Visit Essex Police Museum in Chelmsford: Opening Times, Exhibits and What to Expect

Chelmsford is home to a fascinating museum that many people living in the city may never have visited.

The Essex Police Museum, based at Essex Police Headquarters in Springfield, tells the story of policing across the county from the Victorian era through to the modern day.

Established as a charity in 1992, the museum looks after a collection of more than 25,000 historical objects connected with Essex Police and the communities it has served since 1840.

For anyone interested in local history, crime, policing or simply looking for something different to do in Chelmsford, it is well worth adding to the list.

What can you see at Essex Police Museum?

The museum's collection charts the changing face of policing in Essex over more than 180 years.

Its thousands of artefacts provide an insight into how officers worked, how police equipment and uniforms have changed and how crime and policing have developed since the Victorian period.

The museum is particularly suitable for families, with interactive elements helping younger visitors discover what police officers do and how policing has changed over the generations.

There is also a substantial archive associated with the museum, making it an interesting resource for people researching local or family history.

Is Essex Police Museum free?

Yes. General admission to Essex Police Museum on its normal Saturday opening days is free.

There is no need to make an appointment for an ordinary Saturday visit.

Charges apply to some organised group and school visits.

Essex Police Museum opening times

The museum is normally open:

Saturday: 10am–4pm

Last admission is at 3.30pm.

The museum is closed to general visitors from Monday to Friday, although pre-booked visits can be arranged between Tuesday and Friday.

During school holidays, the museum also opens on selected Wednesdays from 10am, with last admission at 3.30pm. Visitors planning a Wednesday trip should check the museum's latest information before travelling, as these additional dates vary.

Sensory-friendly visits

Essex Police Museum also runs monthly sensory-friendly sessions for visitors who may prefer a quieter environment.

During these sessions, sounds and spotlights are switched off to create a calmer experience.

Sensory packs are available to visitors at any time, and people are welcome to bring their own support items.

Where is Essex Police Museum?

Essex Police Museum

Essex Police Headquarters

Springfield

Chelmsford

Essex

CM2 6DN

The museum is located within the Essex Police Headquarters site in Springfield, a short distance from Chelmsford city centre.

Parking at Essex Police Museum

Parking is available for Saturday visitors at the Orchard car park, with Essex Police advising visitors using sat-nav to use postcode CM2 6DN / Kingston Crescent.

There is no general visitor parking for the additional Wednesday openings.

Accessible parking bays are available a short walk from the museum entrance.

The museum itself is wheelchair and pushchair accessible and has an accessible toilet.

Meet Chelmsford's PCSOs

On selected dates throughout the year, Police Community Support Officers also visit the museum as part of Essex Police's "Let's Talk" events.

Visitors can speak to PCSOs about modern policing in Chelmsford, ask questions about their work and receive crime-prevention advice.

These sessions provide an interesting contrast with the historic policing exhibits elsewhere in the museum — showing how policing in Essex has developed from its Victorian beginnings to the service operating across the county today.

A different day out in Chelmsford

With free admission and more than 180 years of local policing history to explore, Essex Police Museum is one of Chelmsford's more unusual attractions.

It could make a particularly good short Saturday visit for families, local-history enthusiasts and anyone interested in crime and policing.

And with more than 25,000 objects in its wider collection, there is considerably more history sitting inside Essex Police Headquarters than many Chelmsford residents probably realise.

Planning a visit? Opening arrangements can change, particularly for school-holiday Wednesdays and special events, so check the latest information from Essex Police before travelling.