Dutch Cottage Museum

About the museum

Canvey Island was drained and embanked in the 17th century by the Dutch engineer Cornelius Vermuyden, and many Dutch workers and their families settled there. They built unusual octagonal cottages, of which two survive. One, in Haven Road, dates from 1621 and is privately owned. The other, on Canvey Road, was built in 1618 and houses the Dutch Cottage Museum.

The cottage was given to Canvey Island Urban District Council in 1952. It was restored, repainted and given a new thatched conical roof before it opened as a museum in 1962, and further restoration has been carried out since then. The Benfleet and District Historical Society runs the museum on behalf of Castle Point Borough Council.

The rooms of the cottage, which include a living room, a passage and a large and a small bedroom, contain exhibits on the history of Canvey Island and models of the sailing craft that passed the island from Roman times onwards. A newer exhibition hall attached to the cottage holds more of the collection, among it a fine group of corn dollies.

Highlights

• Octagonal Dutch cottage built in 1618
• Rooms with exhibits on the history of Canvey Island
• Models of sailing craft from Roman times onwards
• Collection of corn dollies in the exhibition hall

Permanent exhibitions

• The cottage rooms – A living room, passage and bedrooms with exhibits on the history of Canvey Island, including models of sailing craft from Roman times onwards.
• Exhibition hall – A newer hall attached to the cottage that houses more of the collection, including corn dollies.

Founded

1962

Operated by

Castle Point Borough Council; run by Benfleet and District Historical Society

Admission & discounts

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Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

The cottage is on Canvey Road, further west along the road from the other surviving Dutch cottage in Haven Road, which is privately owned.

Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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