Essex is a historic county in East England known for Roman heritage, scenic coastline, charming market towns, and good transport links.
Waltham Abbey Church is a historic parish church in Essex with origins dating back to the 7th century, renowned for its Norman architecture and its connection to King Harold Godwinson. Visitors can explore the church's rich history, impressive architectural features, and significant heritage as a pilgrimage site and a Grade I listed building.
Waltham Abbey is a historic market town in Essex, England, known for its medieval abbey church, royal gunpowder mills museum, and scenic location by the River Lea and Epping Forest. It offers rich cultural heritage, nature trails, and local markets.
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.
St John's Abbey is a historic Benedictine monastic site in Colchester, Essex, with remains including the Grade I listed gatehouse and precinct walls. Visitors can explore the outdoor archaeological site and nearby St Giles parish church, learning of its rich medieval history and links to the English Civil War.
Mistley Towers are the surviving twin neoclassical towers of the demolished Church of St. Mary the Virgin in Mistley, Essex, notable for their architectural design by Robert Adam and their historical significance as a Grade I listed structure and scheduled monument.
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.
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.
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.
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.
St Botolph's Priory in Colchester is the ruin of the first Augustinian priory in England, featuring large remnants of its medieval nave and protected as a Grade I listed building and scheduled monument. Visitors can explore the historic ruins in a public park setting with accessibility improvements and a nearby Gothic Victorian church built in the 19th century.
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.
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.
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.
Hadleigh Castle is a ruined medieval fortification from the 13th century in Essex, overlooking the Thames Estuary. Now a protected heritage site managed by English Heritage, it offers visitors scenic views and historical ruins within the surrounding Hadleigh Country Park.
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.
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.
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.
St James' Chapel in Lindsey, Suffolk is a 13th-century medieval chapel originally serving Lindsey Castle, featuring historic architecture and original stonework, now preserved as a Grade I listed building and scheduled monument open to the public.
7–11 Oct, 14–18 Oct…
A locally curated exhibition marking 75 years since Lavenham Guildhall passed into National Trust care. It explores the Guildhall’s history, the local community’s role in shaping its development, and its appearances in cinema and television.
Grange Barn is a historic 13th-century timber-framed barn in Coggeshall, Essex, preserved by the National Trust and open to the public with exhibits on its history and woodworking heritage.
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.
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.
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.
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.