Essex

Exhausted all your usual things to do over the summer? Try something new with one of our favourite things to do in Essex this August.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/07/aSQ3nGGnmrmGqKrm_2426x1365-Bastille.jpg" alt="Bastille" class="wp-image-29398" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/07/aSQ3nGGnmrmGqKrm_2426x1365-Bastille.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/07/aSQ3nGGnmrmGqKrm_2426x1365-Bastille-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/07/aSQ3nGGnmrmGqKrm_2426x1365-Bastille-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Bastille</figcaption></figure>



This epic event just had to be on our things to do in Essex this August:&nbsp;<a href="https://colchestercastlesummerseries.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Colchester Castle Summer Series</a>. Taking place in Lower Castle Park, they&#8217;ve gone all out when it comes to their new series of shows. Which acts? It starts with Billy Ocean (Thu 20 Aug); Hollywood Vampires (Fri 21 Aug); Becky Hill (Sat 22 Aug); Bastille (Sun 23 Aug); Rochard Ashcroft (Thu 27 Aug); JLS (Fri 28 Aug), and finally, Fat Boy Slim (Sat 29 Aug). That&#8217;s a quite a series of events!



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/07/hyde-hall-brick-explorers-dragonfly.jpg" alt="Brick Explorers Dragonfly at RHS Hyde Hall" class="wp-image-29409" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/07/hyde-hall-brick-explorers-dragonfly.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/07/hyde-hall-brick-explorers-dragonfly-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/07/hyde-hall-brick-explorers-dragonfly-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/hyde-hall/whats-on/summer-holidays" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brick Explorers</a> is the theme at RHS Garden Hyde Hall this summer. Discover the sculptures on the wildlife superhero trail, inspired by the plants, animals and fungi we find in our gardens. On selected days, you can show off your skills at the Brick Explorers build station too. Mike Dodsworth enchanting storytelling walks will return for the holidays too!



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="668" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/07/akshaya-jayaprakash-W6jVwPBz-kw-unsplash.jpg" alt="Pizza with chilli" class="wp-image-29404" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/07/akshaya-jayaprakash-W6jVwPBz-kw-unsplash.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/07/akshaya-jayaprakash-W6jVwPBz-kw-unsplash-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/07/akshaya-jayaprakash-W6jVwPBz-kw-unsplash-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



The <a href="https://www.tickettailor.com/events/essexpizzafestival/2106559" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Essex Pizza Festival</a> is heading to Leigh-on-Sea on Sat 8 Aug. Buy a ticket and you&#8217;ll get your first (very generous) slice included. Each vendor, some of Essex&#8217;s finest, will serve a Margherita and a Special of their choice, on which they will be judged! DJs, performers, workshops and the kids zone, will keep you entertained, while you wait for your next slice.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/07/0051d7_e6830dcb4de945018ce0c0c8bb96d1e8mv2.jpg" alt="People enjoying picnic at New Hall Wine Estate" class="wp-image-29400" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/07/0051d7_e6830dcb4de945018ce0c0c8bb96d1e8mv2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/07/0051d7_e6830dcb4de945018ce0c0c8bb96d1e8mv2-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/07/0051d7_e6830dcb4de945018ce0c0c8bb96d1e8mv2-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/07/0051d7_e6830dcb4de945018ce0c0c8bb96d1e8mv2-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/07/0051d7_e6830dcb4de945018ce0c0c8bb96d1e8mv2-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">New Hall Wine Estate</figcaption></figure>



There&#8217;s more locally-produced food to be eaten at New Hall Wine Estate&#8217;s, <a href="https://www.newhallwines.com/general-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Beats and Eats </a>event on Fri 14 Aug. Head to the Purleigh vineyard for the free event, where you can buy soul food from Canatelz, and of course enjoy a few glasses of New Hall wine, available to buy by the glass. Sit back amongst the vines and enjoy the soulful tunes for a glorious sundowner.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/07/Woodland_Table_people.png" alt="Garden Gatherings at The Woodland table" class="wp-image-29392" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/07/Woodland_Table_people.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/07/Woodland_Table_people-800x534.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/07/Woodland_Table_people-768x512.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



You can soak up the great outdoors at Down Hall, Hatfield Heath, too. <a href="https://www.downhall.co.uk/upcoming-events/garden-gatherings-at-the-woodland-table" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Garden Gatherings at The Woodland Table</a>, Sun 16 Aug, is more of an experience than a meal. There&#8217;s estate-inspired cocktails and seasonal sharing platters, cooked over open flames, with you dining under the sky on tables and benches made from the estate’s felled trees.



