Essex


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hedingham-castle-the-knights-of-albion-nbsp-joust-halstead-24-25-aug"><a href="https://www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk/events/albion-joust" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hedingham Castle The Knights of Albion&nbsp;Joust</a>, Halstead<br>(24-25 Aug)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/Untitled-design-11-1000x667.jpg" alt="Hedingham Castle The Knights of Albion Joust Essex things to do over the Bank Holiday weekend" class="wp-image-24824" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/Untitled-design-11-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/Untitled-design-11-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/Untitled-design-11-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/Untitled-design-11.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Charge! First on our Essex things to do over the Bank Holiday weekend is something the kids (and you) will love. At <a href="https://www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk/events/albion-joust" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hedingham Castle&#8217;s The Knights of Albion Joust</a> expect displays of action, stunts and battles bang in front of the medieval keep, for the final jousting tournament of the season. It&#8217;s one-on-one combat, on horseback and foot, with armour-clad knights competing to become the ultimate champion. You can also explore the historic castle and gardens, take part in tons of activities and refuel with some proper tasty grub.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-layer-marney-tower-marvellous-vintage-nr-colchester-24-aug"><a href="https://www.layermarneytower.co.uk/events/marvellous-vintage-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Layer Marney Tower Marvellous Vintage</a>, Nr Colchester<br>(24 Aug)</h2>



<p>Want to step back in time and support the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity? Head to <a href="https://www.layermarneytower.co.uk/events/marvellous-vintage-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Layer Marney Tower&#8217;s Marvellous Vintage</a> event for a day packed with stuff to do. On from 11am – 5pm, there&#8217;s classic cars any bloke in your life will want to take a gander at. Plus handmade crafts, vintage stalls, pre-loved furniture, antiques and collectibles. They&#8217;re also putting on plenty of live entertainment and there&#8217;s a choice of food and drink to fill your belly. Well-behaved dogs on leads welcome; book in advance and save £2 a ticket.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bluey-and-bingo-at-epping-ongar-railway-epping-25-aug"><a href="https://www.eorailway.co.uk/events/come-and-see-bluey-and-bingo/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bluey and Bingo at Epping Ongar Railway</a>, Epping<br>(25 Aug)</h2>



<p>One for mini Muddies. Get to <a href="https://www.eorailway.co.uk/events/come-and-see-bluey-and-bingo/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Epping Ongar Railway</a> and join Bluey and little sis Bingo for a day you know your kids will love. As well as vintage bus rides and a 13 mile steam train trip, on your return Bluey and Bingo will be waiting at North Weald Station for you to meet. Every child also gets to take home their own storybook, gingerbread train biscuit, railway activity sheet and juice carton. No nicking that biscuit – unless you&#8217;re prepared for a proper tantrum on the way home.<a href="https://www.helenrollason.org.uk/shop/events/marvellous-vintage-2025/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-raver-tots-outdoor-festival-southend-25-aug"><a href="https://www.ravertots.co.uk/event/raver-tots-outdoor-festival-southend-2025/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Raver Tots Outdoor Festival</a>, Southend (25 Aug)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/Untitled-design-12-1000x667.jpg" alt="Raver Tots Outdoor Festival Essex things to do over the bank holiday weekend" class="wp-image-24828" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/Untitled-design-12-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/Untitled-design-12-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/Untitled-design-12-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/Untitled-design-12.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Water bottles at the ready because it’s time for the whole fam to <a href="https://www.ravertots.co.uk/event/raver-tots-outdoor-festival-southend-2025/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">raise their hands in the air</a> like they just don’t care. Ready for what you get for your buck? General Levy (<em>Junglist Massive</em>), Pied Piper and MC Sharky P (<em>Do You Really Like It</em>) for starters. It&#8217;s worth going for those tunes alone. There&#8217;s also a free funfair, face painting, giant bubbles, food stalls and bar. That&#8217;ll take you back to your free and single days, just with less WKD Blue (why did we do it to ourselves?). Advanced bookings only; get in there quick.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-maldon-food-amp-drink-festival-maldon-24-25-aug"><a href="https://www.foodanddrinkfestivalsuk.co.uk/buy-tickets/maldon-food-and-drink-festival-august-24th-25th-2025/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Maldon Food &amp; Drink Festival</a>, Maldon<br>(24-25 Aug)</h2>



