Essex

Properties and events in Essex

Before heading out for your Heritage Open Days visit, please check entries for last-minute changes.

Print selected events below

Chelmsford's Blue Plaques

Chelmsford, Essex,
Online event
Pre-booking not required

A film about Chelmsford's Blue Plaques with some of the sites where they are homed.

Redoubt Fort

Main Road, Harwich, Essex, CO12 3LT
In person
Pre-booking not required

Discover this impressive Napoleonic Fort.

The Fisherman's Church, St Mary's the Virgin open as part of the Heritage Harbour

St Mary's the Virgin Church, Church Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5JB
In person
Pre-booking not required

Find out what is in this lovely church part of the Heritage Harbour of Maldon & Heybridge and as part of Heritage Open Day.

The Electric Palace

Electric Palace (Harwich) Ltd, Kings Quay Street, Harwich, Essex, CO12 3ER
In person
Pre-booking not required

At our 112 year cinema in historic Harwich, you can come and learn about the making of early films and the creativity that was in abundance. There will be history slides to watch on the big screen and some crafts to make, plus a cuppa.

80th Anniversary of D-Day

Boxted Airfield Museum, Langham Lane, Langham, Colchester, Essex, CO4 5NW
In person
Pre-booking not required

Commemorating D-Day with large Diorama, largescale model of P47, pictures and recollections. The 56th Fighter Group with their P47 aircraft flew protective missions over the beaches as the men landed. Our book The History of Boxted will be on sale.

Earls Colne Quaker Meeting House,

Quaker Meeting House,, 4 Burrows Road,, Earls Colne, Colchester, Essex, CO6 2RZ
In person
Pre-booking not required

Early Quaker Meeting House, grade II listed, still in use by Quakers and as a community venue.

St Marys Church Prittlewell

St. Mary's Church, East Street, Southend on Sea, Essex, SS2 6LQ
In person
Pre-booking not required

For more than a thousand years there has been a church on the site of Saint Mary’s, Prittlewell. The church and tower will be open - climb the tower and see amazing views - otherwise enjoy the beauty of our church from the ground floor!

7 Queen Street Colchester - One of the city's most interesting buildings.

The Queen Street Brewhouse, 7 Queen Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 2PG
In person
Pre-booking required

7 Queen Street Colchester dates from the 14th century. It has been occupied as a business and/or domestic premises for the the last 600 years.

Silver End Garden Village Walk

Silver End Village Hall, Silver End, Broadway, Witham, Essex, CM8 3RQ
In person
Pre-booking required

A guided walk around Silver End GardenVillage. Built from 1926 to house the workers of the village Crittall factory. Of particular interest are the Modern Movement flat roofed houses of which 35 are grade II listed.

Silver End Heritage Centre

Silver End Village Hall, Broadway, Silver End, Witham, Essex, CM8 3RQ
In person
Pre-booking not required

The Heritage Centre housed within the largest village hall in the UK has a unique collection of artefacts, ephemera, maps etc. depicting the social and working lives of people in Silver End Garden Village

Showing archive films about Silver End Village

Broadway, Silver End, Witham, Essex, CM8 3RQ
In person
Pre-booking not required

A showing of short films of local past and recent events about Silver End

Mersea Roman Barrow

Barrow Barn, 7A East Mersea Road, West Mersea, Colchester, Essex, CO5 8SL
In person
Pre-booking not required

The Roman Barrow Mound is an excavated burial chamber, the contents of which are in Mersea Museum. They are the cremated remains of a male contained in a glass Roman cremation urn, found with a lead casket. It was excavated in 1912.

Visitor Information Centre - Ha'penny Pier

The Quay, Harwich, Essex, CO12 3HH
In person
Pre-booking not required

Town Information Centre & Mayflower exhibition

St Laurence Church, Upminster

St. Laurence Church, Corbets Tey Road, Upminster, Essex, RM14 2BB
In person
Pre-booking not required

An opportunity to look around this beautiful and historic church. There will be a display of current and historical information, a children's trail and stewards available to answer questions.

Harwich Museum

Anglia House, Main Road, Harwich, Essex, CO12 3FN
In person
Pre-booking not required

Harwich is a historic and distinctive town steeped in a wealth of history.

Colchester's Roman Circus 2004-2024

Roman Circus Visitor Centre, Roman Circus Walk, Colchester, Essex, CO2 7GZ
In person
Pre-booking not required

Colchester's Roman Circus archaeological remains will be open to the public to celebrate 20 years since its modern discovery - the only Roman chariot racing track in Britain! Come and find out all about it on a free guided tour at the Visitor Centre.

Reconstructing an 18th Century Estate

Muskham Road, Harlow, Essex, CM20 2LF
In person
Pre-booking preferred

Walk through time to learn how the remaining buildings of Mark Hall Estate in Harlow connected to support the life of Mark Hall and Latton Parish. Gardens, Stables and Church. View artefacts usually in storage.

Essex Industrial Archaeology Group Industrial Heritage Fair

Grange Barn, Grange Hill, Coggeshall, Colchester, Essex, CO6 1RE
In person
Pre-booking not required

The Industrial Heritage Fair contains stands and talks from organisations around Essex that have an interest in the Industrial Heritage of the county.

Talk and tour - "TID Tugs and their part in the D-Day Preparations"

The Hythe, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HN
In person
Pre-booking required

Guided tour of Steam Tug Brent and talk "TID Tugs and their part in the D-Day Preparations" three times over two days

Rayleigh Windmill

Rayleigh Windmill, Bellingham Lane, Rayleigh, Essex, SS6 7ED
In person
Pre-booking not required

Guided Tours, Presentations and Real Life 19th Century Millers!

Colne Valley Postal History Museum

109 Head Street, Halstead, Essex, CO9 2AZ
In person
Pre-booking not required

A privately owned Postal History Museum in the heart of East Anglia. Hands-on history for everything post & telephone related! New large premises for 2024!

Thames Barges Thistle and Hydrogen

Cooks Yard, The Hythe, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HN
In person
Pre-booking not required

Climb aboard these iconic vessels and explore the heritage that is The Thames Barges - synonymous with Maldon.

Maldon & Heybridge Heritage Harbour Association - Heritage Open Day on the Quayside

The Hythe, 4 Brockley Cottages, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6QX
In person
Pre-booking not required

Visit Maldon & Heybridge Heritage Harbour, a national Heritage Harbour and climb aboard a Thames Barge, the Steam Tug Brent as well as enjoy a range of maritime based activities on the quayside especially for the Heritage Open Day 2024.