Essex Police Museum
Established as a charity in 1992, the Essex Police Museum tells the story of Essex Police.
From the Victorian era to today, our museum has over 25,000 historical artefacts in our collection. Each artefact provides a glimpse into how Essex Police helped to keep our Essex communities safe and catch criminals since 1840.
At the museum we work to preserve the history of Essex Police. We collect, look after and display items relevant to our history with a view to providing Essex communities with an insight into the history of their police service.
Visit us
It's free to visit our museum on a Saturday. And during the school holiday's on a Wednesday too.
For groups bookings (10 or more) and school visits, there is a fee. Please contact us to book your group visit.
Opening hours
Monday: Closed
Tuesday to Friday: Pre-booked visits.
No parking available.
Saturday: Open 10am-4pm. No appointment needed, last entry at 3.30pm.
Parking available at Orchard car park (sat nav CM2 6DN Kingston Crescent).
Museum closed
The museum will be closed on Saturday 8 March.
During school holidays we also open from 10am on a Wednesday. No appointment needed, last entry at 3.30pm. No parking available.
- Wednesday 19 February
- Wednesday 9 and 16 April
- Wednesday 28 May
- Wednesday 30 July
- Wednesday 6, 13, 20 and 27 August
- Wednesday 29 October
Every month, we have sensory friendly sessions at our museum for those who would enjoy a quieter, calmer experience. Sounds and spotlights will be turned off to help create a more neutral environment.
Our sensory packs are available to all visitors at any time. Visitors are also welcome to bring their own support items.
We have free accessible parking bays which are a short walk to the museum entrance. As well as being wheelchair and pushchair accessible, we also have an accessible toilet. If you need further information to plan your visit please contact us.
- Saturday 25 January, 2pm to 4pm
- Saturday 22 February, 2pm to 4pm
- Saturday 29 March, 2pm to 4pm
- Saturday 26 April, 2pm to 4pm
- Saturday 31 May, 2pm to 4pm
- Saturday 28 June, 2pm to 4pm
- Saturday 26 July, 2pm to 4pm
- Saturday 2 August, 2pm to 4pm
- Saturday 30 August, 2pm to 4pm
- Saturday 27 September, 2pm to 4pm
- Saturday 25 October, 2pm to 4pm
- Saturday 13 December, 2pm to 4pm
We have created audio content to enhance your visit.
Listen to our podcast or scan the QR code at the museum to play the episodes relating to each display.
Episodes are between one and five minutes long and can be downloaded and listened to offline. We've also included some bonus content.
Transcribed content is available at the museum till.
To ensure those with visual impairments also get the best experience from their visit, we have a touch-box which contains items that can be handled. Please speak to a member of museum staff on arrival.
Please contact us if you require a copy of our risk assessment. If you need to visit the museum to conduct your own risk assessment ahead of your visit, please contact us to arrange an appointment, or drop in when we're open on a Saturday.
Find out more
Upcoming events
Throughout the year we are joined by some of our Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) at the museum.
They'll be ready chat to you about policing today, what they do, and how they support the community. They can also answer any questions you might have about community policing and provide crime prevention advice too.
We hope to see you there.
Upcoming dates:
- Saturday 15 February, 11am to 1pm.
- Saturday 15 March, 11am to 1pm.
- Saturday 19 April, 11am to 1pm.
- Saturday 17 May, 11am to 1pm.
- Saturday 21 June, 11am to 1pm.
- Saturday 19 July, 11am to 1pm.
- Saturday 20 September, 11am to 1pm.
Stay up to date
Stay up to date with what’s happening at the museum including upcoming events, additional opening times and new items in our collection. Follow us on social media, or take a look at our virtual museum where you’ll find collection of fascinating articles and stories.
