To the summer Essex Explorer magazine. In this edition we have a fantastic competition for you to enter where you can be in with a chance to win a powerboat experience day for seven people courtesy of Essex Outdoors! See page 33 to find out how you can enter.
We also bring you some affordable family activity ideas for the summer, the exciting Countryside Stewardship landscape restoration taking place at Essex Country Parks to restore natural habitats for rare and protected species, a new music festival coming to Chelmsford and how you can visit and experience John Constable’s Essex.
You can also discover more about the summer reading challenge, our recommended reads, the historic and unique Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, learn more about the ‘Wheels of Time’ at Essex museums and a tasty recipe to help celebrate The Gruffalo’s 25th birthday.
There are some great ideas for days out over the coming months in our listings pages as well as much, much more.
As a county, Essex has a beautiful landscape – from country to coast – so get out and about and enjoy all that the parks and green spaces have to offer this summer.
This magazine is available as an accessible PDF. To request a copy email Explore.Essex@essex.gov.uk
EDITORIAL: EMMA WILLIAMS, TRACEY LEWIS AND CHRISTOPHER DAVIES.
CONTRIBUTORS: ESSEX LIBRARIES, ESSEX COUNTRY PARK RANGERS, AND VISIT ESSEX MEMBERS.
ADVERTISING: MARKETING.EXPLOREESSEX@ESSEX.GOV.UK
THIS INFORMATION IS ISSUED BY ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL, HERITAGE, CULTURE AND GREEN SPACES.
Explore Essex brings together a unique group of green spaces and heritage places owned and managed by Essex County Council. Our mission is to provide a range of facilities and activities for the people of Essex to enjoy. Conservation is also at the heart of what we do, and any money spent with the Explore Essex group of places is ultimately reinvested to maintain and develop our sites for the benefit of visitors and to protect the flora and fauna within.
Get Connected
Keep up to date with our news, activities and competitions.
Please share or recycle this magazine where possible.
Essex News
National funding for ERO project
The Essex Record Office (ERO) is to receive over £60,000 in funding for a new community project.
Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the ‘Open the Box: Connecting Communities Through Archives’ project will see the ERO work with organisations in the Tendring area as well as in Basildon, Canvey Island, Colchester and Harlow.
As part of the project, work with under-represented groups will take place so that the ERO’s collections are relevant of people’s heritage and experiences and that the stories of Essex’s communities are recorded for future generations.
New film festival coming to Essex
A countywide film festival celebrating the best of international and regional talent will take place next spring.
The Essex International Film Festival will feature five days of screenings, top industry masterclasses and networking events in towns and cities including Chelmsford, Colchester and Harlow.
Organised by the Essex Film Collective, a community of professionals who work across the film and TV industry, the festival will encourage and support expert and emerging talent through events and workshops.
Find out more by visiting: www.essexinternationalfilmfestival.com
14 affordable family activities for summer 2024
Enjoy Essex this summer with fourteen ways to get out and about that don’t cost the earth.
01 Head to Brightlingsea Lido for an outdoor swim and enjoy their new artworks. Take the foot ferry to Mersea Island. Read more on pages 16 and 17.
02 Take a picnic to a park. Discover our top spots on pages 30 and 31.
03 For rainy days take the Wheel of Time challenge and visit our Essex Museums, pages 18 and 19.
04 Head to Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome to enjoy one of their summer events. Pages 20 to 23.
05 Discover the Restless Brilliance exhibition at Chelmsford Museum and think about what our green spaces mean to you. Page 25.
06 Enjoy a nature read, pages 26 and 27 and spot some of our protected and rare animals with our guide, pages 10 and 11.
07 Take a walk on the wild side – download the Go Jauntly app to discover somewhere new or read our wildflower walks blog (explore-essex.com/blog).
08 Make some tasty recipes with the kids and enjoy The Gruffalo colouring competition, pages 28 and 29. Visit Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler The Gruffalo and Stick Man trails and set imaginations free.
09 Take the Summer Reading Challenge, sign up at an Essex library near you, page 24.
10 Enjoy the free Summer Magic trails at the Essex Country Parks and add some sparkle to the season.
11
Discover a new music festival coming this September and more cultural activities in the day’s out listings, pages 36 to 43.
Save with the Explorer Pass –get one month free!
Don’t forget, investing in the Essex Explorer Pass will help you save on multiple visits to the Essex Country Parks throughout the year. Buy an annual pass before Sunday 25 August and get 13 months for the price of 12.
www.explore-essex.com/ explorer-pass
12 Experience John Constable’s Essex and enjoy events at Wivenhoe Park and the Haywain theatre performances at heritage venues. Pages 34 to 35.
13 Book the kids into Essex Outdoors Activity Days – keep them stimulated in the school holidays.
14 Get on your bikes, discover bike hire at Hadleigh and Thorndon Country Parks. Exploreessex.com/places-to-go
Something exciting is happening at Essex Country Parks
Over the next few years an exciting programme of landscape restoration is taking place which aims to boost biodiversity and strengthen habitats for rare and protected species at the Essex Country Parks.
Grassland and scrub at Hadleigh Country Park
Grassland at Thorndon Country Park Wood pasture at Weald Country Park
Did you know that Essex County Council manages eight country parks which cover 1,000 hectares of land in the county?
We are lucky to have such large green spaces in Essex and we’re sure you would agree that it’s very important that the parks are managed properly for the benefit of residents, visitors and wildlife.
Across the parks, the team are responsible for managing a rich combination of landscape, from coastal salt and grazing marsh to ancient woodlands and grasslands.
The parks are home to a variety of rare and protected plants, birds, insects and mammals - which are significant from a local, national and international point of viewand contain a number of areas of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Protection Areas (SPA) and Ramsar sites.
Excitingly the team have secured funding to invest in these important landscapes from the government’s Countryside Stewardship Scheme.
What does this mean for the parks and visitors?
The Essex Country Parks team will be starting an ambitious and carefully planned programme to recover and restore important areas of grasslands, wetlands and woodlands, including wood pasture, to strengthen habitats and boost biodiversity as part of this funded scheme.
Over the coming months, visitors may notice works taking place at Hadleigh, Thorndon and Weald, but also at Belhus Woods, Cudmore Grove, Danbury and Marsh Farm Country Parks.
The team will aim to keep visitors up to date with what is happening, where and why. The best way is to follow the park Facebook pages, visit the Explore Essex website or see the posters and handouts at sites.
What kind of species might benefit?
Diverse grassland is important for insects and pollinators, including the rare shrill and brown-banded carder bees currently found at Hadleigh. This park is also home to rare and locally declining plants, such as bithynian vetch and deptford pink, as well as adders, birds, butterflies, grass snakes, common lizards and even glow worms.
Woodlands and wood pasture, such as those at Thorndon and Weald, are important for animals and insects. These include protected bats, scarce and declining butterflies and moths, including the purple emperor and purple hairstreaks, birds - such as owls and the rare lesser spotted woodpecker - as well as badgers, beetles and fungi.
