Jaywick Martello Tower: Open the Box - Crafts and memory sharing
Celebrate the Tower at Twenty and become a part of history by contributing your own special memory of Jaywick to the Essex Record Office archives.
The Essex Record Office collect historical documents that tell the story of over 1000 years of Essex history. Join us at Jaywick Martello Tower to explore our handling collection and create postcards to share your local memories.
We will also have Martello Tower badges to decorate and take away!
Open the Box is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to connect with communities across Essex to raise awareness of archives and collect new stories.
Event details
Explore Essex
Search our parks and places to plan your perfect day out

Need to know
Explorer Pass
Save money with your Explorer Pass
Our annual Explore Essex Pass will give you and your family the freedom to explore some of the incredible places and green spaces that Essex has to offer, as many times as you like throughout the year, with free parking at seven country parks, 2 or 1 on Sky Ropes, priority booking on specific events, and 10% discounts at many cafes and visitor centres.
Related events

Jaywick Martello Tower Spring Talks: The British Storm and Flood of 1953
The storm of 31 January 1953 brought tragedy on land and sea. Join Adam Wright for this talk.
- Dates: March 13, 2026
- Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
- Times: 11:00am - 12:00pm
- For adults
- Price: £3.00

Jaywick Martwllo Tower Spring Talks: The Rise and fall of Colchester's Good Time Girls 1855-1895
This talk by Dr Jane Pearson examines the difficulties involved in attempts to control Colchester's serious prostitution problem which followed the arrival of the garrison in Colchester in 1856.
- Dates: March 20, 2026
- Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
- Times: 11:00am - 12:00pm
- For adults
- Price: £3.00

Jaywick Martello Tower: Army, navy and a little local history
The Royal Navy despised the British Army, but Kaiser Wilhelm was seen as a threat, causing the need for a comprehensive invasion exercise to bring the armed forces into the modern era.
- Dates: March 27, 2026
- Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
- Times: 11:00am - 12:00pm
- For adults
- Price: £3.00