There are thousands of exhibits in the Museum covering all periods of Rayleigh’s history including more recent years. Just a small sample below of some of the collection you can see when you come into the Museum
Normal Opening Times
Wednesday - 10am to 4pm
Friday - 10am to 4pm
Saturday - 10am to 4pm
Entry to the Museum is FREE
1st Floor, 91 High Street, Rayleigh SS6 7EJ
Disabled access is by our internal lift which is approved for Disabled / Wheelchair users. More information is available, select here.
If you are visiting us by car, we can provide you with details of all the car parks in Rayleigh by selecting here.
If you use the App WHAT 3 WORDS then you can locate us at
what3words address: ///quarrel.scout.mute
MEMBERSHIP
Become a “Museum Friend ”
Membership Fees
2026/2027
Single Membership - £13.00
Family Membership - £18.00*
* all living at same address
The Rayleigh Town Museum is a registered charity operated by Volunteers. The building at 91 High Street, Rayleigh is a Grade II listed building which is a timber-framed house dating from at least the 14th century, so a great location to house a Museum. The museum received funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund for its "inception, development and sustainability." It was officially opened by the local MP, Mark Francois, on 9 April 2016.
01268 773535
(Answerphone when we are closed)
welcome@rayleightownmuseum.org
Use our Web Form, select the icon above
OUR SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS
There is a shop inside the Museum where you can purchase Souvenirs and Mementos of your visit including, books, DVD’s, post cards and lots more.
Gift Aid
Gift Aid allows us to claim the basic rate of tax from the Inland Revenue on a donation made by a UK tax-paying donor. At the current basic rate of income tax we can claim 25p for every £1 donated. It doesn't cost you a penny.
Select here to read more information
Accessibility Information
Dementia Friendly signage
in the
Museum
If you would like to become a Museum Volunteer, we would love to welcome you so please give us a call on 01268 773535 and if we are closed, please leave us a message.
Original Timbers from Rayleigh Castle
The Origin of the Castle
The Museum has the honour of having on display original timbers from Rayleigh Castle.
Take a look at the Castle Time Line to see how events progressed since 1070 AD
Come into the Museum to learn more about Rayleigh Castle’s history and the amazing timbers which are on display.
Case No 17 which displays many of the items associated with World War II including details of the German V2 rocket, Gas masks, Spitfire ammunition, ration books, shrapnel, the Battle Dress and lots more …….
Dozens of volumes, hundreds of maps and information about Rayleigh’s past just waiting for you to research just because you want to know more about what went on in and around Rayleigh or for a project you are involved in …
Did you know that once upon a time, Rayleigh had a Cinema?
You didn’t, well come on into the Museum to find out more and see the projector and other things from the Cinema.
If you complete the Membership Form via our Web Form you will also need to complete a Standing Order Form to provide to your Bank for future renewal payments. If you select HERE, you can download a copy, complete and sign it then hand it in at the Museum or post it to us as the address in this page heading.
You will be helping to maintain and grow Rayleigh’s Museum for future generations …..
Wednesday 29th APRIL
to 30th MAY
Rayleigh Speedway Exhibition - Learn about the fascinating history of Rayleigh Speedway Stadium and the Rayleigh Rockets Speedway Team.
"Tracks, Trains and The Crown"
A talk by Alan Clarke of 34 years of Railway Policing and the famous faces he met along the way.
Tickets: Friends £5.00 -
Non-Friends £6.00
Available from the Museum
Thursday 14th MAY
Cllr Jo McPherson, Chairman of Rochford District Council, will give us an overview of Council procedure, some history of the Chamber and building and speak of her experience chairing Council meetings, with an opportunity for questions afterwards. Following this visit, members of the Friends team will be going to the recently opened Mill Café and invite you to join them there. Please note, that refreshments will be at your own expense.
There are 30 tickets available priced at £4 for Friends and £5 for non-Friends which can be purchased from the Museum.
See the EVENTS section for all the Events
taking place in 2026
As a small Charity, run entirely by Volunteers, Rayleigh Town Museum rely on the generous donations of all our Friend’s Group, Visitors and Sponsors.
By leaving a gift in your
Will, you can help support the work of the Museum and the heritage of this wonderful Town of ours, for all future generations.
Every gift, large or small, will make a lasting difference to our future.
Select here to read more information
Supported by:
RAYLEIGH TOWN COUNCIL
Thank you to all our Museum Sponsors
We would like to thank them for their generous support and look forward to working with them in the future.
Select any of the Sponsor’s Logos
to link you to their website
Would you like to become a sponsor?
The Museum is entirely managed by volunteers and needs the support of our visitors and friends. Why not become a sponsor and help secure the Museum for future generations.
Email
welcome@rayleightownmuseum.org
Celebrating the Museum’s
50,000th Visitor
Presentation to Mike Thornley, who visited the Museum on 15th April, 2026, 10 years since the Museum’s opening in 2016
The Museum continues to provide the community in and around Rayleigh with Exhibitions, artefacts and history both now and for present and future generations.
If you find anything on our website not working as you would expect, email us at - itsupport@rayleightownmuseum.org
1st Floor, 91 High Street, Rayleigh SS6 7EJ
ENTRY TO THE MUSEUM IS FREE via THE LIFT