Wetland management at the parks will help a variety of protected and endangered species, such as great crested newts, water voles, the common toad and European eels (spotted at Thorndon) along with insects including dragonflies and damselflies and numerous bird species.
At Cudmore Grove we are supporting ground nesting birds on the grazing marsh by preventing predation by badgers and foxes with fencing. The birds most likely to benefit are lapwing and redshank, but this will support overwintering brent geese as well.
For more detailed information on what is happening and why at each park visit: www.exploreessex.com/blog/countrysidestewardships
Detailed Management Plans have been created for all the works by ECC’s Place Service ecologists. The work forms part of a national Countryside Stewardship Scheme, which is agreed and funded by Natural England and DEFRA.
Countryside Stewardship also supports DEFRA’s 25 Year Environment Plan ‘for our country to be the healthiest, most beautiful place in the world to live, work and bring up a family’ and objective for ‘a cleaner, healthier environment, benefitting people and the economy’.
Deptford pink
Carder bee
Veteran tree at Thorndon Country Park
Spotter’s guide
Discover rare, declining and protected species in Essex.
Thanks to the Countryside Stewardship Scheme and the landscape restoration taking place in the Essex Country Parks we’re helping to increase habitats for many rare and endangered species.
Use this guide to familiarise yourself with some of the declining and protected wildlife that we hope will benefit.
Share your wildlife images with us, @exploressex on social media, we’d love to see your pictures.
Images thanks to Natural England.
Woodland
Common lizard
Glow worm
Grass snake
Skylark
Shrill carder bee
Slow worm
Water vole
Little egret
Great crested newt
European eel
Common toad
Badger
Purple emperor butterfly
Brown long eared bat
Silver washed fritillary
Lesser spotted woodpecker
Great diving beetle
White letter hairstreak
Photography in the parks
Andrew Adams is a resident of Brentwood and a long time Essex Explorer contributor who enjoys nothing more than trekking and photographing the flora and fauna found within our amazing parks across the county.
He is an experienced and multifaceted photographer with interests in wildlife, landscape and street photography. These stunning images were taken at Danbury, Thorndon and Weald Country Parks. Why not get out and about and see what you can discover?
To see more of Andrew’s photography, visit his Instagram page: #andrew_d_ adams or visit Youpic: www. youpic.com/AndrewAdams
Visit the Essex Country Parks: www.explore-essex. com/places-to-go/ourparks-and-places
Heron
Fallow deer
Painted lady butterfly Tree creeper
Azure male and female damselfly
Mallard duck
Egyptian duck
Fallow deer Hoverfly
Ruddy darter dragonfly
Wasp hoverfly
Common blue butterfly
Heron
Ducks on lake
It’s bright on the Essex coast
Located at the mouth of the River Stour and on the Essex coast between Colchester and Clacton-on-Sea is the historic port and town of Brightlingsea.
The town has a rich seafaring history and was one of the original Confederacy of Cinque Ports – the only one in Essex –which were formed for military and trade purposes.
Today, Brightlingsea is a popular destination for visitors due to its sandy beach, historic local Grade II listed landmark Bateman’s Tower, which was built by John Bateman in 1883, independent shops and the everpopular maritime celebration, the Brightlingsea Regatta.
Visitors also annually flock to the town’s Fresh Air Festival and free music festival, both of which have previously received funding from Essex County Council’s Arts and Cultural Fund.
However, loved by visitors and locals alike is the Brightlingsea Lido. The lido was one of many open air pools built throughout the country in the 1930’s as the local council wanted to improve the town’s recreational facilities.
A grant for the work was obtained in 1931 and the lido was officially opened on 23 June 1932. For four decades the lido remained relatively unchanged. However, during the 1970’s the lido changed from a tidal saltwater to a chlorinated freshwater pool with upgraded changing facilities.
To secure the long term future of the lido, two projects in 2018/2019 took place. The ‘Heart of the Lido’ merged old and new technology by installing a state-of-the-art automatic ultraviolet water cleaning system, while Café Lido was extended and an indoor seating area was added.
This year, and due to the Arts and Cultural Fund, a community engagement project will see permanent artworks installed around the perimeter of Brightlingsea Lido by Essex born artist Chrissie Richards.
Chrissie, along with artist and textile designer Becky - who are both artists in residence at Brightlingsea Lido – have led a series of community workshops to create artworks that celebrate a specific event or time in the venue’s history. All the artworks created will be based on Ruth’s story celebrating the lido’s 90th anniversary.
To discover more about Brightlingsea visit: www.visitbrightlingsea.co.uk. To learn more about the fascinating Brightlingsea Lido - which is open from May to September - and its history visit: www. brightlingsealido.org
Brightlingsea offers nature lovers a number of outdoor trails and walks and they’re all easily accessible due to the foot ferry from east Mersea near Cudmore Grove Country Park.
Providing easy access for locals and visitors alike, the foot ferry takes approximately nine minutes to complete the journey and welcomes wheelchairs users and cyclists as the boat’s ramp can be lowered.
To find out more about the foot ferry - which runs from April until the end of October - visit: www. brightlingseaharbour. org/boat-trips-foot-ferry/ brightlingsea-ferry-pointclear-east-mersea
Artwork and lido images courtesy of Chrissie Richards.
Turn the Wheels of Time with Essex Museums
Discover a new scheme encouraging young people to learn more about the history and heritage of our county by visiting our museums.
Essex has a rich and varied history, much of which can be discovered by visiting Essex Museums. Now, the Wheels of Time scheme - which originally started in Kent - has been able to expand to Essex due to an Arts Council England grant and is running in 19 places across the county.
Maldon Museum in the Park
Chelmsford Museum
Chelmsford Museum
Anew badge collecting scheme has been launched fronted by a time travelling character named Roamin’ Rex to encourage young explorers aged five to 11-years-old, and their families, to visit the county’s museums and heritage places.
The character, Roamin’ Rex, was named by one of the scheme’s first young explorers, Daniel, who collected his badge from Ashford Borough Museum. Since then, the initiative has grown and now has 53 sites in Kent participating, with over 30,000 badges being awarded to 15,000 children.
Sarah Sinka, Essex Museum Development Officer, said: “Museums Essex are excited as the Wheels of Time scheme is such a fantastic opportunity for young people to explore the wonderful heritage sites that the county has to offer.
“From Beecroft Art Gallery in Southend-on-Sea to Harlow Museum, we have sites taking part covering the length and breadth of our county and we’re looking forward to welcoming current and new visitors in the coming months.”
To get started in Essex, young explorers can collect their first badge at one of the participating museums and heritage venues which are taking part. A lanyard can then be collected at the second Wheels of Time venue – when they show their badge. When the young explorers
reach ten badges, they can apply to receive a Bronze Award.
Uncover more about the heritage of the county by exploring the wide ranging collections - from natural to maritime history - there’s something for everyone when delving into the past.
Get interactive and learn local and social history at Chelmsford Museum, meet Wallace the Lion at Saffron Walden Museum, visit the Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, and so much more.