<a href="https://www.smokeandfirefestival.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Maldon Smoke and Fire Festival</a>&nbsp;(Sat 15 &#8211; Sun 16 Aug)&nbsp;needs to be on your things to do in Essex this August.&nbsp;There’s championship BBQ competitions, award-winning street food, live music, cooking demos, family entertainment and weekend camping.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/07/69dca490511f3e7a7dc87ea1_13_RED-20250928-446-Malta-PR-1546.jpg" alt="Red Arrows" class="wp-image-29401" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/07/69dca490511f3e7a7dc87ea1_13_RED-20250928-446-Malta-PR-1546.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/07/69dca490511f3e7a7dc87ea1_13_RED-20250928-446-Malta-PR-1546-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/07/69dca490511f3e7a7dc87ea1_13_RED-20250928-446-Malta-PR-1546-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Official RAF Red Arrows</figcaption></figure>



<a href="http://clactonairshow.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Clacton Air Show</a>&nbsp;(Thu 27 &amp; Fri 28 Aug) is another must, with aerial displays plus other attractions. Twilight flights will also illuminate the night sky with lights, lasers and pyrotechnics on the Thu evening.



Like beer and cider? Head to The Cricketers Clavering&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thecricketers.co.uk/cricketers-beer-and-cider-festival" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Beer and Cider Festival</a> in Saffron Walden (Fri 21 &#8211; Sun 23 Aug). This three-dayer is packed with, well, local beer and cider, festival-style food, live music and plenty of pints. Just be sure to buy a pre-paid stamp card via their online shop or pick one up when you arrive for two pints for £10 or five pints for £20. Five pints for £20? Absolute steal.



<a href="https://visioncinema.co.uk/location/canvey-island-outdoor-cinema/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vision Cinema</a>&#8216;s at Canvey Island this year (Fri 28 -Sun 30 Aug), Waterside Farm. It&#8217;s got scares for grown-ups like a screening of Boogeyman 2 and things more suitable for little ones, like Zootopia 2 and K Pop Demon Hunters. There&#8217;s also classic cinema snacks, gourmet extras, milkshakes, desserts and a licensed bar (yay!). You don&#8217;t even have to get up from the comfy inflatable seating while tucked under a blanket: just order from your phone and ta-da! 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2560" height="2560" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/07/heather-mckean-T98W1Hzdwc8-unsplash-scaled.jpg" alt="bucket and spade in the sand" class="wp-image-29403" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/07/heather-mckean-T98W1Hzdwc8-unsplash-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/07/heather-mckean-T98W1Hzdwc8-unsplash-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/07/heather-mckean-T98W1Hzdwc8-unsplash-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/07/heather-mckean-T98W1Hzdwc8-unsplash-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/07/heather-mckean-T98W1Hzdwc8-unsplash-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/07/heather-mckean-T98W1Hzdwc8-unsplash-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/07/heather-mckean-T98W1Hzdwc8-unsplash-2048x2048.jpg 2048w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/07/heather-mckean-T98W1Hzdwc8-unsplash-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/07/heather-mckean-T98W1Hzdwc8-unsplash-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></figure>



Want a few minutes to chill, but don&#8217;t have the time to fit in a beach trip? The Destination @ Lakeside has the solution. <a href="https://www.thedestinationatlakeside.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Beach</a> is open until 1 Sept, and is token operated, as are the rest of the rides. Kids can play in the sand and soak each other in the splash pool in 20 minutes sessions, while you take a weight off after a day of shopping. There are hour long quiet sessions too that are bookable, before the area is open to all!



Peter and his cousin are up to no good again in the <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/essex-bedfordshire-hertfordshire/hatfield-forest/events/946c253d-7d7e-4d59-be70-ae3198d3d016?origin=search" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Tale of Peter Rabbit</a> (when will they learn?). Catch Quantum Theatre&#8217;s adaption at Hatfield Forest, Bishop&#8217;s Stortford on Thu 6 Aug. Take blanket and a picnic –&nbsp;kids will love the magical outdoor show as they watch Peter &amp; Co, try to escape Mr McGregor, yet again. 



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/summer-holiday-ideas-for-kids/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Things to do with kids in Essex this summer</a></li>



<li><a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wellbeing/press-pause-where-to-enjoy-outdoor-yoga-in-essex-and-pilates/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Press pause: where to enjoy outdoor yoga in Essex (and pilates)</a></li>



<li><a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/cute-cafe-catch-ups-essex/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Muddy’s fave Essex brunch spots</a></li>
</ul>

Hot off the press! Things to do in Essex this August

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