Hollytrees Museum
Hollytrees Museum, High Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1UG
It was built in 1718/19 for Elizabeth Cornelisen, a wealthy widow, on the site of an earlier house. It was later the home of Colchester's MP Charles Gray (1696-1782) who commissioned the local architect James Deane to extend the building in 1748. Gray also owned the nearby Colchester Castle which will be open for Heritage Open Days on the same day.
It now houses Colchester’s Visitor Information Centre and a museum of family life and childhood in the city over the past 300 years. Displays include a celebration of the nursery rhyme 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' which was written in Colchester in 1806 by Jane Taylor who, with her sister Ann, is the subject of a new statue recently erected in Colchester High Street. The museum also has a clock gallery displaying clocks and watches made by Colchester craftsmen.
There is a well-stocked shop with locally themed products which make ideal souvenirs of a visit to Colchester.
Timings & Tours
- Saturday 13 September:
- 1000-1700
Location & directions
Hollytrees Museum, High Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1UG
- Directions:
- Adjacent to Colchester's War Memorial at the entrance to Castle Park.
- Contact on day:
- VIC Team
- Telephone number:
- +441206282920
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
Disabled toilets located immediately next to the museum in Castle Park. Access via RADAR key (available at museum front desk). There are a limited number of disabled bays by the Museum Street entrance to Castle Park.
Additional information
Last admission is at 16.30. Other buildings open nearby for Heritage Open Days on the same day are Colchester Castle, St James the Great Church, Roman Theatre (Maidenburgh Street), 7 Queen Street (The Brewhouse), Peake's House (East Stockwell Street) and SPACE Colchester (34 Queen Street).