Find out more about the scheme and how to become a young explorer. Visit: www.wheelsoftime.uk
Please note: All visits subject to usual site admission prices.
Rayleigh Town Museum
Chelmsford Museum
Discover aviation history in Essex
Situated to the west of Maldon amongst gently rolling farmland lies Europe’s largest surviving Great War aerodrome. It’s a unique military aviation museum celebrating the early air forces that were formed during World War One.
Originally opened in 1916, the aerodrome in Stow Maries was home to B Flight of No 37 (HD) squadron of the Royal Flying Corps and saw the birth of the countries air defences following the raids by Zeppelins and Gotha bombers over London and the south east.
Both the aerodrome and squadron played a key role in the Battle for Britain during the first London blitz and continued operational sorties until the end of the Great War when the Royal Flying Corps transitioned into the Royal Air Force (RAF).
During its operational life as an interceptor station, RAF Stow Maries welcomed decorated pilots and a range of aircraft - from the BE2e and AVRO504k to the cutting edge Sopwith Snipe - until 1919 when the RAF closed the aerodrome.
Following the closure, the site reverted to its previous role as Flambird’s Farm. The existing buildings were repurposed or converted to residential and agricultural use while the airfield itself became pasture.
In 2009, the aerodrome and its 93 acres were designated as a conversation area due to nature reclaiming the site. As a member of Natural England’s Entry and Higher Level Environmental Stewardship - and working with the Woodland Trust and Essex Wildlife Trustthe sites meadows and ponds support declining species, such as corn buntings, yellowhammers and much more.
In 2012, the aerodrome and the buildings - which formerly housed the Royal Flying Corp membersbecame Grade II* listed due to the site’s importance to both Essex and England’s aviation heritage. In fact, historian and TV personality Dan Snow, who is a patron of the museum, said that the site is ‘the centre of early aviation history in Europe’.
A campaign by Essex County Council and Maldon District Council in 2012 led to the aerodrome being acquired for the nation, following a grant from the Heritage Memorial Fund, and was placed in the care of newly created charity, Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome Ltd.
BE2e
Since then, the aerodrome has gone from strength to strength thanks to its staff and volunteers. Its hangars are filled with historic and modern aircraft, the Airmen’s Mess café welcomes visitors every week and the award-winning exhibitions tell the stories of the Royal Flying Corps, Royal Air Force and those connected to the site.
Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome regularly hosts aviation events that bring the past to life and offers a fantastic day out for all ages.
To find out more about this historic Essex venue visit www.stowmaries.org.uk
Also, see the listings on page 37 to discover the events taking place at Stow Maries as well as across the county.
Images courtesy of David Davies and Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome.
Albatros DVA Continuance G-WAHT
Avro 504k
Munitions worker
Voluntary Aid Detachment Nurse
Nieuport 17
Essex: Home to the USAFF
Tributes and reenactments recently took place throughout Essex, the UK and Europe to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in World War Two.
On June 6 1944, the allies launched Operation Overlord to liberate mainland Europe from occupation.
To support the D-Day landings, allied air forces flew over 14,000 sorties from bases throughout southern England to secure supremacy over the Luftwaffe (the German air force).
Recently, an Apple TV drama was broadcast based on the novel by Donald. L. Miller, ‘Masters of the Air’ focusing on the airmen of the US Eighth Air Force 100th Bomber Group.
Known as the ‘Bloody Hundredth’ - due to suffering heavy losses in airs raids over Germany and Europe - they were soon referred to as the Eighth Air Force’s ‘jinxed unit’.
As part of a United States Army Air Force (USAAF) armada to arrive in England, the 100th Bomber Group was mainly based in Norfolk. However, Essex was no stranger to the American accent and its aircraft flying overhead.
While the county was the base for many USAAF fighter and bomber groups during World War Two, it was mainly home to the 9th Air Force. Consisting of medium and light bombers, the 9th Air Force was tasked with destroying enemy infrastructure in the run-up to the D-Day invasion.
In fact, the only heavy bomber group based in Essex was the 381st, which flew sorties from Ridgewell from June 1943 to April 1945 in B-17 Flying Fortresses. During the war, the 381st Bomb Group were awarded two Distinguished Unit Citations for their operations over Europe.
Image: Apple TV
Image: Apple TV
The first was for an operation over Bremen which saw the 381st bomb the shipyards whilst under heavy attack. The second was awarded to the 1st Bomb Division as a whole due to flying without fighter protection to bomb aircraft factories at Oschersleben on January 11 1944.
After America’s entry into the war, the airfields were built by a number of USAAF Engineer Battalions (Aviation), for USAAF bombing missions over the European front.
A number of Class A bomber airfields were built for “war duration only” in the county, such as those at Gosfield, Great Dunmow, Stansted Mountfitchet and Andrew’s Field (originally known as Great Saling) and many more.
There was also USAAF fighter bases at Boxted, Debden and Wormingford. The 4th Fighter Group at Debden was formed out of American volunteers, who originally came over to fly for the RAF, and were the longest to be based in Essex.
In fact, fighter ace James H. Howard, who flew from Essex and who retired as a US Air Force Reserve Brigadier General, was one of just two pilots in the European Theatre of Operations to receive the Medal of Honourthe US’s highest military decoration for those who have distinguished themselves through acts of valour.
As a county, Essex has a rich aviation history but today many of the airfields used by the USAAF during World War Two have been repurposed. One example is Earls Colne airfield which is now home to the Essex Air Ambulance, an industrial park, golf course, leisure centre, and an airstrip used by a flying school.
To find out more about the American airman stationed in Essex, the museums at Ridgewell and Boxted offer a great day out. Find out more by visiting: www.rafcamuseum.co.uk or www.boxted-airfield.com/ boxtedairfield-museum
Images courtesy of Apple TV and the Essex Record Office.
Marvellous Makers! is coming to a library near you this summer
Essex Library Service and The Reading Agency are teaming up with Create for a very special 2024 Summer Reading Challenge – it’s a celebration of the creative arts.
They’ll be inspiring children to express themselves in creative ways, tap into a world of imagination and storytelling and – of course – to read. Young people will join wonderful characters, brought to life by the brilliant children’s illustrator Natelle Quek, as they prepare for a big festival to show off the work they’ve created, all inspired by their favourite reads.
However, the day before the festival, some objects will mysteriously go missing from their creative toolbox. Essex children will need to help the characters find these missing objects and save the festival.
The challenge will run from Saturday 20 July to Saturday 7 September in all Essex and mobile libraries.
Children will need to read six books and collect stickers for each one they read. After reading six books they will earn a certificate and medal. Children can read any library book of their choice, fiction, nonfiction, picture books or those they share with parents and carers – they all count. The under-fours are not forgotten, with a special version of Marvellous Makers! just for them.
The Summer Reading Challenge is delivered by libraries and produced by The Reading Agency and is open to all children, free of charge.
Keep up to date with this year’s Summer Reading Challenge by following Essex Library Services on Facebook, X and Instagram, @EssexLibraries
The story of J.A. Baker and The Peregrine
An exhibition celebrating one of the most important books in 20th century nature writing has been launched.
