Museum of Chelmsford

Museum of Chelmsford Explore. Inspire. Share. Open from 10am every day.
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Sitting in the heart of the city in the beautiful Oaklands Park, we celebrate Chelmsford's diverse stories, from those who once lived and worked here to those who do now.

Ever wondered what it was like to live in Oaklands House as part of a family of eight? Join Rachel as Mrs Wells througho...
07/09/2026

Ever wondered what it was like to live in Oaklands House as part of a family of eight?

Join Rachel as Mrs Wells throughout the day on Sunday 20 September, as she takes you on a tour of Oaklands House, including the beautiful Victorian Kitchen and Hallway. Learn about the roles of the servants and what it was like to be the matriarch of the house whilst walking the very corridors they did all those years ago.

Museum entry and all activities are free during our Heritage Open Days weekend. Spaces for events are booking up fast, so make sure you book before you visit! Book here: https://bit.ly/4qYExsd

What object would you choose to represent your life in Chelmsford today?Join sculptor Caitlin Hazell and Moving House Fi...
06/09/2026

What object would you choose to represent your life in Chelmsford today?

Join sculptor Caitlin Hazell and Moving House Films on Saturday 19 September for a free creative workshop exploring the objects that tell the stories of our lives.

Bring along an object (or a photo if it’s too valuable) and create and carve a miniature version in wax. Your creation will then be transformed into bronze using the ancient lost wax casting technique, before becoming part of a larger future exhibition co-curated with Spark!

The workshop takes place during Heritage Open Days, when entry to the Museum of Chelmsford is also free all weekend.

Find out more and book here: https://bit.ly/45SuVWt

📣 Dates for your diary: Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September are FREE admission! As part of this year's Heritage Open Day...
05/09/2026

📣 Dates for your diary: Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September are FREE admission!

As part of this year's Heritage Open Days, we will be free to enter all that weekend. While you're here, you can help answer a questions for us: what object do you treasure most at the Museum of Chelmsford?

That’s what we're asking as part of a temporary display which invites you to help shape the museum’s new ‘Top 10 Treasure Trail’! Explore a display of 20 shortlisted treasures – chosen by museum staff and volunteers – in the Discover Studio, before voting for your own favourite museum treasure. The results of the public vote will form the new Top 10 Treasure Trail, which will feature in our 2027 visitor guide.

Choose from mammoth tusks, Boris the bear, Sir Grayson Perry ceramics, to even the Dukes nightclub sign!

If you can't make it that weekend, we'll also be launching an online vote - stay tuned for details coming soon...

Read more here: https://citylife.chelmsford.gov.uk/posts/vote-for-your-top-treasure-at-the-museum-of-chelmsford

📸 On Saturday 19 September, we will be also updating some of our pictures and videos of visitors enjoying our museum and activities. Our FOH team will ask you if you are happy to take part, so please make sure you chat to them on the day.

We always knew our Boris was a superhero - now he's helping solve wildlife crime! 🐻Thanks to a new research project by a...
04/09/2026

We always knew our Boris was a superhero - now he's helping solve wildlife crime! 🐻

Thanks to a new research project by a forensic science student at the University of Staffordshire, our much-loved Brown Bear has been involved in providing crucial hair samples for analysis that will support research into bear poaching in parts of Europe.

Now is your chance to go beyond TV crime myths, magnifying glasses and Sherlock Holmes, and discover how real forensic techniques are used to investigate wildlife crime!

Led by Prof Claire Gwinnett, alongside researcher Hayden Leigh, join us for a fascinating talk that offers a rare insight into the science behind wildlife crime investigations – and how tiny traces can make a big difference.

🔍 Behind the Case: A Bear Poaching Investigation
📅 Saturday 26 September, 11am
📍 Museum of Chelmsford

Book your place: https://bit.ly/469qB5g

Read more about the investigation, and the mystery of Boris the bear: https://citylife.chelmsford.gov.uk/posts/museum-s-taxidermy-bear-supports-project-to-end-modern-day-wildlife-crime

Thank you to everyone who nominated us for the Essex Mums Awards. We are excited to announce we made it to the finals! W...
02/09/2026

Thank you to everyone who nominated us for the Essex Mums Awards. We are excited to announce we made it to the finals!

