Essex is a historic county in East England known for Roman heritage, scenic coastline, charming market towns, and good transport links.
10 Oct, 28 Nov
An outdoor creative writing session led by an English teacher and holistic life coach. Participants use the forest as inspiration and explore thoughts and feelings through writing prompts and mindful activities.
Hatfield Forest is a 403-hectare medieval Royal Hunting Forest in Essex, managed by the National Trust, offering extensive woodlands, ancient trees, diverse wildlife, archaeological sites, and accessible walking trails in an outdoor nature reserve experience.
11–27 Oct (next week)
Guests can enjoy classic afternoon tea in the Thatched Barn, with sandwiches, savoury bakes, cakes, scones, tea and coffee. Gluten-free, vegan and children’s menu options are also listed.
RHS Garden Hyde Hall is a large garden in Essex featuring extensive collections of plants and shrubs, wide-open views of the countryside, and accessible paths. Visitors can enjoy on-site dining at two cafés and a garden centre offering plants and gifts. Entry requires a ticket or RHS membership, with discounts for car-free travel.
11 Oct (this Sunday)
A Jane Austen-inspired Regency day at Rainham Hall, with activities including gentle Regency dancing, flower arranging, period card games, pomander making, calligraphy and simple sewing. Visitors can also try bonnets and Georgian clothing.
Rainham Hall is a well-preserved Georgian merchant's house in London with historic interiors, exhibitions, and an on-site café, showcasing a unique blend of domestic and commercial history from the 18th century onwards.
9 Oct
Meet the gardeners at Melford Hall for an informal session where you can ask questions about the garden and gardening at home.
8 Oct, 15 Oct…
A gentle guided walk around the park, offering time to move, enjoy the fresh air and connect with nature at your own pace.
Melford Hall is a historic Grade I listed stately home in Suffolk with 16th-century origins and Tudor architecture. Owned by the National Trust and open to the public seasonally, it offers a blend of both indoor historic house tours and extensive outdoor grounds hosting events.
10 Oct (this Saturday)
A beginner workshop led by lecturer and author Christine Lavelle explores garden-design principles, including assessing a space, garden aspect, soil type, colour, plant choices and border design. Participants will consider how to plan and plant a garden to make effective use of its space.
Danbury Common is a large biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Essex featuring heathland, woodland, ponds, and uncommon species, with areas managed by the National Trust and Essex Wildlife Trust.
8–10 Oct, 15–17 Oct…
An exhibition at Rainham Hall explores how the house was transformed for the film Sense and Sensibility, displaying costumes and props and documenting the filming process.
8–9 Oct, 15–16 Oct…
An exhibition at Red House presents personally significant domestic objects selected by architects, designers, local residents and young people from Bexley, exploring the memories and stories connected with everyday possessions. It can only be visited as part of a guided tour of the house.
Red House in Bexleyheath, London is a seminal Arts and Crafts building designed by William Morris and Philip Webb, featuring medieval-inspired architecture and original Pre-Raphaelite art. It serves as a historic house museum managed by the National Trust, showcasing Morris' pioneering design ethos and craftsmanship.
11 Oct (this Sunday)
Guests can enjoy a classic afternoon tea in the Thatched Barn, with sandwiches, savoury bakes, homemade cakes and scones, alongside tea or coffee. Gluten-free, vegan and children's menus are also available.
Danbury Commons and Blakes Wood is a large natural reserve featuring ancient woodland, heathland, and historical military sites. Visitors can enjoy diverse wildlife, scenic walking trails, and explore the rich heritage of this Essex ridge-top location.
8 Oct–30 Nov (another 52 days)
An exhibition of photographs by Lachlan French and Clive Downes reveals Audley End’s usually closed second-floor rooms, once used as guest bedrooms and servants’ quarters. The images explore the rooms’ faded interiors and traces of life in the house.
Audley End House is a grand early 17th-century Jacobean English country house near Saffron Walden, Essex, set within Capability Brown-designed parkland with historic gardens. It served as a royal residence and was used by the Special Operations Executive during WWII. Visitors can explore the extensive interiors, grounds and gardens, which have been featured in film and television.
8 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
Join a guided outdoor tour around Flatford to learn about John Constable’s life and work and see the views that inspired paintings including The Hay Wain and Flatford Mill.
Bridge Cottage is a 16th-century thatched cottage in Flatford, Suffolk, part of the National Trust properties, featuring an exhibition on John Constable and access to scenic River Stour walks.