J.A. Baker’s extraordinary classic of British nature writing, The Peregrine, was first printed in 1967. Since publication, it has attracted a list of advocates and admirers. It was recently voted one of the UK’s top 10 favourite nature books and continues to inspire new generations of wildlife writers and conservationists, including Chris Packham and Sir David Attenborough.
Now an exhibition co-curated by Chelmsford Museum and the University of Essex aims to explore the life of J.A. Baker and the impact of his work to inspire a new generation.
Co-curators Dr Sarah Demelo of the University of Essex and Sarah Harvey of Chelmsford Museum said: “J.A. Baker’s books had a profound
influence on nature writing and on the survival of the peregrine in the UK. Nearly 60 years later his prose continues to inspire and yet we know relatively little about the man himself.
“We hope that visitors to Restless Brilliance will leave with a greater understanding of Baker’s evolution as a writer and ornithologist, as well as a newfound appreciation of Essex and its wildlife and biodiversity today.”
Restless Brilliance features sixty items on loan from the Albert Sloman Library, including the writer’s ornithological diaries along with audio extracts, contributions from environmental charities and local artists. Contributions include an immersive soundscape of the Blackwater Estuary that Baker loved by Stuart Bowditch.
The free exhibition is running daily until Sunday 3 November from 10.00am to 5.00pm (4.00pm from October) at Chelmsford Museum.
To find out more visit: www.chelmsford. gov.uk/museums/whats-on
A walk in J.A. Baker Country (Writtle)
Wednesday 14 August: 10.30am to 12.30pm
Join David Simmonds for a walk through ‘Baker Country’ visiting sites mentioned in the letters and diaries of J. A. Baker, the author of The Peregrine (1967). This threemile walk will guide you along footpaths and fields, exploring an area where Baker worked and birdwatched as a young man. Suitable for all ages. Price: Free. www.chelmsford. gov.uk/museums/whats-on/ talks-and-tours/a-walk-in-jabaker-country-writtle
Images courtesy of Albert Sloman Library, University of Essex.
Natural reads
To celebrate the launch of the landscape restoration work in the Essex Country Parks we’ve pulled together a selection of some excellent reads celebrating nature, wildlife and our environment.
England: A Natural History
By John Lewis-Stempel
In England, John Lewis-Stempel explores each in turn, taking us from coast to moor, from downs to field, from the park to the village to create a vivid living portrait of our natural history.
‘It’s his observation of the natural world – the sight, the sound, the smell of it – that is so memorable.” Guardian
Published October 2024
The Golden Mole: and Other Vanishing Treasure
By Katherine Rundell
Katherine Rundell, takes us on a globe-spanning tour of the world’s strangest and most awe-inspiring –yet endangered – animals, including pangolins, wombats, lemurs and seahorses. This sharply funny book is also an urgent, inspiring call, to treasure and act to save nature’s vanishing wonders, before it is too late.
“Rare and magical book.” Bill Bryson
The Wild Silence
By Raynor Winn
From the bestselling author of The Salt Path. When Raynor and Moth get the chance to rewild an old Cornish farm comes their way, they grasp it, hoping they’ll not only reconnect with the natural world but also find themselves once again on its healing path . . .
‘Beautiful, a thrill to read.” Times
The Observant Walker
By John Wright
When we go for a walk, whether in the countryside or city, we pass through landscapes full of natural beauty and curiosities, but though we might admire the view, or wonder idly about the name of a flower, we rarely have the knowledge to fully engage with what we see. John Wright shows us that when we do, our sense of place is expanded, our understanding deepened and we can discover richness in even the most everyday stroll.
“Blissfully funny, staggeringly informative, a joyful companion.”
Caroline Quentin
Back to Nature
By Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin
‘Back to Nature’ captures the essence of how we feel about the wildlife outside our windows. Through personal stories, conservation breakthroughs and scientific discoveries, it explores the wonder and the solace of nature, and the ways in which we can connect with it – and protect it.
“Engaged, resolute and convincing... this could also be the most important book you›ve read in a long time.” BBC Countryfile
The Life of Birds
By David Attenborough
A fully updated new edition of the beautiful, bestselling classic.
Sir David Attenborough has been watching and learning all his life. His classic book is a brilliant introduction to bird behaviours around the world.
“This superb book vividly conveys the beauty of birds and the extraordinary richness of their behaviour.” Dr. Neil Chalmers, Director, The Natural History Museum, London
Celebrate The Gruffalo’s 25th birthday
We love The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler and this year’s he’s celebrating his 25th birthday. To celebrate why not make this glorious chocolate cake which can be enjoyed by Gruffalo’s, snakes, owls, mice and children alike. And don’t forget to enter our birthday colouring competition at Thorndon and Weald Country Parks, where you can also enjoy The Gruffalo (Thorndon) and Stick Man (Weald) sculpture trails.
To get started on this easy but delicious chocolate cake you’ll need:
• 200g golden caster sugar
• 200g unsalted butter, softened plus extra for the tins
• 4 large eggs
• 200g self-raising flour
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp milk
For the cake’s buttercream and decoration, you’ll need:
• 500g softened butter
• 750g sieved icing sugar
• 2-3 tbsps hot water
• 750g dark chocolate drops
• 250g white sugar paste
• 50g orange sugar paste
• 25g black sugar paste
• 50g of brown sugar paste
• Green food colouring gel
Firstly, heat the oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Butter the base and sides of two 20 centimetre round sandwich tins and line the bases with baking paper.
In a large bowl, beat together the softened unsalted butter, golden caster sugar, large eggs, self-raising flour, cocoa and baking powder and the vanilla extract. Add the milk and a pinch of salt until pale.
Then, pour the mixture into the prepared tins and bake for 20 minutes. Leave the mixture to cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
For your decorations, add the butter cream to a large bowl, or food processor, hot water and mix well. Beat in the icing sugar a little at a time, until it is light and creamy. Melt the chocolate drops and add them to the butter cream, and continue mixing them together.
Use a cake stand or board to sandwich the cakes together with half of the buttercream, then spread the rest on top. Use a fork to create fur like tufts.
Now you can add The Gruffalo’s features. Start by kneading the orange sugar paste until soft. Then, half it and roll into it circles for the eyes. Roll the black sugar paste into two sausages for eyebrows and two small dots for the pupils. Gently place the eyes and eyebrows into the butter cream. You can stick the pupils on with a tiny dab of water.
For The Gruffalo’s nose, roll the brown sugar paste into a large ball and using a toothpick make two holes. Kneed the remaining brown sugar paste and make two ears.
With the white sugar paste, make five small squares and two long pointed shapes for his teeth and tusks. Then make two larger sausage shapes with pointed ends for the horns. Push the teeth in place, then push the horns into the top of the cake. You may want to secure the horns in place with a skewer.
Keep any leftover white sugar paste and add a small amount of green food colouring. Roll it into a small ball and attach it to his nose.
