The picture above is Trevor Cocks from the Hertfordshire Home Guard Living History Group who has been to the museum on a number of occasions, teaching us about the Home Guard. We have a significant display and archive of the Rayleigh Home Guard from World War Two.
Most important is the definitive book on the history of the Home Guard in Essex entitled Warmen Courageous with a chapter on Rayleigh including many photos of the Rayleigh men who served.Also, on display in the Museum is a discharged shell case, dated 1942, from a Spitfire fighter aircraft, believed to have been fired in anger whilst flying over Castle Road, with the shell case later dug up in a back garden.
Most important is the definitive book on the history of the Home Guard in Essex entitled Warmen Courageous with a chapter on Rayleigh including many photos of the Rayleigh men who served.Also, on display in the Museum is a discharged shell case, dated 1942, from a Spitfire fighter aircraft, believed to have been fired in anger whilst flying over Castle Road, with the shell case later dug up in a back garden.
Services
Copies of the new book "Rayleigh History Tour" written by Museum Chairman Mike Davies and his wife Sharon are available in the Rayleigh Town Museum. RRP is 6.99 but copies (signed if you wish) in the Museum are 5.50 (or 4.95 with your Friends discount!). Rayleigh History Tour provides an insight into the illustrious history of this ancient market town.
Reviews (7)
Andy Segust
Nov 07, 2021
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Susan Horton
Dec 20, 2020
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I have frequent contact with Mike at the museum for my research. It’s a lovely little museum, well laid out and all staff are very helpful and knowledgeable. Displays are changed from time to time, being rotated due to space but if you want to see something specific and it’s not there, they will do their best to get it back in for another time. It’s adult and child friendly too with lots of little fun learning events.
It’s not open currently due to lockdown but I am sure they are all champing at the bit to get it back on track.
It’s not open currently due to lockdown but I am sure they are all champing at the bit to get it back on track.
Mary Pearson
Apr 03, 2020
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Marie Assiter Davies
Sep 02, 2019
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Richard Shorter
Aug 02, 2019
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Susan Smith
Aug 19, 2018
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I took my 7 year old son to the museum today to see the medieval exhibition which is currently running. From the moment we arrived, the volunteers were both friendly and informative and were clearly proud of being part of this little gem...and so they should be! There were so many activities for my son to take part in, including brass rubbing, Anglo Saxon writing, Lego building and dressing up and he came away saying he thought it was "brilliant"! With free entry (donations are welcomed) and brass rubbings costing just 50p, this is a great summer holiday activity which I would highly recommend
Richard Stokes
Jul 26, 2018
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Always worth a visit. Friendly staff are able to help you if you need it. They are very knowledgeable, the artifacts and the documentation are vast for such a small space. You could spend ages there if you wished to do so. I have been multiple times now and I always learn something different every time I go.
