Museum of Chelmsford

About the museum

The Museum of Chelmsford traces its collections back to 1835, when the Chelmsford Philosophical Society founded a museum in part of the old gaol near the stone bridge. In 1843 the collection moved to a purpose-built building in New Bridge Street, and in the early twentieth century the council took it over and moved it to Victoria Road South in 1906.

Since 1930 the museum has been housed in Oaklands House, which the brewer Frederick Wells had built in 1865 in an Italianate style modelled on Queen Victoria’s house at Osborne. The house served as a hospital in the First World War, and Chelmsford Borough Council bought it and its land in 1930. The house stands in Oaklands Park, which has play areas and picnic areas.

A new extension opened in 2010 and houses the Bright Sparks gallery on the industries that grew up in Chelmsford, such as those of Marconi, Hoffmann and Crompton. The museum was refurbished in 2019 with a new café and interactive displays. The permanent displays also cover the Essex Yeomanry, toys and childhood, ceramics, fashion, wildlife and a Victorian kitchen; the Essex Regiment collection was announced in 2025 to move to IWM Duxford.

Highlights

• Bright Sparks gallery on Chelmsford’s pioneering industries, including Marconi
• Story of Chelmsford told through a series of displays
• Essex Yeomanry uniforms, medals and weapons
• Toys and childhood displays and a Victorian kitchen
• Italianate Oaklands House in a 12-acre park with a café in the Victorian drawing room

Permanent exhibitions

• Bright Sparks – How modern industries developed in Chelmsford, with the stories of Marconi, Hoffmann and Crompton.
• Story of Chelmsford – The history of the town told through a series of displays.
• Toys and Childhood – Toys arranged like a toy-shop window.

Founded

1835

Operated by

Chelmsford City Council

Admission & discounts

Members enter free all year. Schools and other groups of children enter free; adults pay £4.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum has ramps and a lift to all floors, which takes one wheelchair, and automatic sliding doors at the entrance. Four Blue Badge bays are near the entrance. A wheelchair can be borrowed on arrival or reserved in advance, and seating is available throughout. Assistance dogs are welcome and a water bowl is provided outside. A large-print guide is available and magnifying glasses can be borrowed. An induction loop is in the Wells Suite and videos with speech are captioned. There is an accessible toilet by the welcome desk and a smaller one in the café, but no Changing Places toilet. Quieter days are Sundays and weekday afternoons, the Our Chelmsford gallery is a calmer space, and SEN Friendly Days run on the second Saturday of the month. Audio-described, braille and BSL resources are in development.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities

Children’s workshops and clubs run through the year, and the SEN Friendly Days (Oi Chelmsford!) take place on the second Saturday of each month. Baby changing facilities are available. Oaklands Park outside has two play areas and picnic areas.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in Oaklands Park off Moulsham Street.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The Hive café is in the Victorian drawing room and has vegetarian, vegan and children’s options. There is also a gift shop.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Two rooms can be hired, the Wells Suite and the Bothy, with equipment and free Wi-Fi for hirers; catering comes from The Hive café.

Plan your visit