Museums & Heritage

Heritage Attractions in Essex

Whether it’s stately homes such as Audley End House and Gardens or the St Peter on the Wall Chapel, which is the oldest in England, there are plenty of historic attractions in Essex that portray over 2,000 years of heritage. 
Visit the largest Norman keep at Hedingham Castle, or meander around Layer Marney Tower, which was built to rival Hampton Court. If you're interested in naval defence, then the Martello Tower at Jaywick or the Tilbury Fort will inspire and inform you. Alternatively, take a visit to Harwich and revel in the rich maritime history.

Museums in Essex

If you’re a history fanatic, then the museums in Essex will not disappoint. Our museums in Essex bring the riveting history and heritage of our county to life, from Colchester Castle Museum located in the centre of the old Roman capital and Britain’s first ever city to the Saffron Walden Museum where you can gaze upon a woolly mammoth. 

There are many museums in Essex to choose from which all serve different interests, from astrology at the Southend Planetarium to power related exhibits at the Museum of Power. There is something for everyone to learn in at Essex museums