We do have one more cheeky favour to ask… if you have a spare minute or two, we would really appreciate it if you voted for us as best museum. This is our fifth year in the finals, and we’d love to bring the award home again!

Thank you so much for your support.

You can vote here: https://www.essexmums.com/essex-mums-awards/voting/

Today is World Letter Writing Day, and we’re sharing a closer look at a handwritten letter from J.A Baker to his friend ...
01/09/2026

Today is World Letter Writing Day, and we’re sharing a closer look at a handwritten letter from J.A Baker to his friend Sam (Donald Samuel), written on 19 September 1945. Baker describes his deep love of the Essex countryside, particularly the landscape around Danbury:

‘As you walk across these fields – Danbury stands all green and misty blue in the late afternoon of declining summer. Everchanging – sometimes assuming truly mountainous grandeur – it fascinates the eyes and brings an exaltation and a faith’

The letter in its entirety offers a fascinating glimpse into his observations on nature long before he was celebrated for his writing publicly.

You can see the original letter in full on display outside the Wells Suite, alongside other items connected to his life and legacy to celebrate the centenary of his birth.

31/08/2026

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for Summer Holiday Hoard Heroes this summer!

From discovering the Great Baddow Hoard and Celtic treasures to learning how curators care for museum collections, it was wonderful to see so many families getting involved.

We hope you enjoyed the activities as much as we enjoyed creating them. Keep an eye out on our socials for our October half-term events, coming soon! 🍂✨

We are Bear-y excited to be back! 🐻‍❄️Starting on Thursday 10 September, our Boris Bear Cubs will be coming back every o...
29/08/2026

We are Bear-y excited to be back! 🐻‍❄️

Starting on Thursday 10 September, our Boris Bear Cubs will be coming back every other Thursday in term time for the rest of 2026! These sessions have a different theme each session and are perfect for your youngest explorers to discover the museum through play.

Our themes this term include: Treasure, Sound, Autumn, and Dinosaurs!
Check out our website for all our session dates.

Boris Bears Cubs sessions book up fast, so secure your spot before it's too late - https://www.museumofchelmsford.co.uk/events/boris-bear-cubs-autumnwinter/

Fancy creating a tote bag to store your treasures in?Join Katie Kennedy, designer and workshop artist, here at the museu...
28/08/2026

Fancy creating a tote bag to store your treasures in?

Join Katie Kennedy, designer and workshop artist, here at the museum on Saturday 19 September for free screen-printing workshops, delivered as part of Heritage Open Days 2026. Each session, led by Katie, lasts around 45 minutes and you will make your own tote bag with a design linked to the Great Baddow Coin Hoard.

Admission is free to the museum all weekend, so book in to a workshop, visit our Timeless Treasures exhibition, and then take your new creation home to enjoy!

⏰ 10.15am, 11.20am, 12.25pm, 1.35pm, 2.45pm, 4pm
🎟️ Although all the sessions are free, booking is essential to avoid disappointment - https://bit.ly/4gtQFwH
📍Museum of Chelmsford, Oaklands Park, Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, CM2 9AQ

27/08/2026

What can a single bear hair reveal? 🐻

On Saturday 26 September, join Professor Claire Gwinnett and Hayden Leigh to discover how forensic science helps investigate wildlife crime across Europe. From microscopic hair analysis to tackling illegal bear poaching, uncover how tiny traces can provide crucial evidence in real life investigations. Plus, you’ll have the chance to examine real hairs from our very own Boris the Bear under a microscope.

A rare opportunity to explore forensic investigation from a wildlife perspective, perfect for true crime enthusiasts!

We recommend this talk for adults, as well as families with older children interested in the subject of true crime in wildlife.

Book your tickets now at https://chelmsford.digitickets.co.uk/event-tickets/77900?catID=70803

Address

Oaklands Park, Moulsham Street
Chelmsford
CM29AQ

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

01245 605700

Website

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