Essex Record Office: Archive Access Point
Library, Market Square, Saffron Walden. Tel. 01799 523178
e-mail: zofia.everett@essexcc.gov.uk
Tue/Fri 9 am-1 pm, 2-5 pm; Sat 9 am-1 pm.
Microform facilities only, relating to north-west Essex including census, parish registers, manor court records, land tax lists, Essex wills, Guardians” minutes, parish records, estate archives. There is also computer access to the ERO online catalogue SEAX.
Saffron Walden Library
Market Square, Saffron Walden. Tel. 01799 523178
e-mail: saffronwaldenlibrary@essexcc.gov.uk
website: www.essexcc.gov.uk/libraries
Town Library website: www.townlib.org.uk
Mon, Tues, Fri 9 am–7 pm; Thurs 9am – 8 pm; Sat 9 am – 5 pm; Sun 1 pm – 4 pm (restricted access Sundays).
Saffron Walden Library includes a Victorian Studies Centre and Local Studies with a vast range of resources on NW Essex and elsewhere. Much is based on a collection called the Town Library, a large collection of antiquarian volumes which is held in Trust by the County Council. Microform holdings include Essex newspaper microfilms, the IGI and local census records. There are files on prominent local families. The photographic collection comprises 15,000 images, many in scrapbooks of local history. There is a full range of history periodicals, including many of Victorian date. There is free access to the Internet for up to one hour per day.
Saffron Walden Museum
Museum Street, Saffron Walden. Tel/Fax 01799 510333/510344.
e-mail: museum@uttlesford.gov.uk
Daily 10 am–5 pm April-October; 10 am-4.30 pm November-March. Sundays & Bank Holidays 2 pm-5 pm summer; 2 pm-4.30 pm winter. Closed Christmas Eve & Christmas Day. Admission £1 adults, discounts 50p, children free. Annual season tickets £3, £1.50, free.
The Museum archives have much to interest historians, and the catalogue can be viewed at the Town Library or at Archive Access. The Museum has extensive collections on local history, archaeology, ethnography, natural history & geology, decorative arms including ceramics, textiles, woodwork. Research facilities are available ONLY by prior appointment.
Great Dunmow Maltings Museum (also Town Museum)
The Maltings, Mill Lane, Great Dunmow, CM6 1BG Tel 01371 878979
Open Saturdays & Sundays 11 am-4pm; Bank Holidays after Easter to end October; closed Christmas & New Year. A unique complex dating from c.1560 retaining infrastructure used to produce malt for over 400 years.
Ashdon Museum
This is a fascinating village museum well worth a visit. For information on access, telephone 01799 584252
John Webb’s Windmill, Thaxted (includes museum)
For information on access, telephone 01371 830285
Tourist Information Centres
Market Place, Saffron Walden. Tel 01799 510444
Clarance House, Watling Street. Tel 01371 831641
Council Offices, High Street, Great Dunmow. Tel 01799 510490.
