adventure start?