Colchester Museums are thrilled to announce the reopening of Colchester’s Hollytrees Museum from Monday 19 July.
The popular FREE town centre museum has been closed since the first national lockdown in 2020 and will soon be filled with the sound of visitors enjoying the displays once more.
The museum is housed in a stunning Georgian townhouse, located just steps away from Colchester Castle, Europe’s largest Norman Keep, in the award-winning Castle Park. The house was constructed in 1718 and was home to Charles Gray, an attorney, a Justice of the Peace and a Member of Parliament for Colchester. Surrounded by beautiful gardens, it’s the perfect place to unwind and step back in time.
The museum is a very popular tourist attraction with both residents and visitors to the town and offers the chance to see what family life would have been like over 300 years ago. Although much of family life is similar today, visitors can discover how very different life would have been in the past dependant on someone’s wealth.
Inside the museum you will be able to browse the permanent displays, which include the museums extensive Bernard Mason clock collection and the much-admired miniature ‘Hollytrees’ dolls house. For returning visitors, new displays are added throughout the year so there is always something fun and fresh to see.
Councillor Darius Laws, Portfolio Holder for Economy, Business and Heritage, said: “This summer, visit Hollytrees Museum and let Colchester Museums transport you back in time, to the days before washing machines, to really understand what life in a grand Georgian mansion may have looked like. With fun activities such as dressing up like a servant, a new children’s activity trail and plenty of toys from the past to marvel at, it’s a great day out for the whole family.”
Hollytrees Museum is open Monday to Saturday, 10am - 5pm.
Colchester Museums are custodians of nationally-important artefacts and strive to ensure the public can always access these collections. By visiting Hollytrees, you are helping preserve Colchester’s rich heritage for future generations.
Page last reviewed: 14 July 2021