Hollytrees Museum is a free to visit, publicly owned museum in the centre of Colchester and close to Colchester Castle. It is situated in an eighteenth-century house ("Hollytrees"), which was used as a private residence until 1929, when it became a museum.Hollytrees Museum is just one of the many highlights you can arrange to see using our , custom trip planner Edition.
The first house on the site, known as "Symnells" after its owner, was later bought by the Shaw family, and passed from John Shaw to John Shaw III and John Shaw IV. When he died a minor, the house passed into chancery; his mother Jane Lessingham bought it but soon died. The modern house was constructed in for Elizabeth Cornelisen, who had bought the site from Lessingham's executors and promptly tore down the existing structure in poor condition. Construction commenced on 10 May 1718 at a cost of £630 plus brickwork and tiling; the total refurbishment was estimated to have cost £2000. She died soon after, bequeathing the house to her niece, Sarah Creffeild (née Webster), who left it to her second husband Charles Gray. It was, at that time, known as "Esqr Creffield's [sic]". Possession of the house reverted to the Creffeilds; through Thamer Creffeild to James Round, who left to his brother Charles, who left it to his son Charles Gray Round, who left to it to his nephew James Round. The Rounds finally sold it to the Corporation of Colchester in 1922, a purchase paid for privately by Viscount Cowdray and his wife. It became a museum in 1929.
The house is known as Hollytrees after two holly trees planted in the grounds by Charles Gray in 1729 and is now a free to visit museum serving the centre of Colchester and specialising in local history. It is a grade I listed building.
Source
Create an itinerary including Hollytrees Museum
© OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap contributors
Hollytrees Museum reviews
-
this museum is definitely worth a visit if your visiting the castle or the park or maybe even both. you can spend around 2 hours here browsing the exhibits. certainly recommend more »
-
Very nice small museum. The long case clocks were very interesting as were the dolls houses and toys. Very interesting also to see things hidden away by children back in Victorian times! The guided... more »
-
An interesting museum, showing the history of the town of Colchester, and it is free. Well worth a visit when in Colchester, the bonus is that it is in Castle Park and adjacent to the castle, so no real excuse for not visiting. Once inside you will find pleasant and helpful staff.
-
For a museum that costs nothing to enter, Hollytrees is great! There's a lot in there for all ages to enjoy, in particular some great interactive areas to keep children entertained. Has a nice little gift store at the entrance/exit. Well worth a visit whilst you're in the Castle grounds.
Plan your trip to Colchester
Get a personalized trip
A complete day by day itinerary
based on your preferencesCustomize it
Refine your trip. We'll find the
best routes and schedulesBook it
Choose from the best hotels
and activities. Up to 50% offManage it
Everything in one place.
Everyone on the same page.
Popular things to do in Colchester
Hidden gems in Colchester
Side trips from Colchester
Historic Sites in Colchester
Parks in Colchester
Trips to Hollytrees Museum by other users
60 days in United Kingdom, Western Ireland & Dublin
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Glasgow
Isle of Skye
Edinburgh
32 days in Woodbridge
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Newborne Springs Nature Reserve
Woodbridge Golf Club
Sutton Hoo
4 days in Colchester
BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM
Colchester Castle Museum
The Claudius Gateway
Colchester Arts Centre
6 days in Great Yarmouth
BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM
Time and Tide Museum
Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery
Norwich Cathedral
8 days in Colchester
BY A USER FROM MALTA
Dutch Quarter
St. Helen's Chapel
Bourne Mill
1 day in Essex
BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM
Colchester