Essex is a historic county in East England known for Roman heritage, scenic coastline, charming market towns, and good transport links.
Rayleigh Castle is a historic Norman motte-and-bailey castle site in Rayleigh, Essex, recognized for its earthwork remains dating back to the 11th century. The site offers visitors an outdoor experience of medieval fortification earthworks managed by the National Trust.
Rayleigh is a historic market town in Essex featuring medieval castle remains, a Norman church, charming parks, and local markets. It offers accessible train and bus transport and rich opportunities for cultural and recreational 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.
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.
Tilbury Fort is a historic 17th-century artillery fort in Essex with star-shaped defenses, water-filled moats, and extensive military history, now a tourist site operated by English Heritage featuring original magazines, barracks, and gun emplacements.
Colchester Zoo is a large zoological garden in Essex offering outdoor themed animal habitats with rare and endangered species, interactive exhibits, conservation efforts, and family-friendly facilities.
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.
15 Oct (next Thursday)
Join National Trust staff and volunteers on a gentle circular walk from Rainham Hall, exploring the garden and the hidden history of Rainham Village.
Adventure Island is a themed amusement park in Southend-on-Sea, England, featuring 36 rides including 5 roller coasters, indoor softplay and arcades, and extensive outdoor thrill and family attractions beside the longest pleasure pier in the world. It offers year-round indoor entertainment and seasonal outdoor rides and events, suitable for all ages.
Bourne Mill is a historic Grade I listed former fishing lodge and mill located in Colchester, Essex, managed by the National Trust. Visitors can explore the restored mill machinery and the mill's surrounding pond, experiencing both indoor historic architecture and outdoor picturesque grounds.
14 Oct (next Wednesday)
An intensive course covering the stages of designing a garden, from site surveying and drawing plans to landscaping and planting design. It is aimed at people planning their own garden and those considering a career in garden design.
The Brewery is a major shopping and leisure centre in Romford featuring retail stores, a cinema, bowling, restaurants, and an amusement arcade. It is situated on the historic site of the former Star Brewery and offers a comprehensive indoor experience for visitors.
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.
14 Oct, 21–22 Oct
Volunteers perform stories about the people and events that shaped Audley End. The performance accompanies an exhibition of paintings about three generations of the family connected with the house.
Paycocke's House and Gardens is a Tudor merchant's house with intricate woodwork, paired with restored historic gardens in an Arts and Crafts style. It offers visitors a blend of indoor historic architecture and outdoor garden exploration under National Trust care in Coggeshall, Essex.
Coggeshall is a historic village in Essex with rich medieval heritage, notable for its large parish church, Cistercian abbey ruins, timber-framed buildings, and a longstanding market charter since 1256. Visitors can explore architecture from the wool trade era, local museums, and enjoy walking in a picturesque setting.
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.
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.
Ranger's House is a Grade I listed Georgian mansion in Blackheath, London, adjacent to Greenwich Park, housing the Wernher Collection of fine art and decorative objects from the Renaissance to the 19th century. Visitors can explore its historic architecture and rich art collection inside the mansion, reflecting its history as an official residence of the Ranger of Greenwich Park.
Lakeside Shopping Centre in West Thurrock, Essex is a large indoor retail complex featuring over 250 shops, numerous dining options, a cinema, and a leisure area including a lake with a diving school. It offers extensive parking and direct public transport links, making it a major regional shopping and leisure destination.
Eastbury Manor House is an Elizabethan Grade I listed manor house in Barking, London, open most of the year as a museum presenting its rich historical heritage and architecture.
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.