Essex

EVENT: <a href="https://www.visitmaldon.co.uk/beeleigh-abbey/">Beeleigh Abbey Gardens Open Days</a>, 23 September



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Who doesn’t love an open garden? Especially when the grounds are this pretty. The historic Maldon monastery (dating back to 1180) is opening the gates to its stunning three acre garden throughout September, so you have lots of time to pop along and have a nosey. Expect fruit orchards, rose gardens, water features, wildflower meadows and more. Don’t leave without grabbing a cuppa at the courtyard café – it’s super cute.







COMEDY: <a href="https://southendtheatres.org.uk/online/tickets-katherine-ryan-southend-sep-2022">Katherine Ryan – Missus</a>, Cliffs Pavilion, 23 September



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The cool Canadian comedienne returns to the stage with a brand new tour after making some LOL-a-minute TV hits (including Netflix&#8217;s The Duchess – brilliant if you haven’t already seen it). Expect unfiltered stand-up on life, love and an accidental marriage (!).



WORKSHOP: <a href="https://www.markshall.org.uk/whatsonevent/fundamentals-of-photography/">Autumn Photography Workshop</a>, Markshall Estate, 25 September



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Ok, so the iPhone camera is a good an’ all (hello, boozy selfies), but sometimes you just can’t beat the real thing. Swat up on angles, lighting and composition in the beautiful grounds of Markshall then book a dinner party in ASAP to show off your shiny new skills to all your friends.



EVENT: <a href="https://www.eorailway.co.uk/events/come-and-see-the-gruffalo/">London to Southend Bike Ride</a>, 25 September &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



Lycra on! The annual bike-a-thon starts in Victoria Park in Tower Hamlets and weaves all the way to the finish line in Southend’s Priory Park. Riders will stop at a beauty spot or two along the way (including Mountnessing windmill for lunch) before collecting their medal and a celebratory drink or ten. 



THEATRE: <a href="https://southendtheatres.org.uk/online/tickets-joseph-and-the-amazing-technicolor-dreamcoat-southend-2022">Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat</a>, Cliffs Pavilion, 26 September – 1 October



Erm, you had me at Jason Donovan. The ex-Neighbours star and all-round legend will play Pharaoh alongside Alexandra Burke (The Narrator) and West End star Jac Yarrow (Joseph) in the iconic musical we all know and love. ‘I close my eeeeeeeyes’… ahem. FYI: the theatre has added more dates because tickets are selling like hotcakes, so get booking!



CINEMA: <a href="https://firstsite.uk/event/the-royal-opera-house-madama-butterfly-live/">The Royal Opera House: Madama Butterfly (Live)</a>, Firstsite, 27 September



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The perfect date night for culture vultures. Love, tragedy and well, more tragedy, Puccini’s tale of a young Geisha that falls for an American naval officer is both brilliant and heart-wrenching. Warning: pack ALL the tissues.







<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Great but already gone!</h2>







FOOD &amp; DRINK: <a href="https://www.pigandwhistlechelmsford.uk/tasting">The Taste of Wonderland</a>, Pig &amp; Whistle Restaurant, 1 September



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Take a tasty little trip down the rabbit hole at Chelmsford’s cutest countryside restaurant with an exclusive Alice in Wonderland-themed 9 course tasting menu. Think deliciously quirky courses – including ‘Cheshire Cat’s Food’ and ‘Drink me Surprise’ – made from fresh local ingredients. Yum. 



EVENT: <a href="https://bbcgardenersworldfairautumn.seetickets.com/content/ticket-options">BBC Gardeners&#8217; World Autumn Fair</a>, Audley End House &amp; Gardens, 2 September



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Know your Sunflowers from your Salvias? Head to this blooming brilliant flower fair in Saffron Walden for expert talks and tours, inspo and, of course, shopping. You can also stuff your face with goodies from the BBC Good Food Market while you peruse your favourite plants.



FOOD &amp; DRINK: <a href="https://www.mercurytheatre.co.uk/event/colchester-farmers-market/">Colchester Farmers’ Market</a>, The Mercury Theatre, 2 September



Oh, you can’t beat a good old farmers’ market. Am I right? And the local line-up at Colchester’s Farmers’ Market this year looks fab. We’re talking Essex Honey, Totham Bangers, Tensheds Bakehouse and Matapos Spirits. Is 10am too early for a G&amp;T? Asking for a friend…



FAMILY: <a href="https://southendtheatres.org.uk/online/tickets-the-tiger-who-came-to-tea-southend-2022">The Tiger Who Came To Tea</a>, Palace Theatre, 2-4 September



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/01/Tiger-Who-Came-to-Tea-stage-show.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-6476" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/01/Tiger-Who-Came-to-Tea-stage-show.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/01/Tiger-Who-Came-to-Tea-stage-show-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/01/Tiger-Who-Came-to-Tea-stage-show-768x511.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/01/Tiger-Who-Came-to-Tea-stage-show-788x525.jpeg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Ding, dong! Everyone’s favourite stripy teatime guest is on tour and his next stop is sunny Southend. Straight from the West End, this purrfect (sorry, not sorry) adaptation of Judith Kerr’s kiddy classic is the perfect day out for all the family. &nbsp;



