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 tours each Saturday start from the museum.

Tourist Information and small Georgian House Museum. Some interesting rooms over several floors with lift access. Passes half an hour easily especially during a shower in the park. Toilets available but no refreshments but several cafe near by. Attraction is free.

Before we left for our trip to Colchester, I contacted the tourists information staff located in the Hollytrees Museum. What a wealth of knowledge they were. They sent me numerous emails responding to my many questions about lodging and the best way for transportation from Heathrow to Colchester. They even sent me bus schedules and plentiful information on what to see and do in the Colchester area. We live in the States and the cost for them to mail me these things was significant. I so appreciated all there help. When we did arrive in Colchester , we did visit the museum. I found it very interesting and again, the ladies working there so helpful with maps and information.

Was really excited to visit this museum due to the old toys and games we knew it contained. We arrived at the entrance as a man was coming out to it who actually looked at us like we were doing something wrong by being there. I smiled at him waiting for him to say something… nothing?! I had to say ‘Is it ok to go in?’ To which he replied yes. Not at all welcoming. The displays themselves were nice especially the dolls houses… wow! But we didn’t like the mixture of new and old toys in the same cabinets often with no explanation of them. The visit itself only took less than an hour. The female staff member in the gift shop on the way out was much more professional. Would only recommend this place for the incredible dolls houses. I think the rest needs a revamp.

We enjoyed exploring all the different rooms in this lovely building. Had some interactive areas for kids which was a nice touch. Also had a lovely gift shop and staff were very friendly.

Interesting range of exhibits well presented well worth an hour of your time. Especially like the twentieth century domestic objects.

Not too much here, but what is is very enjoyable. Child life exhibit very interesting, gives good insight into life in the past. However, this place focuses very much on the upper class, leaving the lower classes unrepresented. Overall, a good place for a couple of hours, but don't plan to spend a day here.

The museum is free to get in, but please leave a donation... It contains some wonderful things, a lot connected with the area. A room devoted to clocks, the Bernard Mason Clock Gallery, including many wonderful grandfather ones, some 400 years old. A room with some wonderful old toys in, a few paintings of local people through history, old household objects, a little bit devoted to the local girl who wrote "twinkle twinkle little star"... A lovely garden to the side. No cafe here, but little shop and also toilets

I was enjoying my visit untill the floor with the children's toys in .... I'm pretty certain there are some spiritual beings around as they did not Like my being around , I felt ill, and I had the urge to leave to feel better. I think a cleansing is due ... They the children are not happy

As access to this is free, come and spend an hour or so finding out about Colchester's history through the centuries. Small displays and information on several floors to check out. Get more info from the knowledgeable guides in the tourist info on the ground floor.