What We Do
Frinton & Walton Heritage Trust is a volunteer-based organisation that has been running for over 40 years. Our vision is to offer inspirational and vibrant heritage centres that provide access to our collections and educational activities for people of all ages.
_edited_edited_edited.jpg)
-
To secure the conservation, preservation, protection, development and improvement of features of historic or public interest in our area;
-
To educate the public in the geography, history, natural history and architecture in the area;
-
To promote civic pride including high standards of planning and architecture in or affecting the area; and to seek to provide our members and volunteers with the skills, confidence, self-esteem, enjoyment and well-being for a happier life within our community.
Our area covers the towns of Frinton-on-Sea, Walton-on-the-Naze and their associated villages: Great Holland, Kirby Cross, Kirby-le-Soken and Thorpe-le-Soken.
Ever since its inception in 1984, the Trust has been a charity wholly run by volunteers with its success depending on the dedication and enthusiasm of its members as well as the support and generosity of the wider public. It is in the process of applying to the Charities Commission to become a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) which is anticipated to take effect by spring 2026. We are looking for some new trustees to boost our management structure which we have documented in a new Operations Handbook with associated policies to streamline our activities. If you are interested in joining us, please get in through this website; see the Contacts page.​
​​ ​
-
opening our three museums in Frinton as often as we can so that you can view our current exhibitions; we would like to open more but to do this, we need more volunteer stewards;
-
holding coffee mornings at the Crossing Cottage Gardens on the third Tuesday of every month from October to Easter which is a good opportunity to meet other people interested in historical topics; running a programme of lectures/talks most months during the winter/spring period and are always looking for speakers; there is a two-tier entrance fee for these lectures; members pay less which is a great incentive to join up! (see membership below).
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​​​​​​
-
Our team of volunteer gardeners look after and maintain the Crossing Cottage Gardens near Frinton’s level crossing every Tuesday morning all the year round. These are great social occasions and very useful exercise; we always welcome more helpers joining the team.
-
Our maintenance team undertakes running repairs on our properties which are of heritage value in their own right; this is a great opportunity to use your existing skills for public benefit or even learn some new ones.
-
We take groups on walking tours around Frinton, pointing out places of particular interest to people fascinated by our local architecture, including the largest collection of individually-designed Art Deco houses in the country.
-
Every New Year’s Day an intrepid group of walkers sets out, come rain or shine, to blow away the cobwebs from the previous night’s overindulgence, followed by a glass of mulled wine and a last mince pie.
-
We hire out the Cottage Garden to other local organisations, and occasionally individuals, for their outdoor activities for a fee of £25 per session which includes access to our kitchen facilities. Gazebos, tables & chairs are available for an additional charge. The morning session lasts from 10am to 12 noon and the afternoon session from 2pm to 4pm. Please get in touch using our Booking Form for further details.
-
We let out our meeting room at the Museum & Heritage Centre at 120 Pole Barn Lane which is a useful venue in which to hold small group meetings. A morning, afternoon or evening session (finishing no later than 8.45 pm) costs £25; further details are available using our Booking Form.
-
​We hold a Spring Fair, a Summer Fair and an Apple Day (October). These events are designed to raise essential funds for the Trust and give the public an opportunity to purchase bric-a-brac, preserves, toiletries, jewellery, books, plants, and homemade cakes. Everyone is welcome to join us on these fun days and support our fundraising.
-
We support other organisations, such as Frinton in Bloom, and last year we were presented with the Royal Horticultural Society’s ‘Neighbourhood Award, Level 5 Outstanding’, the highest level award for our contribution to the Frinton community. We are participating again this year;
-
Some of our activities, including our annual Christmas lunch at Frinton Golf Club, are open only to members and their guests and is an excellent opportunity to socialise and enjoy the Club’s renowned catering as well as meeting others from our 400-strong membership. For more details about membership, see our Membership pages.
