Brightlingsea Museum

Brightlingsea Museum Brightlingsea: a small town with a big history. Open Sat 10:30-4:30,
Sun 1:30-4:30,
Bank Holiday Mon 10:30-4:30, School holidays Wed-Fri 1:30-4:30.
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Established in 1989 the Brightlingsea Museum reopened in 2020 in new premises after a major project to install new exhibitions and facilities. Prepare to be amazed! This is no quiet museum with glass cases, here information is presented in a variety of formats, precise text, stunning images, a wide range of artefacts, audio visual presentations and a range of interactives, some that will certainly

make you think and contribute to an experience that you will long remember. The significant support of the National Heritage Lottery enabled the Museum to construct exciting and ambitious exhibitions depicting the story of the town’s links with the sea and River Colne. From its unique role as a Limb of the Cinque Ports, the only one north of the Thames, and its support for the nation as a Naval Base, in Tudor times and in both World Wars. Exhibitions reflect how the town developed from a small village to a thriving community where men earnt their living in the shipyards, building vessels that saw service all over the world, or were involved with the ancient oyster trade or stowboating (fishing for sprats), skills that lead them to become highly valued captains and crew members of majestic cruising and racing yachts from Victorian days to the mid twentieth Century. With a programme of temporary exhibitions and activities, together with facilities for research this is indeed a museum you will need and want to make many return visits.

This photo is from May 1926 when the Brightlingsea Sailing Club opened their new Clubhouse on St Osyth Stone . Harry C...
30/05/2026

This photo is from May 1926 when the Brightlingsea Sailing Club opened their new Clubhouse on St Osyth Stone . Harry Chamberlain was Commodore and the Vice C was Horace Fisher also Deputy that year.

The Museum is open from 10.30 today, why not call in on your way back from the car boot sale or a stroll along the prom....
25/05/2026

The Museum is open from 10.30 today, why not call in on your way back from the car boot sale or a stroll along the prom. Today's photo is one of the favourites from our 1950s exhibition, which ends in two weeks, so call in, it really is fascinating - but we're not too sure about one or two of the outfits!

Another Bank Holiday weekend coming up, we will be open Saturday and Sunday as normal and then on Monday from 10.30 to 4...
22/05/2026

Another Bank Holiday weekend coming up, we will be open Saturday and Sunday as normal and then on Monday from 10.30 to 4.30.
There are now just two weeks to see the 1950s exhibition. So much for those who do remember those days to see, and a fascinating opportunity for those that don't to see how this was a decade when life was starting to make some dramatic changes like television and music as seen in our photos for today - a popular local band and later in the decade a skiffle group.

Do have a look in our window an early reminder that the carnival is next month!
21/05/2026

Do have a look in our window an early reminder that the carnival is next month!

A wonderful photo of Spring Road and the corner of North Road. possibly 1920s. The one word we can see over the shop is...
19/05/2026

A wonderful photo of Spring Road and the corner of North Road. possibly 1920s. The one word we can see over the shop is 'Hovis' and the sign alongside the bay window is for Cadburys chocolate.

A big thank you to everyone that called into the Red Lion last Saturday and to the ladies at the Thorrington Community C...
16/05/2026

A big thank you to everyone that called into the Red Lion last Saturday and to the ladies at the Thorrington Community Centre on Wednesday when we took along a mini exhibition of the watercolours from the 1860s and 70s. The display boards are now in the Museum's Reading Room and all of the illustrations are on the computers - available for everyone to see - they are really lovely.
Todays the Red Lion as it was in 1870, with special thanks to Michaela and her staff for their warm welcome

09/05/2026
Today's picture is a lovely photo of East End Green, probably taken in the late 1890's or early years of the next centur...
09/05/2026

Today's picture is a lovely photo of East End Green, probably taken in the late 1890's or early years of the next century. Florence Ruffell took many photographs at this time - perhaps this is one of hers.

We are looking forward to our visit to Thorrington and meeting some residents of the village and Frating to share with t...
06/05/2026

We are looking forward to our visit to Thorrington and meeting some residents of the village and Frating to share with them some of the beautiful watercolours in this newly restored album, which will be preserved for generations to come.- and who knows, they might even be living in one of the lanes or cottages or farmhouses so beautifully recorded

Off to the car boot sale or a stroll along the Prom? Then why not call in to see our exhibition about Brightlingsea in t...
04/05/2026

Off to the car boot sale or a stroll along the Prom? Then why not call in to see our exhibition about Brightlingsea in the 1950s, we are open today from 10.30 to 4.30pm.

Today's photo, a recent donation. is from a YMCA fete in 1951 (or 57) - can you help with some names?

Address

Dove House, Station Road
Brightlingsea
CO70DT

Opening Hours

Wednesday 1:30pm - 4:30pm
Thursday 1:30pm - 4:30pm
Friday 1:30pm - 4:30pm
Saturday 10:30am - 4:30pm
Sunday 1:30pm - 4:30pm

Telephone

+441206307121

Website

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