We’d love to see pictures of your Gruffalo cake. Email your creation to Explore.Essex@essex.gov.uk or tag us on social media @exploressex #gruffalocake.
Join us for The Gruffalo’s Big Birthday Bash at Thorndon Country Park on Saturday 14 September.
www.exploreessex.com/events
To find out more about The Gruffalo and Friends Colouring Competition visit:
www.explore-essex.com/ gruffalo-comp
You might also like The Gruffalo at Mercury Theatre
Friday 27 to Sunday 29 September
Join Mouse on a daring adventure through the deep, dark wood in Tall Stories’ magical, musical adaptation of the classic picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler – celebrating 25 years in 2024!
Picnics are a great way to spend time together away from distractions and are a relaxing and affordable way to enjoy long summer days in the great outdoors.
Belhus Woods
Escape the hustle and bustle and head to Belhus Woods where you’ll find lots of relaxing picnic spots. From the wide open forest glade to the musical play area, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. A big favourite is the gazebo spot, offering an undercover area with picnic benches close to the toilets, car park and café.
There are many fantastic spots in our parks for a picnic with friends and family. Whether you choose a handy undercover picnic bench or spread out your blanket on top of a hill with a good view, choosing couldn’t be simpler. Here we bring you our ideas so you can have the perfect picnic in the Essex Country Parks.
Cudmore Grove
Soak up the sea air this summer at Mersea Island’s Cudmore Grove. Children will love the nautical themed play area which is surrounded by picnic benches and welcome shade. Not only can you enjoy the sandy coastline, there’s also acres of wildflower meadows to explore.
Danbury
Nestled between Chelmsford and Maldon, Danbury offers history, serenity and open green spaces. Pick a quiet bench and enjoy the calming sounds of nature beside one of the three large lakes or head to the meadow where you’ll discover a large grassy area that’s perfect for picnics, cartwheels, summer games and more.
Great Notley
Work up an appetite for your picnic with Sky Ropes, our bookable climbing activity, before settling down with some much earned refreshments on Great Notley’s main picnic field. Handily located close to the parking area, take the bags back to the car before heading off again to enjoy the lakes and Essex’s longest play trail.
Hadleigh
Active families who want to exercise and explore before pitching up should visit Hadleigh. Enjoy the many walking or cycling trails before heading uphill for the most scenic picnic spot. Once there you’ll be rewarded with magnificent views of Hadleigh Castle, the Thames Estuary and winding tracks of the park.
Weald
Sunseekers will love watching their children play on the main grassy hill area near the deer enclosure and Stick Man trail. Fly kites, kick balls and enjoy ice cream before heading down to the lake where children can feed the ducks. For those who prefer a proper seated area close to the car park and facilities, head to the historic Belvedere area of the park which offers an all-weather sheltered picnic area.
Some picnic benches are available at Essex Country Park locations. Please note: Barbeques are not permitted at any of our sites and remember to take any rubbish home with you.
To find your perfect picnic spot visit: www.explore-essex.com/places-to-go/our-parks-and-places
Paddle, climb, sail and soar with Essex Outdoors
Discover a hive of activity at Essex Outdoors this summer holiday.
With four Essex Outdoors centres across the county, all providing incredible value school holiday club sessions for those aged eight to sixteen, there’s something for every child.
Each centre offers a slightly different set of stimulating activity sessions depending on their specialism and the day you book.
Bradwell sits on the River Blackwater Estuary and activity days often include sailing. At Danbury, a charming woodland haven, activities may range from climbing and zip wire to archery and bushcraft.
Harlow offers an urban oasis with the high ropes hexagon, a fantastic range of paddle sports and so much more. While the magical Mersea site sits on the coast and offers activities from beach discovery and swimming (in their on-site pool) to aerial adventure.
At Essex Outdoors children are in safe hands. Professional instructors provide constant supervision and all technical equipment is supplied, so all participants need to bring
is comfortable (and waterproof) clothing and footwear, as well as a packed lunch and a drink.
All sites run from approximately 9.00am to 5.00pm, to provide you as parents with full support whether at work or play.
Parent Emma Ranade said: “I just wanted to say thank you for the great holiday activity clubs you run. My two boys have been five times over a couple of weeks and have thoroughly enjoyed every single one. They have been to all sorts of holiday clubs and sports camps before and this is by far their favourite. They tell me all about it each day and usually I can only get an ‘it was OK’ about camps or school!”
To find out more and book: www.essexoutdoors.com/schoolholiday-activities
Simply answer the question below and email it to: Explore. Essex@essex.gov.uk by midnight Sunday 18 August 2024. Title your email ‘Powerboat prize draw’. We’re
Tucked away in a captivating, sheltered spot on the Blackwater Estuary, the Essex Outdoors centre at Bradwell is a specialist Royal Yacht Association Training Centre and a leading provider of sailing, yachting and water sport activities for schools, groups, businesses and individuals.
The team run exciting Experience Days departing from Bradwell-on-Sea for groups of up to seven, aged seven-years-old and above. Moor up at a secret beach or your chosen location for lunch. Go crabbing, take a turn at the helm or simply sit back and enjoy the ride. Build your day how you want it and make memories to last a lifetime with family and friends.
To enter the prize draw:
Experience Constable’s Essex
John Constable (1776 to 1837) grew up near the River Stour on the Essex and Suffolk border. He was an English Romantic painter well known for his bucolic landscapes, which are generally considered some of the most popular and valuable in British art. Here you can find out more about Constable’s Essex and how you can enjoy the special places he painted this summer.
Wivenhoe Park, Essex, 1816
The painting Wivenhoe Park was commissioned by Major-General Francis Slater-Rebow, the owner of Wivenhoe Park and house in the early 19th century. He was a close friend of John Constable’s father, Golding Constable, and one of the artist’s first patrons.
Completed in September 1816, the painting – which reportedly earned Constable enough money to allow him to marry his long-term love Mary Bicknell - is now in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, USA.
Wivenhoe Park summer arts events
Taking place from July to September, a series of weekend outdoor arts events will feature a series of artist led workshops including sculpture, painting and filmmaking honouring Constable’s work.
To find out more about the events and Art Exchange, which are recipients of the Arts and Cultural Fund, visit: www.artexchange.org.ok
The Hay Wain by Packing Shed Theatre
Ingatestone Hall: Thursday 22 August: 7.30pm
Cressing Temple Barns: Friday 23 August: 7.30pm
Flatford Mill: Saturday 31 August: 7.30pm
The Hay Wain is a highly acclaimed atmospheric play that has been described as East Anglia’s very own ‘Les Misérables’. It brings to life the people that populate the picture and lives defined by hardship, hope and resilience.
Find out more: www.castleparktheatre.co.uk
The Hay Wain, 1821
Originally titled ‘Landscape: Noon’, this famous painting depicts a rural scene on the River Stour between Essex and Suffolk. It’s generally regarded as one of Constable’s greatest and most popular English paintings.
Whilst the scene takes place near Flatford Mill in Suffolk, which was owned by Constable’s father, the landscape on the right bank of the river is of Essex.
