Essex


<p>Fancy a peek behind the doors of Essex&#8217;s most intriguing buildings and spaces? Now&#8217;s your chance, as the annual Essex <a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/">Heritage Open Days</a> are on <strong>now until 15 Sept</strong>. There&#8217;s free drop-in and bookable events, from tours and talks to walks and workshops. Don’t know where to start? Let us help with our pick of what to enjoy in Essex.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-colchester-castle-museum-14-sept"><a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/colchester-castle-museum-1.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Colchester Castle Museum</a>, 14 Sept</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/22/2024/09/5-2-1000x667.jpg" alt="Heritage Open Days Colchester Castle" class="wp-image-18442" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/5-2-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/5-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/5-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/5-2.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>First on our Essex Heritage Open Days line-up is <a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/colchester-castle-museum-1.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Colchester Castle</a>. On from 10am-5pm, it&#8217;s Europe&#8217;s largest Norman keep built on the foundations of the Roman Temple of Claudius. Constructed around 1076 by William the Conqueror it&#8217;s been a royal fortress, prison and, since 1860, a museum. This summer&#8217;s exhibition is &#8216;Gaia&#8217;, a six-metre diameter floating globe that brings the Earth’s beauty to an unprecedented scale. No pre-booking required.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mersea-roman-barrow-14-15-sept"><a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/mersea-roman-barrow.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mersea Roman Barrow</a>, 14-15 Sept</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/22/2024/09/4-2-1000x667.jpg" alt="Mersea Roman Barrow" class="wp-image-18443" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/4-2-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/4-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/4-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/4-2.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The <a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/colchester-castle-museum-1.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mersea Roman Barrow</a> is a Roman burial mound dated 100-120 AD. Visit on the 14-15 Sept between 10am-4pm for an informative and illustrated talk, before up to 10 people at a time enter the burial chamber. You can also climb to the top of the mound to get an idea of its height and position. There&#8217;s a booklet to buy at the site, as well as information boards at the free car park and inside the chamber. No pre-booking required.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-colne-valley-postal-history-museum-15-sept"><a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/colne-valley-postal-history-museum.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Colne Valley Postal History Museum</a>, 15 Sept</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/22/2024/09/6-1-1000x667.jpg" alt="Colne Valley Postal History Museum," class="wp-image-18444" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/6-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/6-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/6-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/6-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Another of our Essex Heritage Open Days to check out is the <a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/colne-valley-postal-history-museum.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Colne Valley Postal History Museum</a>. Housed in the gardens of a large suburban Halstead house, the collection&#8217;s built up over a number of years by one man. It now comprises 165 ex-British Post Office and overseas letter boxes plus stamp vending machines, documents, bicycles, uniforms and other artefacts. Two buildings are set up to show a rural post office of the 1940s/50s and 1980/90s. Kids can try on uniforms, work the machines and post their own letters. 10am-4pm for an hour, no pre-booking required.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-harwich-redoubt-fort-14-15-sept"><a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/redoubt-fort.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harwich Redoubt Fort</a>, 14-15 Sept</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/22/2024/09/1-3-1000x667.jpg" alt="Harwich Redoubt Fort" class="wp-image-18445" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/1-3-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/1-3-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/1-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/1-3.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/redoubt-fort.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Redoubt Fort</a>&#8216;s 180 feet in diameter and was built in 1808 to defend Harwich against invasion by Napoleon Bonaparte. Eleven guns sit on the battlements, and you&#8217;ve also superb 360 degree views of the Harwich Peninsula, the Stour and Orwell Estuary, Felixstowe Dock and Walton on the Naze. Lovingly restored, it holds many interesting artefacts in the lower rooms. Well worth a visit from 10am-4pm, no pre-booking required.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rayleigh-windmill-tour-14-15-sept"><a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/rayleigh-windmill.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rayleigh Windmill Tour</a>, 14-15 Sept</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/22/2024/09/2-3-1000x667.jpg" alt="Rayleigh Windmill" class="wp-image-18446" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/2-3-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/2-3-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/2-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/2-3.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Everyone is welcome to come and explore this 215 year old, <a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/rayleigh-windmill.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Grade II listed windmill</a>. On from 1-4pm on 14-15 Sept, learn how the windmill worked and try the quiz in the museum. You can also dress up in traditional costumes and find out about the Castle that once stood on Rayleigh Mount. Local artist Julie Kellett is exhibiting and will even be in attendance. Again, no pre-booking required.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hylands-house-open-day-15-sept"><a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/hylands-house-open-day.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hylands House Open Day</a>, 15 Sept</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/22/2024/09/8-1-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-18448" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/8-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/8-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/8-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/8-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Another on our Essex Heritage Open Days is <a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/hylands-house-open-day.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chelmsford&#8217;s Hylands House</a>, set within a Grade II* listed public park with 574 acres of grounds and woodland. There&#8217;s an exhibition on Hylands Families to check out, and you can also chat with the Essex Society of Family History. All that plus a children’s activity involving creating their own family tree makes for a great day out. 10am-4pm; no pre-booking required.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-making-connections-at-prittlewell-priory-11-sept"><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/making-connections-at-prittlewell-priory-tickets-981948072117">Making Connections at Prittlewell Priory</a>, 11 Sept</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/7-1-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-18449" style="aspect-ratio:1.4992503748125936;width:640px;height:auto" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/7-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/7-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/7-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/7-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Many think of Prittlewell as just an area of Southend on Sea, a small offshoot of the seaside city popularised by Victorians pleasure seekers and commuters. However, <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/making-connections-at-prittlewell-priory-tickets-981948072117" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Prittlewell predates Southend</a> by hundreds of years as the original settlement in the area. Hop off the train at the station and take a guided walking tour to the Priory, passing through 2,000 years of local history, to discover just how connected the area is.&nbsp;2pm; <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/making-connections-at-prittlewell-priory-tickets-981948072117" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pre-booking required</a>, ages 16+.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-upminster-st-laurence-church-14-sept"><a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/st-laurence-church-upminster.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Upminster St Laurence Church</a>, 14 Sept</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/22/2024/09/3-3-1000x667.jpg" alt="Upminster St Laurence Church" class="wp-image-18447" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/3-3-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/3-3-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/3-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/3-3.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>On 14 Sept take advantage of the opportunity to look around the historic <a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/st-laurence-church-upminster.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Laurence Church</a>. A church has been on this site since the original minster was founded in the 7th century, with the current building dating from the 12th-20th centuries. It contains numerous memorials to local people, including the Holden family who were the incumbents for many years. There&#8217;s also interesting stained glass, including a window of armorial and domestic patterns dated 1630. Head along from 10am-4pm to discover current and historical info, as well as a children&#8217;s trail and stewards available to answer your questions.</p>


Let’s go! Places to visit during Essex Heritage Open Days

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