Coggeshall Museum
A volunteer-run museum in the centre of Coggeshall with free entry, showing the history of the Essex town and its trades.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Coggeshall Museum looks after the story of the Essex town from the earliest times. Coggeshall grew rich on wool and supported a wide range of trades, and by 1851 it was one of the most industrialised towns in Essex.
The museum holds a large collection of objects about the town and its people, among them the blacksmith Henry "Dick" Nunn, who built the wrought-iron footbridge in 1892. Other items include a 1575 rental map showing who lived in each house plot, a Roll of Honour for the men of the town who died in the two world wars, and a painting called Bacchus by Simeon Solomon. There are also collections of photographs and maps.
A search room offers a family history archive, much of it online, with trade directory extracts, local books and leaflets. The museum is staffed by volunteers and has no outside funding, so it relies on donations.
Highlights
- 1575 rental map of the town
- Painting Bacchus by Simeon Solomon
- Roll of Honour for the two world wars
- Photographs and maps of Coggeshall
- Family history archive and search room
- Free town trail leaflets
Permanent exhibition
- The story of Coggeshall – Objects, maps and photographs on the history, trades and people of Coggeshall, with a family history archive.
- Founded
- 1990
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Entry is free and donations are welcome, as the museum has no outside funding. Private and group visits by appointment are charged; paid options include the Coggeshall Tour.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
There is a disabled parking space outside the museum and more spaces in the adjoining car park. The disabled-access toilet is at the Village Hall next door, and the key is available on request.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
The museum adjoins a public car park. Parking is free for the first two hours (take a ticket by pressing the green button twice) and free all day on Sundays; two to four hours costs £1 and all day £4.
- Accessible parking
The museum is in the town centre next to the Village Hall.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
Public toilets are next door at the Village Hall. Free self-guided leaflets for the Coggeshall Town Trail and the Industrial Heritage Trail are available at the museum.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Paid options include the Coggeshall Tour and private or group visits by appointment. The museum cannot carry out family history research for visitors. |
