What are the 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

Brightlingsea Museum

Name: Brightlingsea Museum
Address: Dove House, Station Road, Brightlingsea, CO70DT, GB
Telephone: +441206307121
Price range: Not Applicable
Rating: 4.9

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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.

17/06/2026

Carnival Day is nearly here - Saturday 20th June. Today a photo possibly from the 1950s, but can you help us with some names

13/06/2026

Over the last two weeks groups from Primary schools in Colchester, St Osyth, Lawford, Elmstead Market, Dedham and Wivenhoe have visited the museum as part of programmes organised by the Brightlingsea Harbour Commission and the Pioneer Trust. We are most grateful to both organisations for including the museum, it was so good to see the children enjoying the museum.
Today's picture is Blessing of the Waters in 1923, don't forget this year's ceremony is on Sunday .

10/06/2026

Don't forget we are open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons now form 1.30 - 4.30, as well as the weekends. So still time to see the exhibition about Brightlingsea in the 1950s which ends on Sunday 14th June

06/06/2026

There is just one more week to see the 1950s exhibition, the last day will Sunday 14th June, Today we have a photo of some of the ladies working at Easipower, in the exhibition we have one of the irons and a toaster made in Brightlingsea.

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.

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!

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.

21/05/2026

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

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.

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

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

http://www.brightlingseamuseum.co.uk/

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