Essex
Properties and events in Essex
Before heading out for your Heritage Open Days visit, please check entries for last-minute changes.
'Brutal but Beautiful': University of Essex Architecture Tour
This guided walk led by curator Jessica Twyman focuses on the 1960s architecture of the University of Essex.
7 Queen Street Colchester - One of the city's most interesting buildings.
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.
80th Anniversary of D-Day
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.
A Tale of Fire, Water and Waste
Learn about how Fire, Water and Waste were dealt with in times gone by.
A Virtual Tour of Great Baddow Part Two
After part one last year, this year we have part two of a Great Baddow virtual tour.
A Walk In JA Baker Country
Walk in JA Baker, author of the book The Peregrine, with your guide to point out areas of significance.
Abbey Lane Chapel
Experience the rich interior, pulpit, pews, screen, gallery and organ of this 1811 non-conformist chapel.
Art Nouveau Church St Mary the Virgin Great Warley
Wonderful arts and crafts Church.
Audley Chapel
16th-century burial chapel of the Audley family, with a fine hammer-beam roof and unique monuments and features. Knowledgeable guides will be on hand to answer questions.
Backnang, Chelsmford's Twin Town - An Introduction
Backnang is Chelmsford's twin town in Germany
Beeleigh Water and Steam Mill
Beeleigh Water and Steam Flour Mill contains a unique Elephant Boiler, Wentworth Beam Engine and Victorian Milling Hurst.
Cannock Mill
There has been a mill on this site since the Middle Ages, although the present building was only constructed in 1845. Cannock Mill has three storeys with a hoist loft and is weatherboarded. It is now owned by Cannock Mill Cohousing.
Chelmer Village Before Chelmer Village Part Two
What was there before Chelmer Village?
Chelmsford Black History Walk
Join Winnie for this walk across Chelmsford
Chelmsford's Blue Plaques
A film about Chelmsford's Blue Plaques with some of the sites where they are homed.
Chelsmford History Rock Snake
Add to Chelmsford History Rock Snake or attend one of two painting sessions.
Colchester Castle Museum
A much loved museum in the picturesque Castle Park, this is the annual opportunity to explore this fascinating building free of charge.
Colchester Town Hall
Colchester possesses one of the finest and most imposing town halls in England which reveals in its architecture the history of Britain's newest city.
Colchester's Roman Circus 2004-2024
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.
Colne Valley Postal History Museum
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!
Cuckoo Farm Studios
Cuckoo Farm Studios was established over thirty years ago when a small group of artists moved in and began to turn this derelict farm into a suitable venue in which to work. Today it is the home of more than thirty artists.
CWGC Tours 2024 - Southend on Sea (Sutton Road) Cemetery
Join us for a Commonwealth War Graves Commission tour of Southend on Sea (Sutton Road) Cemetery.
Dick Nunn's Smithy
A wonderfully atmospheric smithy where the eccentric Victorian blacksmith Dick Nunn spent his working life. Its smoke-stained walls, dusty bellows and heat-cracked hearth are witness to the passing years.
Dr John Dee Podcast
Who was Dr John Dee?
Earls Colne Quaker Meeting House,
Early Quaker Meeting House, grade II listed, still in use by Quakers and as a community venue.
Essex Industrial Archaeology Group Industrial Heritage Fair
The Industrial Heritage Fair contains stands and talks from organisations around Essex that have an interest in the Industrial Heritage of the county.
Grey Friars (now Greyfriars Luxury Hotel and Restaurant)
The present Grey Friars building dates back to 1755, but its site has a much older history which is revealed via a guided walk and displays of old photographs and documents in The Salon, one of the hotel's meeting rooms.
Harwich Museum
Harwich is a historic and distinctive town steeped in a wealth of history.
Haunted Chelmsford Podcast
Stories of haunted Chelmsford.
Hollytrees Museum
Hollytrees is the best 18th-century house in Colchester and has been a museum since 1929.
Holy Trinity Church
Holy Trinity is the oldest standing building in Colchester, predating the Norman castle by three-quarters of a century.
King Edward IV (KEGS Virtual Tour)
A virtual tour of KEGS in Chelmsford.
Maldon & Heybridge Heritage Harbour Association - Heritage Open Day on the Quayside
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.
Mersea Roman Barrow
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.
Mistley Towers - Rigby Ramble (History Tours)
Two porticoed classical towers, which stood at each end of a grandiose but highly unconventional Georgian church, designed by Robert Adam in 1776.
