Hollytrees Museum Colchester

Jake Davies

Hollytrees Museum in Colchester is housed in a Georgian house built in 1718. — Hollytrees Museum in Colchester is housed in a Georgian house built in 1718 surrounded by beautiful grounds

Hollytrees Museum in Colchester is a free-to-enter local history museum where the emphasis is on the domestic life of families during the past 300 years.

The museum is named after Hollytrees, the house, built in 1718, that was turned into a museum in 1929. It was the former home of Charles Gray, a lawyer, a Justice of the Peace, and a Member of Parliament. It was he who planted the two holly trees in front of the house that gave it its name.

A Dolls House is among the many toys on display at Hollytrees Museum in Colchester. — A Dolls House is among the many toys on display at Hollytrees Museum in Colchester

Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business. — Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business

Located in Castle Park, and surrounded by lovely gardens, Colchester's Hollytrees Museum. — Located in Castle Park, and surrounded by lovely gardens, Colchester's Hollytrees Museum

Exhibits

Many of the displays of everyday historical objects are given meaning by being organized around the lives of 3 historical characters, Charles Round and his servant Mary Last, and a sedan chair carrier, Isaac Calthrop.

Toys feature quite prominently, so the museum will appeal to kids, as there are numerous interactive displays. Older generations will enjoy nostalgia as the collection continues up to the mid-twentieth century.

There is a display devoted to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, the children's lullaby which was written in Colchester.

One of the rooms hosts changing exhibitions, sometimes objects from the museum's collection, and often connected to local community projects.

Glimpse the lives of Colchester's inhabitants in former times. — Glimpse the lives of Colchester's inhabitants in former times

The elegant Georgian interiors of Hollytrees Museum are also wheelchair-accessible. — The elegant Georgian interiors of Hollytrees Museum are also wheelchair-accessible

Bernard Mason Gallery

The Bernard Mason Gallery is a little different, as it shows a large collection of historic clocks most of which were acquired by collector Bernard Mason when Tymperleys on the High Street closed. Many of the pieces were made here in Colchester and include long case clocks, lantern clocks, and musical clocks.

Holltrees Museum in Colchester covers the daily life of the people of Colchester in previous times. — Holltrees Museum in Colchester covers the daily life of the people of Colchester in previous times

Information

Castle Park
Colchester CO1 1UG
Tel: 01206 282940
www: colchester.cimuseums.org.uk

Under normal conditions free guided tours are offered on Saturdays. The museum has a small shop, and is wheelchair-accessible.

Castle Park is a 20 minute walk south of Colchester Station or take a 61 or 65 bus.

From Colchester Town Station, the museum is 10 minutes on foot. It is also just a 10-minute walk from Colchester bus station on Osborne Street.

Old Punch and Judy puppets at the Hollytrees Museum. — Old Punch and Judy puppets at the Hollytrees Museum

Colchester Related

Colchester Castle

Brightlingsea

Firstsite

Holy Trinity Church Colchester

St. Botolph's Priory

Access - Getting to Colchester

Greater Anglia have regular trains to Colchester direct from Liverpool Street Station to Colchester. Journey time for the fastest trains is around 45 minutes.

National Express has frequent coach services from Stansted Airport to Colchester bus station and the University of Essex (Colchester).

By car from London follow the M25 motorway and then the A12.