Free Essex Witch Museum Opens Pop-Up Exhibition at Chelmsford's Historic Shire Hall This Half Term
Families visiting Chelmsford this October half term can discover the county's fascinating and sometimes dark history of witchcraft trials when the Essex Witch Museum opens a free pop-up exhibition at Shire Hall.
The exhibition will run from Monday 26 October until Sunday 1 November 2026, opening daily between 10am and 4pm.
Organised as part of Chelmsford For You's Witches of Chelmsford celebrations, the temporary museum will explore Essex's historical association with witchcraft, the persecution of people accused of being witches and the lives of those caught up in the county's witch trials.
Admission is completely free, and visitors do not need to book in advance.
Why Was Essex Known as 'Witch County'?
Essex has a long and troubling history of witchcraft accusations, particularly during the 16th and 17th centuries.
The exhibition will explore why the county became associated with witch trials and what life was like for people accused of practising witchcraft.
Visitors will also discover the differences between witches and the so-called Cunning Folk — people who were traditionally consulted for remedies, charms and other forms of folk healing.
The exhibition aims to bring this often-overlooked chapter of Essex history to life, helping visitors understand the beliefs, fears and social circumstances surrounding historical witchcraft accusations.
A Historic Setting in Chelmsford
The pop-up exhibition will take place inside Shire Hall in Tindal Square, a particularly fitting location given Chelmsford's own connections to Essex's witch trial history.
Shire Hall has long been associated with the administration of justice in the county, while Chelmsford was an important centre for historical witchcraft proceedings.
The temporary museum gives residents and visitors an opportunity to explore this history in the heart of the city.
Part of a Week of Free Halloween Activities
The exhibition forms part of the wider Witches of Chelmsford programme, which runs throughout October half term.
Families can also take part in the free Witches of Chelmsford Tarot Trail, collecting a special spellbook from the museum at Shire Hall before searching for ten numbered tarot cards around the city centre.
Once the cards have been found and arranged in the correct order, participants can uncover a secret spell word and claim a set of themed stickers.
The festival also features a changing programme of free activities, including science demonstrations, creative workshops and Halloween-themed crafts.
Some workshops require advance booking, but the museum exhibition and Tarot Trail are free to visit without a reservation.
When Is the Essex Witch Museum Open?
- Dates: Monday 26 October – Sunday 1 November 2026
- Opening times: 10am–4pm daily
- Location: Shire Hall, Tindal Square, Chelmsford
- Admission: Free
- Booking: Not required
- Organiser: Chelmsford For You, working with the Essex Witch Museum
The exhibition provides an unusual opportunity to combine a free family day out with a closer look at Chelmsford's local history.
For the full programme of activities, visit Chelmsford For You's official Witches of Chelmsford page.
You can also read our guide to the free Witches of Chelmsford Festival 2026 for more half-term activities across the city centre.