The Hay Wain was one of a series of paintings called the ‘Six-Footers’ – which were large-scale canvases painted for the annual summer exhibition at London’s Royal Academy. It can now be found in the National Gallery in London.
Visit Hadleigh Castle
Begun around 1215 by Hubert de Burgh and extensively refortified by Edward III during the Hundred Years War, the ruins of Hadleigh Castle can be found on the hill to the south east of Hadleigh Country Park. Today Hadleigh Castle is owned by English Heritage.
Take a circular walk from Chapel Lane car park to the castle. Simply head back towards the Salvation Army tea rooms and follow Sea View Terrace to a farm track which takes you to Hadleigh park’s entrance.
To find out more about the castle visit: www.english-heritage.org.uk/ visit/places/hadleigh-castle. To enjoy a spectacular stroll around Hadleigh visit: www.explore-essex.com/ hadleigh-country-park
Hadleigh Castle, 1829
Constable allegedly first visited Hadleigh Castle in 1814 when he made drawings of the castle, which were developed into the finished painting, and was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1829. The sketch is owned by the Tate Gallery in London, while the painting is now at the Yale Centre for British Art in New Haven, America.
Sounds of the city
A new music festival featuring almost 30 of the most exciting and established UK artists is coming to Chelmsford city centre.
Sounds Good is a new project from the Chelmsford grassroots and not-for-profit music venue Hot Box Live. The pilot festival will take place in the city centre at three venues on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 SeptemberHot Box Live, Chelmsford Theatre Studio and Tindal Squareand will feature local and national artists.
Sounds Good will also include training and development programmes for 60 young people aged 14 to 25-years-old so that they can understand how music venues and festivals operate.
Since its opening, Hot Box Live has become one of the prime venues in Chelmsford for music lovers and regularly features established and up and coming musicians and touring artists.
As a Community Interest Company, Hot Box Live often hosts public events such as chess club sessions, music and general knowledge quizzes, open mic nights and much more.
To find out more about the Sounds Good festival, or if you would like to perform or volunteer, visit: www.soundsgoodchelmsford.co.uk
To discover more about Hot Box Live visit: www.hotboxlive.co.uk
Images courtesy of Hot Box Live.
Breaking Band
Frank Turner
Summer 2024
AirHop Chelmsford and AirHop Colchester
AirHop Summer Pass
Now until Friday 6 September
Jump, save and maximise your bouncing fun with AirHop’s Summer Pass– valid until Friday 6 September. Price: Five 60-minute open jumps for the early bird price of £39.00 (£45.00 recommended retail price). Suitable for four-years-old and over.
www.airhop.co.uk
Audley End
All The Kings Horses
Saturday 24 to Monday 26 August: 10.00am to 6.00pm
Join us for a day at the races as His Majesty’s cavaliers charge into view. Enjoy exceptional horsemanship as soldiers from the Restoration period compete against the backdrop of Audley End’s magnificent mansion. Who will reign supreme? Price: See website. Suitable for all ages.
On selected weekends throughout the summer, we will be bringing the story of the House and Service Wing to life with live interpretation in the open air until Wednesday 25 September. Price: See website. Suitable for all ages.
Discover the mythical creatures living in the woods. Enjoy the stage show with Nibbles the Dragon. Meet the creepy crawlies in the sensory Nature Corner, before exploring the Adventure Playground. Price: Adults and children over 92 centimetres £14.00 to £16.00, children under 92 centimetres, £7.00 to £8.00, children under one-years-old and carers free. Suitable for all ages.
Soul night with Irie J, includes a buffet. Price: £30 per person (nonmembers), £27 (members). Suitable for 18-years-old plus.
www.bentonhall.co.uk/ functions-and-events Brightlingsea Free Music Festival
Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 August
Brightlingsea Free Music Festival has various unique features that set it apart from other ongoing festivals. This festival promotes musicians who wish to develop their original song writing abilities by performing their songs in front of a live audience. Price: Free. Suitable for all ages.
www.brightlingseafreefest.com
Chelmsford Museum
Restless Brilliance: The story of J.A. Baker and The Peregrine
Read more on page 25. Suitable for all the family. Price: Free.
Monday 12 August and Monday 9 September: 10.30am to 12.00pm
Drop in the second Monday of the month to explore our museum objects with our curators and volunteers, share your stories with us and enjoy a cup of tea. Suitable for those who are living with dementia to attend with their families, friends and loved ones. Groups: get in touch for bespoke visits. Price: Free.
Ever heard of this show ‘Hamilton?’ Shamilton is just like that but, ahem, better. Expect the same level of hip hop, incredible songs, stunning choreography and powerhouse singing, except made up by us. Price: £17.00 to £19.00. Suitable for ages 12-years-old plus.
www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk/ events/shamilton
Clacton Pier
Summer Holiday Fireworks Displays
Saturday 27 July and Saturday 3, 10, 17 August, Thursday 22 and 25 Sunday August: 9.00pm
Free summer fireworks displays. Invest in a Big Day Out Band for £20.00 online and £30.00 on the day. Price includes unlimited rides, 18 holes adventure golf, Jurassic Pier entry, one big wheel ride, five video game credits and 50 arcade prize tickets. Rides open until 10.00pm for fireworks events. Suitable for all ages.
www.clactonpier.co.uk
Clacton Airshow
Thursday 22 and Friday 23 August
Clacton Airshow is putting on its D-Day hat this year. The event’s theme will be a salute to the D-Day commemorations. Our glorious seafront plays host to dynamic aerial displays, land-based entertainment and attractions. In addition to the daytime displays on Thursday twilight flights will once again be lighting up the evening sky with smoke, lights, lasers and pyrotechnics. Price: See website. Suitable for all ages.
www.clactonairshow.com
Clacton Carnival
Friday 9 to Sunday 18 August
The theme of 2024’s procession is ‘Mother Nature’s Natural World’. Anyone can take part in procession, they are not required to be a part of any organisation. The street collection for 2024 will be for Clacton RNLI and other local charities as well as organisations that will assist in the running of the procession. Price: See website. Suitable for all ages.
www.clatoncarnival.org
Now to Sunday 15 September
Colchester Castle is thrilled to welcome Gaia, a captivating sixmetre diameter touring artwork that brings the Earth’s beauty to an unprecedented scale. Developed in collaboration with the Natural Environment Research Council, Bluedot and the UK Association for Science and Discovery Centres, Gaia offers a unique and immersive perspective on our planet. Price: Castle admission. Suitable for all ages.
www.colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/ events/gaia
Saturday 17 August: 11.00am to 7.00pm
Colchester Pride 2024 will be held on at the premier arts venue Firstsite, with a mixture of indoor and outdoor activities including the main stage featuring local and national acts and the market area with a variety of food, drink, information and sellers. Price: £5.00 to £10.00. Suitable for all ages.
www.colchesterpride.org/buy-tickets
Shamilton!
