When you’ve ever pushed via Maldon and noticed the brown indicators promoting the Mixed Navy Companies Museum, observe the arrows — you’ve simply discovered one of many UK’s best-kept secrets and techniques. The Mixed Navy Companies Museum might not be the nation’s best-known vacationer attraction, however behind its doorways sits a set that would rival any of the capital’s main establishments.
You’ll be able to’t miss the museum both – there’s an enormous missile launcher parked within the entrance automobile park…
Visiting on a quiet Sunday afternoon, we had the whole museum to ourselves. Initially we practically baulked on the entry charge – and I’m actually glad we didn’t.
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Our non-public tour of the Mixed Navy Companies Museum
We’re presently entertaining some guests from Australia who requested concerning the Mixed Navy Companies Museum. It’s been a few years since our final go to, so we agreed to take them for an hour or two.
By pure luck, one of many museum’s trustees provided us a private tour, and what was meant to be a fast hour or two quickly stretched previous three. Every room led us additional down the rabbit gap of British navy historical past, not simply via the {hardware} on show, but additionally the exceptional human tales behind all of it.
You don’t should be obsessive about warfare, mass destruction or ‘boys toys’ to take pleasure in this place. There’s a stunning quantity of magnificence within the design and ingenuity of the artefacts beginning with Bronze Age spears courting again to 1800BC.
High tip: The rarest objects within the assortment are denoted by yellow info playing cards. A few of these artefacts can’t be discovered anyplace else.
On the bottom ground, guests are handled to an enormous assortment of medieval weapons and armour. There’s even a few artefacts acquired from the Tower of London. And considerably bizarrely, a chair from the 1980 Iranian Embassy siege.
On the second ground, we soar ahead to the twentieth century. There’s just a few objects from the long-forgotten WW1 Zeppelin raid on Maldon together with the one surviving canoe from the legendary ‘Cockleshell Heroes’ raid.
Spy vs Spy
For us, the spotlight was undoubtedly the Navy Intelligence Assortment. This part alone is definitely worth the entrance charge. Suppose spy cameras, bladed footwear, poison darts and secret code machines together with dozens of covert weapons. The sheer audacity of the brokers concerned makes James Bond really feel like a mild-mannered accountant. Most of the covert weapons and devices come from the non-public assortment of Peter and Prudence Mason, whose real-life escapades behind the Iron Curtain might fill a number of thrillers.
Elsewhere, displays seize the civilian expertise of conflict. Shows on the evacuation of kids throughout World Warfare Two act as a poignant counterbalance to the navy focus, reminding guests that battle impacts everybody, not simply these on the entrance strains.
On the highest ground are a number of uniforms spanning British navy historical past. That is clothes engineered with extra care than a vogue home couture piece. The seamstress member of our get together significantly appreciated the standard of the stitches – astonishing element for an outfit which may be worn in a trench or thrown out of a aircraft.
A museum run on ardour
What stands out greater than something, although, is the fervour of the individuals working the museum. It’s staffed fully by volunteers who not solely take pleasure in what they do however show an encyclopaedic data of each artefact, giant or small. Their enthusiasm is infectious and helps carry the shows vividly to life.
The curators clearly share a deep affection for his or her subject material and, judging by the sheer quantity of displays, a complete refusal to ever throw something away. The gathering simply retains rising at an astonishing tempo. And there’s an vital story hooked up to each piece.
The Mixed Navy Companies Museum is a real hidden gem that greater than justifies the journey to Maldon. Whether or not you’re a historical past buff, a fan of intelligent design, or just somebody interested by human ingenuity beneath strain, there’s one thing right here for nearly everybody. If you end up anyplace close by, it’s completely value a cease.
High tip: The museum is launching a brand new ‘Tea and Speak’ membership in January 2026. For simply £7, guests will get entrance to the museum, tea, refreshments and a chat from the CMSM curator about one standout merchandise from the gathering. The membership takes place on the final Friday of each month all through 2026.
Sensible info
The Mixed Navy Companies Museum is positioned on Station Highway, Maldon. It’s a very quick stroll from Travelodge Maldon.
There’s restricted parking on-site and the constructing is absolutely accessible. The museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday, normally from 10.30am to 5pm, but it surely’s value checking the web site earlier than travelling, as hours can differ for particular occasions.
Tickets price: £9.50 for adults£6.50 for beneath 16s£8.50 for concessions and college students£30.00 for a household ticket (2 adults + 3 youngsters)
Given the size of the gathering, entrance costs are affordable – and also you’ll seemingly get way over your cash’s value.
There are two disabled parking areas to the aspect of the primary museum constructing.
The museum’s official web site will be discovered at www.cmsm.co.uk.
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