Southchurch Hall Museum Essex

The house was restored in the late 1920s, having been purchased by Thomas Dowsett and presented to the town for use as a museum or library. For many years the Hall was used as a branch library but, following local government re-organization in 1974, when libraries were placed under the control of Essex County Council, the Hall was converted to museum use.

Southchurch Hall is now laid out in a series of period rooms, the great open hall reflecting life in the later Middle Ages. The solar wing displays life in Tudor and Stuart times, while the service wing is devoted to domestic life through several centuries. On the first floor is a Victorian bedroom.

ideal setting for discovering what life was like in medieval, Tudor and Stuart and Victorian times, educational groups make constant use of the Hall throughout the year. Visitors are encouraged to touch and handle many of the items in the great hall, which are used in the exciting and varied educational work of Southchurch Hall. On entering the Hall, set at the centre of a small park, it is difficult to remember that you are in the middle of large modern town. This is especially the case when you are greeted at the entrance by Sir Robert, our very own Tudor lord of the manor….

The Southend Museum Service can help schools to explore different areas of the National Curriculum including History, Art and Science.

There are many ways that Southend Museum Service can support you in bringing the National Curriculum alive. These include…

Museum Visits

Bring your class along to learn more about History, Science or Natural History. These may include visits to the Museum Planetarium or handling of genuine historical artefacts!

School Loans

We also offer a school loan service where you can borrow many different things to really excite your class

Please feel free to contact us to discuss your precise requirements.

Up to 30 children.

Please call for further information above.

Yes, with prior permission.

Please call for further information above.

Please call above to book the guide lecturer.

Child – £1.90

Teachers – Free

No.

Most staff are first aid trained, please bring a Qualified first aider within your group.

Shop – prices start from about 50p.

Packed lunches can be eaten in the park where the museum is situated – weather permitting of course.

Please call with your specific needs.