Colchester Castle Museum
Gaia
Colchester Pride
Essex Country Parks
Summer Magic Trails in the parks
Running throughout the school holidays
Pick up or download a free trail running at seven country parks and Cressing Temple Barns. Find the magical creatures and count the fairy doors. Supported by the Essex Year of Numbers. Suitable for all ages. Price: Free.
www.explore-essex.com/events
Essex and South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership
Seaside Special Train
Tuesday 27 August: 9.56am from Colchester North Station
An exciting train journey with a seaside focus including a magician and competitions and a goodie bag for each child. Enjoy the beach on arrival at Walton-on-the-Naze and travel back on any train that day. A great value day out. Price: Adult £5.00 and child £3.00. Suitable for children up to the age of 12-yearsold but open to all age. Children must travel with an adult.
www.esscrp.org.uk/events
Essex Outdoors
School Holiday Activity Days
Various dates throughout the school holiday 9.00am to 5.00pm
Enjoy a full day as children rotate around four activities depending on the centre and day you book. For children aged eight-yearsold and over.
www.essexoutdoors.com/schoolholiday-activities
Down Hall
July to September
Various events are taking place throughout the summer at Down Hall. Wimbledon afternoon tea, jazz brunch, outdoor cinema weekends, summer wellness retreat and much more. Price: See website. Suitable for all ages.
www.downhall.co.uk/ upcoming-events
Saturday 20 July: 9.30am to 12.30pm
Join us for breakfast from selected menu followed by two hours of Calligraphy workshop in our beautiful Orangery. Price: £68.00 per person. Suitable for 18-yearsold and over.
www.downhamhall.com/event/ calligraphy-course
Wedding Open Day
Saturday 27 July: 12.00pm to 4.00pm
Wedding open day, all welcome. Appointments not compulsory but you’re encouraged to talk about your plans. Price: Free. Suitable for adults.
www.downhamhall.com/event/ wedding-open-day-2
Easton Lodge Gardens
Remembering the gardens in the World Wars
Sunday 21 July: 11.00am to 5.00pm
Enjoy a day focusing on the World War history of the gardens. Price: £6.50 (£5.50 advance ticket), free for children under 16-years-old. Suitable for all ages.
A lazy day in the gardens, with games for all the family and music from a local saxophone group and woodwind band. Visitors will find something of interest for all, with a garden trail and crafts specifically for the children and craft and plant stalls. Price: £6.50 (£5.50 advance ticket), free for children under 16-years-old. Suitable for all ages.
www.eastonlodge.co.uk/event/ august-open-day
Essex Waterways Limited
Hour boat trips
Tuesday to Sunday: 11.00am to 3.00pm
Enjoy an hour cruise along the historic Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation from Paper Mill Lock, Little Baddow or Heybridge Basin. Spending time by the water is the fastest way to slow down, so take a moment to sit back and enjoy. First trip at 11.00am and runs every hour. Last trip at 3.00pm. Price: £8.00 per adult, £7.00 per child (under the age of 16-years-old, excluding babes in arms), £28.00 per family (two adults, two children). Suitable for all ages.
www.essexwaterways.com
Downham Hall
Calligraphy Course
Annie Get Your Gun
Tuesday 20 August to Sunday 1 September: 3.00pm and 7.30pm
Discover the story of Annie Oakley and her time in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West extravaganza. The Greensward Tent on Frinton Seafront will be ringing with show-stopping tunes such as There’s No Business Like Show Business and Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better). Price: £40.00 to £45.00, under sixteenyears-old half price (matinees only) Blue Light card discounts available. Suitable for families.
www.frintonsummertheatre.org
Green Island Gardens
Jemima Puddleduck
Saturday 10 August and Saturday 17 August: 1.30pm to 3.00pm
Quantum Theatre’s adaptation of this beloved Beatrix Potter tale filled with lots of action and fantastic songs is sure to be a hit with all ages. Price: Adult £16.00, concession £12.00, child £11.00, family (two adults, two children) £43.00, family (two adults, three children) £49.00. Suitable for all ages.
www.quantumtheatre.co.uk/ jemimapuddleduck
Harwich Arts and Heritage Centre
Signals: Film in a Day
Thursday 22 August: 10.00am to 3.00pm
Make a film from script to screen, all in a day. Use professional filmmaking techniques and equipment to create your own short film. Price: Free. Suitable for ages 11-years-old and over.
www.signals.org.uk
Hedingham Castle
Adventure Cinema
Tuesday 13, Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 August: 7.00pm
The UK’s biggest outdoor cinema tour comes to Hedingham Castle with screenings of Pretty Woman, Top Gun and The Greatest Showman. Price: Under 12-yearsold £9.50, standard tickets £15.50, premium tickets £22.50. Suitable for: Individual ratings per film, see website.
Featuring a huge range of vintage pre 1940s and modern classic vehicles, this show is a must for all car lovers. Price: Tickets from £9.00. Suitable for all ages.
The critically-acclaimed Pantaloons put their own innovative and interactive spin on this classic Shakespeare comedy, set in the magical grounds of Hedingham Castle. Price: Tickets from £13.00. Suitable for 12-years-old plus.
www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk/ events/the-merry-wives-of-windsor Knights of Albion Joust
Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 August: 10.00am
Join the Knights of Albion for an unforgettable final joust of the season. Lots of extra activities to enjoy including birds of prey, knight school and much more. Price: Tickets from £16.00. Suitable for all ages.
www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk/ events/albion-joust
Teddy Bear’s Picnic
Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 August: 11.00am or 2.30pm
Bring along your favourite bear and join us on a fun and exciting adventure to get to the picnic on time. This engaging, interactive show incorporates puppets, well known songs and dancing together with educational aspects. Price: £12.50. Suitable for ages twoyears-old plus.
Saturday 24, Sunday 25 and Monday 26 August: 10.00amto 4.00pm
Be sure to book tickets to the best bank holiday event in town. We guarantee you’ll be having so much fun you won’t want go home thanks to children’s funfair rides, mega inflatable slide, bungee trampolines, live performances and more. Price: From £7.00. Suitable for all ages.
www.hopefield.org.uk/bookfamily-fun-weekend
Hylands House
Outdoor Theatre: Peter Pan Performed by Immersion Theatre
Wednesday 21 August: 1.00pm and 4.00pm
Multi-award nominated Immersion Theatre invite you to soar away to Neverland as they bring their trademark energy to their most magical musical to date, Peter Pan. Filled with catchy music, heaps of audience interaction, and a laugha-minute script. Suitable for all ages. Price: Adults £15.00, children under 16-years-old £10.00.
Enjoy films on the UK’s biggest outdoor cinema. The Greatest Showman sing-along, Frozen sing-along, Mamma Mia ABBA Extravaganza, The Gruffalo and Stick Man, Sing , Top Gun, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and Grease sing-along. Picnics and drinks are welcome and hot food and snacks available to purchase. Under 16-year-olds must be accompanied by an adult. For times and price see website. Suitable for all ages.
