Canvey Island Dutch Cottage Museum

Details

Accessibility:

There is level access into the Cottage grounds from the car park, albeit a little uneven in front of the entry gate.  However, from the adjoining public footpath there are 3 steps down to the car park surface.

A level brick paved finished path leads up to the cottage and continues around the cottage; from there reasonably level access is provided into and out of the Cottage itself.  There are small trip hazards across door thresholds including across an internal door so care is needed.

Access to the first floor of the cottage is via a narrow steep wooden staircase comprising 9 risers with a rope handrail to assist - see photos.  Note that the ceiling height in the lower level of the cottage is only 5ft 3in (1.6m) so care is needed to avoid bumping head on timber beams over.

To the rear of the Cottage grounds is a further larger exhibit room.  This has a brick paved ramp giving access and again there is reasonably level access into the building although a door threshold does present a small trip hazard so care needed.  Once inside there is level access throughout.

To the south side of the garden is an open enclosure housing an exhibit of an old timber sluice pipe dating from 1620.  Access to this is across a reasonably level and well maintained grass lawn.

Brief description:

Small Museum housing various historical artefacts and pictures relating to the history of Canvey Island.  Items are housed in the Cottage as well as a larger exhibits building on the site.  Canvey Island was drained and embanked in the 17th Century by a Dutch Engineer along with many Dutch workers.  They built numerous octagonal cottages to house their families and this is one of two on the island that have survived.  This one was restored and opened as a Museum in 1962.

Address:

haljisar@btinternet.com

Phone:

01268 698276

Website:

https://www.castlepoint.gov.uk/dutch-cottage-museum/

Directions:

The Dutch Cottage Museum is located on the west of the island.

From the A13, follow the signs to Canvey Island; From the A127 or A12, take the A130 towards Canvey.  Once on Canvey Island, follow the A130 and signs to seafront and Industrial areas.  Stay on A130 following signs and at the third roundabout (Northwick Corner) where you will see industrial buildings opposite as you reach the roundabout, take the third exit signposted towards the superstore and immediately as you leave the roundabout turn right/north to take you into the service road to the Garden Centre.  Travel past the Garden Centre and keep on that road until you can go no further and you will be in the car park to the Museum with the Cottage on your left side (west).

SO TQ 774837

Opening Times:

2:30 to 5:00pm on Spring and Summer Bank Holiday Mondays, Sundays from June to the end of September and Wednesdays during July and August.

It will also open for groups on other days by arrangement.

Entry is free although donations welcomed.

Transport:

For more travel information go to http://www.traveline.info/ or call 0871 200 22 33.

The nearest railway station is Benfleet on the C2C line between Southend-on-Sea and London Fenchurch Street. 

Bus number 21 runs from Benfleet Station past the end of the road leading to the Museum.

Bus routes as at July 2019

Amenities:

There is a car park adjoining the Museum and including one disability parking bay.

There are no toilet facilities nor facilities to buy food and drink at the Museum.

The nearest toilets including a disability toilet is at McDonalds located off Northwick Road and is approx 0.4 mile and a 7 -10 minute walk away.  There is also a disability toilet at Morrisons Supermarket which is neighbouring McDonalds and a further 2-3 minute walk.