The museum houses original British military artifacts, a number of which are of national importance including the only surviving MK2 ‘Cockle’ canoe as used in the ‘Cockelshell Heroes’ raid.

On view are excellent displays of Civil War armour as well as fully equipped models of paratroopers from Arnhem, Suez and the Faulklands. A significient feature of the collection is a TSR2 jet engine, the only remaining example on public display

There is a unique collection of espionage equipment belonging to two British agents. The collection consists of ‘James Bond’ style gadgets including shoes with hidden blade and a fountain pen gun. There is also a Bulgarian Umberella – the type used to assisinate Georgi Markov in 1978.

Built in the first half of Henry VIII’s reign, Layer Marney Tower is in many ways the apotheosis of the Tudor Gatehouse. The building is principally the creation of Henry 1st Lord Marney, who died in 1523, and his son John, who continued the building work but died just two years later, leaving no male heirs to continue the family line or the construction. What was completed was the main range measuring some three hundred feet long, the principal gatehouse that is about eighty feet tall, a fine array of outbuildings, and a new church.

No visit to Maldon would be complete without visiting the Hythe Quay which is the home of the sailing barge, Maldon’s living heritage.

Many of the barges here have been lovingly restored by devoted owners and some are still in use commercially as charter vessels. The distinctive colour of the barge sails is due to a dressing of yellow ochre , cod oil (for waterproofing), and sea water. You can often see sails spread out on the quay for dressing with long handled brushes.

Parking is limited in the immediate vacinity of the quay but there is a large car park in the ajacent Promenade Park or others off the High Street, just a few minutes walk away.

Promenade Park has the widest range of facilities of any park in the Maldon District. This, coupled with its stunning location overlooking the River Blackwater means that it is also the most popular park with over 300,000 visitors a year.