Organised by Tanya Krackowizer (Hosted at Hylands Estate)
Various weekend dates
Hosted by Tanya at her studio, these workshops make wonderful gifts for those who love to accessorise with handmade jewellery. Fun and informal, great for all abilities. Suitable for 18-years-old and over. Price: From £85.00 per person.
Organised by Mona Marnell (Hosted at Hylands Estate)
Spend a fun day learning a new skill and making your own glass creations with Hylands artist Mona Marnell. Mona teaches you how to cut glass safely and make your pieces to take away. Parking free. Suitable for 18-years-old and over. Price: £110 per person.
www.hylandsestate.co.uk/organiser/ mona-marnell
Illusion Dance Academy
Dance Summer Camp
Monday 12 and Tuesday 13 August: 9.30am (drop off) to 3.30pm (pick up)
Dancing, games, arts and crafts, t-shirt design and finishing day two with a performance. Price: £40.00 a day or £70.00 for both days. Booking essential. Suitable for ages five to 12-years-old.
www.illusionsdanceacademy.com
Mersea Boating Lake
Summer Water Fun Sessions
Enjoy a wealth of water activities, from kayaking and paddleboarding lessons to leisurely swims in the refreshing waters throughout the summer. Make a splash at the aqua park on the thrilling slides and inflatable obstacles. Price: Starting at £25.00 for board hire and session for kayak/paddleboarding. Suitable for anyone who is able to swim 50 meters.
www.merseaboatinglake.com
The Minories
Summer Open Exhibition
Until Sunday 11 August (Thursdays to Sundays) 10.00am to 4.00pm
Enjoy a new biennial art exhibition featuring artworks in a variety of different media. No booking required. Suitable for all ages. Price: Free.
www.theminories.org/whats-on
Adventure Outdoor Cinema
Sleeping Beauty
Friday 16 and Saturday 17 August: 3.00pm
Panto isn’t just for Christmas. Cheer for the good and boo the bad with The Sleeping Beauty summer panto. Can Annie the Nanny and PollyEsther the Jester keep Princess Rose Safe? Why is Fairy Carabosse in such a horrible mood? And will Prince Vince arrive in time to save the day? Suitable for all ages. Price: Adult £22.00, children £14.00.
www.alfrescotheatre.com/book-now
Songs from the West End
Friday 16 and Saturday 17 August: 7.00pm
Bringing the splendour of the West End to Essex. There’s something for everyone, with musical medleys from shows old and new, including Les Misérables, Matilda, Mamma Mia and Chicago to name but a few. Suitable for all ages. Price: Adult £22.00, children under 16-years-old £16.00.
www.alfrescotheatre.com/book-now
The Tiger Who Came To Tea
Friday 26 to Sunday 28 July
Join the tea-guzzling tiger in this delightful family show; packed with oodles of magic, sing-a-long songs and clumsy chaos. Don’t miss this stunning stage adaptation of the classic tale. Suitable for all ages. Price: £16.00.
Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy, Makka Pakka and friends are back in their funfilled live show Igglepiggle’s Busy Day. Join Igglepiggle as he looks for his friends in the Night Garden by following their funny sounds until he finds them all. Suitable for all ages. Price: Tickets from £19.00.
Dare to experience the dangers and delights of Dinosaur World Live in this roarsome interactive show for all the family. Suitable for ages threeyears-old and over. Price: £16.00.
Across 33 interconnected scenes Buckets tells stories of time and how a lack of it affects our emotions and relationships. We follow young people who are all desperately trying to find ways to cope with the fact that time always runs out. Suitable for 12-years-old and over. Price: £12.00.
This family fun production will be packed with songs, dances, fabulous costumes and a ridiculously funny script. Tickets include entry to Layer Marney Tower, gardens, church and playground. Price: Adults £18,.00 children under 16-years-old £12.00, under two-years-old free. Suitable for all ages.
www.layermarneytower. co.uk/events
Songs from the West End
Thursday 15 August: 7.00pm
A magical evening with a medley of songs from the West End. From Les Miserables to Matilda, Mamma Mia to Chicago and so many more. Join us for a magical evening of toe tapping, musical theatre that will leave you humming the tunes all night. Price: Adults £20.00, children under 16-years-old £15.00. Suitable for all ages.
www.layermarneytower. co.uk/events
Marvellous Vintage
Sunday 25 August: 10.30am to 4.30pm
Showcasing a myriad of vintage stalls, classic vehicles, pre-loved furniture, antiques, collectibles and much more. There will also be live music to entertain the family during the day and a variety of food and drink stalls and vintage games. Price: Adults £8.00, concessions £7.00, children 16-years-old and under £2.00. Pre book your tickets and save £2.00 per ticket. Suitable for all ages.
www.layermarneytower. co.uk/events
Mercury Theatre
Sunday 4 to Friday 9 August
One of the UK’s premier family dinghy and day boat regattas. The regatta offers six days of sailing from all Olympic class dinghies to classic day boats, it welcomes all levels of ability. Pyefleet week is organised by Brightlingsea Sailing Club members, the club operates an open door policy throughout the week and welcomes visiting sailors and event goers. Price: See website. Suitable for all ages.
www.pyefleetweek. sailbrightlingsea.com
Rochford: The Mill Arts and Events Centre
The Three Billy Goats Gruff (Garlic Theatre)
Friday 2 August: Performances at 11:30am and 1:30pm
The simple story of three hungry goats and a grumpy old troll, told with a gentle ecological message. Watch out for the dance of the goats, the flying troll and loads and loads of rubbish. With puppets, live music, storytelling and singing. Price: £6.50 per person. Suitable for ages three to six-years-old.
www.rochford.gov.uk/themill
Saffron Hall
National Youth Orchestra (NYO)
Friday 9 August: 7.00pm
The NYO make a welcome return to Saffron Hall. Price: From £12 (includes a commission of £1.00). Suitable for ages sevenyears-old plus.
Aurora Orchestra returns to Saffron Hall for the latest in its series of performances by heart. Price: From £10 (includes a commission of £1.00). Suitable for ages sevenyears-old plus.
A range of events taking place through the summer. From the Summer Fly-in, vintage garden party, the Great War Living History weekend, Wings and Wags dog show, the Festival of the Air and much more. Price: See website. Suitable for all ages.
www.stowmaries.org.uk/events
Tilbury Fort
Summer Holidays at Tilbury Fort
Wednesday to Sunday: 10.00am to 5.00pm
Situated on the Thames estuary, the fort built by Henry VIII has since protected London’s seaward approach. Explore the magazine houses used to store vast quantities of gunpowder or enter the bastion magazine passages and feel what it was like for the soldiers who lived there. Price: See website (book online and save 15% on your ticket). Suitable for all ages.
Come and pick your own sunflowers and wildflowers at our family run Pooty Pools farm. Try out the sunflower maze, have some refreshments or perhaps have a go at flower arranging or yoga amongst the flowers. From mid-July for around a month – please follow social media for flowering updates. Price: Children £3.00, adults £6.00. Suitable for all ages.
www.writtlesunflowers.co.uk
Listings provided by Visit Essex Members
Find out more about Visit Essex and sign up to become a member:
