Earls Colne Heritage Museum

ABOUT US

Earls Colne Heritage Museum is located in The Old Water Tower of the former Atlas Works–the R.Hunt agricultural machinery foundry, which was pivotal to the development of the village from a purely agricultural to an industrial village in the 19th & 20th centuries.

Founded in 2005, the Museum is home to artefacts from the Neolithic to the 21st century and is also a centre for village historical and family research.

The Museum is actively engaged with the village and beyond, with a programme of walks, talks, school visits and liaison with other village organizations and also with other museums.

The Museum welcomes both visitors and online enquiries.

LANCASTER MEMORIAL

On the 20th September 2024 the Museum unveiled a memorial to the 15 aircrew of Lancaster LM167 & LL802, killed exactly 80 years prior as the result of a tragic mid-air collision above the fields of Earls Colne & Great Tey. CLICK HERE for the story of the accident and the Memorial.

Earls Colne in Earliest Times

In Roman times this part of Essex was occupied by a native tribe called the Trinovantes. The tribal centre, that we know as Colchester and which they called Cumulodunum, became the capital of the Roman province.

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Re-used Roman bricks

Tile and brick production has been a long-established local industry and re-used Roman bricks have been identified in the base of the tower of St. Andrew’s Church, Earls Colne

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The Atlas Works and the Hunt Family

Robert Hunt, a travelling millwright, settled in Earls Colne in 1824. His first workshop was on the Green, next to the Baptist Church.

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The Second World War

Earls Colne aerodrome played a significant part in the air campaign during the Second World War.
Construction of the runways started in 1941 and the Royal Air Force was using the aerodrome within 18 months.

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Earls Colne Heritage Museum

Tucked away in Earls Colne, this museum in a WaterTower is a hidden little gem!

Earls Colne Heritage Museum

2 days ago

Following on from John Stedman’s recent OUT AND ABOUT tour of Upper Holt Street, Museum Volunteer, Mark Claydon undertook some research on The Maltings In Upper Holt Street and put together a document detailing some early history of the premises and the production process used in a malt house.Click here to read the fascinating history of Earl's Colne's own malthouse and its dramatic ending!echm.org.uk/the-wreck-of-the-maltings/ ... See MoreSee Less

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Earls Colne Heritage Museum

tel:+447979531695

Tucked away in Earls Colne, this museum in a WaterTower is a hidden little gem!

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Earls Colne Heritage Museum

3 days ago

John Stedman's back at the library tomorrow 3.30 - 4.30. Come and say hello and ask us anything about Earls Colne. We have had visits from the Y4 children of Earls Colne Primary School at the museum this week, so if they're visiting the Library on Friday we can say hello again! ... See MoreSee Less

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Earls Colne Heritage Museum

5 days ago

ECHM have had a fabulous two days hosting Y4 children and their teachers from Earls Colne Primary School at the Museum. The children have delved into local history which included a mini Atlas Works Tour, the Hunt family, the Scillitoes, de Veres and Ralph Josselin. All part of our rich heritage in Earls Colne. Hope they had as much fun as we did!We'd also like to thank Jonathan from Ingeni Service Group Ltd who gave us an impromptu tour of what was once the Gatehouse and canteen of Hunts Atlas works. We were all delighted.Here we are at the start of the day. ... See MoreSee Less

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HOW TO FIND US

Opening Hours

Open every Saturday & Sunday 12.00 pm – 4.00 pm

Wednesdays 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm

Did you know that ECHM has its own Youtube Channel?

CLICK HERE to view!

Travelling from the West (Halstead):
About 100 yards past the Zebra Crossing,
take the first right into Massingham Drive
keep on this road and the museum is on your left.

Travelling from the east via Earls Colne High Street:
Take the second left after the Zebra Crossing into Massingham Drive,
keep on this road and the museum is on your left.
On a lamppost opposite the turn into Massingham Drive
is a small brown sign pointing to the museum.