<p>Over in Promenade Park from 11am-6pm, the <a href="https://www.foodanddrinkfestivalsuk.co.uk/buy-tickets/maldon-food-and-drink-festival-august-24th-25th-2025/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Maldon Food &amp; Drink Festival</a>&#8216;s another of our Essex things to do over the Bank Holiday weekend. Why? It&#8217;s two days of food, drink, shopping and music, that&#8217;s why. Expect all of this and plenty more: street food from all over the globe. Bakes and sweet treats. Craft beer, cider and gin bars (thought that&#8217;d get your attention). Artisan cheeses, sauces and local produce. Live music, kids&#8217; rides and craft stalls. And the chance to watch celeb TV chef John Paul Alberti in action. Looks a cracking day.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rhs-garden-hyde-hall-contemporary-craft-amp-design-fair-22-25-aug"><a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/hyde-hall/viewevent?EFID=2159&amp;ESRC=CMS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RHS Garden Hyde Hall Contemporary Craft &amp; Design Fair </a>(22-25 Aug)</h2>



<p>If you’re into art and love nothing more than browsing one-of-a-kind jewellery, ceramics, textiles, fashion and paintings hot foot it to the <a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/hyde-hall/viewevent?EFID=2159&amp;ESRC=CMS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RHS Garden Hyde Hall Contemporary Craft &amp; Design Fair</a>. What we love is that&#8217;s it a much-needed and alternative shopping experience, where you buy directly from a selection of the very best UK craft makers and artists (see ya, middle man). Just a thing to note: bring cash and cards, as their internet&nbsp;signal&#8217;s patchy at times.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clacton-pier-free-fireworks-clacton-on-sea-25-aug"><a href="https://www.clactonpier.co.uk/events/freefireworks-copy-2-copy-copy-copy-copy-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Clacton Pier Free Fireworks</a>, Clacton-on-Sea<br>(25 Aug)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/Untitled-design-2-4-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-24826" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/Untitled-design-2-4-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/Untitled-design-2-4-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/Untitled-design-2-4-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/Untitled-design-2-4.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>OK, some of these are obvious where they are, but some aren&#8217;t, so bear with us when we state the obvious. Like where Clacton Pier is. And what the event&#8217;s about. Yup, so even though we know you know over in Clackers there&#8217;s a <a href="https://www.clactonpier.co.uk/events/freefireworks-copy-2-copy-copy-copy-copy-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">night of free fireworks</a>. Some displays are low-noise for kids. Some are set to music for even more &#8216;ooohs and ahhhs&#8217;. With the pier itself the best spot to take in the show, you really won&#8217;t have to spend a penny. Unless you&#8217;re roped in to handing out money for rides and arcades by those suddenly angelic kids.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-proper-fest-clacton-on-sea-24-aug"><a href="https://www.theproperfest.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proper Fest</a>, Clacton-on-Sea<br>(24 Aug)</h2>



<p>Sticking with Clacton, <a href="https://www.theproperfest.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proper Fest</a> is a multi-genre rave-up, taking you back to the days without contouring/caring what everyone on Insta knew you were up to. Perfect for all music lovers, the main stage (one of seven)&#8217;s got house legends from the late Eighties, Nineties and Noughties to ensure it&#8217;s a Bank Hol to remember (so don&#8217;t overdo the booze or you won&#8217;t remember). Line-up wise, you&#8217;ve Seb Fontane, Ibiza legend Jonathan Ulysses, Tall Paul and DJ Slipmatt – just for a start. You&#8217;re booking right now, aren&#8217;t you?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brightlingsea-food-amp-drink-festival-brightlingsea-23-24-aug"><a href="https://en-gb.facebook.com/BrightlingseaFoodAndDrinkFestival/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brightlingsea Food &amp; Drink Festival</a>, Brightlingsea (23-24 Aug)</h2>



<p>Yet another on our Essex things to do over the Bank Holiday weekend list is <a href="https://en-gb.facebook.com/BrightlingseaFoodAndDrinkFestival/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brightlingsea Food &amp; Drink Festival</a>. This is where to head for top nosh from local producers and top tipples. Kids go free; it&#8217;s only £4 (yes, £4!) per adult and, as well as plenty of eating and drinking, you&#8217;ve a shedload more to do. Think fairground rides, live music, craft shopping and, oops, we&#8217;re going back to the drinks available. That&#8217;s 10 local ales and 39 ciders. And wines, prosecco, soft drinks and alcohol free choices. We&#8217;re so not being the designated driver.</p>


Bank on it: Essex things to do over the Bank Holiday weekend

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