Quaker Meeting House
An opportunity to visit the meeting house of the Colchester Quakers who have been active in the area for centuries.
Rayleigh Windmill
Guided Tours, Presentations and Real Life 19th Century Millers!
Reconstructing an 18th Century Estate
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.
Redoubt Fort
Discover this impressive Napoleonic Fort.
Roman Theatre
This is one of two Roman theatres in Colchester, the other being at Gosbecks Archaeological Park also featuring in this year's programme. Going to see a play was a popular leisure activity in the Roman world.
Routes to our past at the Maeldune Heritage Centre
Explore the routes to our past through the stunning Maldon Embroidery by creating your own map of Maldon
Showing archive films about Silver End Village
A showing of short films of local past and recent events about Silver End
Silver End Garden Village Walk
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
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
St Giles Masonic Centre
Originally a Norman church, St Giles has had many later additions including a wooden tower built in 1819. It was converted to its present use as a masonic centre in 1972-76.
St James the Great Church
St James the Great is a beautiful Grade II* listed Anglo-Catholic church situated in an imposing position. It is a house of worship and of historical, architectural and artistic interest being a repository of Colchester's heritage.
St John's Abbey Gate Open House
This pinnacled gatehouse, elaborately decorated in East Anglian 'flushwork', is the sole survivor of the wealthy Benedictine abbey of St John. It was built around 1400 to strengthen the abbey's defenses following the Peasants' Revolt.
St John's Green Primary School
Drop-in and join our History Ambassadors for a tour of the late Victorian School, built in 1898 by architects Goodey & Cressall.
St Laurence Church, Upminster
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.
St Mary-at-the-Walls Church (Colchester Arts Centre)
St Mary-at-the-Walls has a rich history, both as a church and, more recently, as the Colchester Arts Centre. Refurbished in 2021, it boasts amazing mosaic toilets, which are not to be missed, as well as stunning views from the top of its tower.
St Mary's Church, Wivenhoe
St Mary's is a largely mid-Victorian church in the heart of the picturesque riverside town of Wivenhoe. The church was recently refurbished and extended to enable it to function as a community space in the 21st century.
St Marys Church Prittlewell
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!
St Michael and All Angels Church, Copford
A church has stood on the present site since around 1130 and its rare Norman wall paintings have been described by the writer Simon Jenkins as 'amongst the best in England'.
St Peter's Church
Check out this medieval city centre church with a tower from 1758 and interior with a 17th Century pulpit and interesting memorials.
Talk and tour - "TID Tugs and their part in the D-Day Preparations"
Guided tour of Steam Tug Brent and talk "TID Tugs and their part in the D-Day Preparations" three times over two days
Thames Barges Thistle and Hydrogen
Climb aboard these iconic vessels and explore the heritage that is The Thames Barges - synonymous with Maldon.
The Electric Palace
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.
The Fisherman's Church, St Mary's the Virgin open as part of the Heritage Harbour
Find out what is in this lovely church part of the Heritage Harbour of Maldon & Heybridge and as part of Heritage Open Day.
The Gibberd Garden
Explore architectural wonders and lush landscapes at The Gibberd Garden, Heritage Open Day on September 8th, 2024. Delve into the history of Sir Frederick & Lady Patricia Gibberd's home, nestled in Harlow. Admission is free for this community event.
The History Of Chelmsford Star Co Op
What is a Co Op, how did Chelmsford Star Co Op start?
The Minories - 'One Square Mile'
The Minories is an historic building used for art exhibitions. For this year's festival it hosts a school's project looking at the history of St John's Green in the city.
The Minories - Treasures from the Archives
The Minories is an historic building used for art exhibitions. For this year's festival it hosts a special exhibition of material from the archives, including old exhibition catalogues and photographs.
The Nottage, Wivenhoe
A maritime institute and museum established in 1896 in memory of Capt. Charles G. Nottage and, since 1947, located in a former sail loft.
The Quaker Burial Ground Virtual Tour
A tour of the Quaker Burial Ground in Chelmsford
The Untold Story of the First Female Agents of the First World War
Dr Vivi Newman tells us all about the untold story of the first female agents of the First World War.
Tindal Square 1940s Day
Expect military vehicles, musical performances and history stalls!
Visitor Information Centre - Ha'penny Pier
Town Information Centre & Mayflower exhibition
Wivenhoe Chapel Museum
Wivenhoe Chapel Museum opened as the town's museum in 2015.