EVENT: <a href="https://firstsite.uk/event/colchester-record-fair/">Colchester Record Fair</a>, Firstsite, 3 September



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="600" src="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/08/Records-Clay-Banks.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-8877" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/08/Records-Clay-Banks.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/08/Records-Clay-Banks-800x480.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/08/Records-Clay-Banks-768x461.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/08/Records-Clay-Banks-875x525.jpg 875w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Image credit: Clay Banks, Unsplash</figcaption></figure>



Forget streaming (cover your ears, kids), this is all about vintage vinyls and CDs for old-school music lovers. Whether you’re a serious collector or just fancy popping in to peruse, there’s always a cheeky bargain or two to be had at this cool annual fair.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">ALREADY GONE THIS MONTH</h2>



ART: <a href="https://www.leigharttrail.com/">Leigh Art Trail</a>, 3-11 September



This chic seaside art trail turns 25 this year and it’s set the be the best yet with 69 brilliant local artists popping up in local shops, cafés and galleries over nine days. From watercolour workshops and photography exhibitions to pavement chalk art (yes, you read that right!) – there’s definitely something for everyone.



MUSIC: <a href="https://www.wivenhoehouse.co.uk/event/flashback-friday-80sand90s-night/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw9ZGYBhCEARIsAEUXITVE-Hq_n5CEkt4rUcwMLslVK2EAMUoUVVMOxhzbgx9BFHcd9rlDYgsaAp92EALw_wcB">Flashback Friday 80’s &amp; 90’s Night</a>, Wivenhoe House Hotel, 9 September



Shell suits and shoulder pads at the ready! Grab your best gal pals and head to this retro disco night for dinner, dancing and drinks (obvs). Belt out all your favourite 80’s and 90’s tunes from 7.30pm-11.30pm then hop in a taxi before you turn into a perm-topped pumpkin.



EVENT: <a href="https://chelmsfordcityracecourse.com/whats-on/gentlemens-day-580438">Gentlemen&#8217;s Day with Trevor Nelson</a>, Chelmsford City Racecourse, 10 September



Don’t be fooled by the name, ladies – this is for guys and gals. Fancy the VIP treatment? Book the Summer Marquee package (£72.50 pp), which promises a slap up three-course meal and a prime viewing spot for the Parade Ring, Grandstand and stage – where legendary DJ Trevor Nelson will be performing on the decks. *Puts on dance shoes*



FAMILY: <a href="https://www.barleylands.co.uk/events/">Classic Motor Show and Family Fun Day</a>, Barleylands, 11 September



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="600" src="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/08/Barleylands-classic-car-show-Benjamin-Elliott.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-8878" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/08/Barleylands-classic-car-show-Benjamin-Elliott.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/08/Barleylands-classic-car-show-Benjamin-Elliott-800x480.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/08/Barleylands-classic-car-show-Benjamin-Elliott-768x461.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/08/Barleylands-classic-car-show-Benjamin-Elliott-875x525.jpg 875w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Image credit: Benjamin Elliot, Unsplash</figcaption></figure>



One for the petrol heads (big and small). Haddon Events Classic &amp; Vintage Shows will be setting up camp for one day only this September and there’s tonnes of brilliant things in store. The classic car and vehicle display promises to be impressive, of course, but you and the family can also look forward to: a vintage market and tea room, dance displays, monster truck rides (cue annoying Blippi song), live wrestling and an epic bouncy castle area. Phew.



FAMILY: <a href="https://www.eorailway.co.uk/events/come-and-see-the-gruffalo/">Come and see The Gruffalo</a>, Epping Ongar Railway, 11 September



There’s no such thing as a Gruffalo? Take a ride on the Epping Ongar Railway to see for yourselves. Not only will the sprogs be able to meet the main man himself, there will also be magic shows, live storytelling and a Gruffalo-themed egg hunt.



COMEDY: <a href="https://colchester-events.co.uk/event/russell-kane/">Russell Kane Live – The Essex Variant</a>, Charter Hall, 16 September



Who better to bring the ‘bants’ than a fellow Essex native? Kane’s newest tour is all about Essex (the clue’s in the name), and naturally, we’re here for it. Expect lots of local in-jokes, impressions, accents and big massive belly laughs.



EVENT: <a href="https://www.wonky-wheel.co.uk/finchingfield-craft-market">Finchingfield Makers Market,</a> Finchingfield Guildhall, 17 September



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Oh, we love locals supporting locals and this is a great example of that. Curated by Mary at Wonky Wheel Gallery, this lovely little market champions independent makers in and around Essex – from art and photography to textiles and ceramics.



FOOD &amp; DRINK: Curry &amp; Wine In The Vines, <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="http://www.thorringtonmill.co.uk/events/" target="_blank">Thorrington Mill Vineyard</a>, 17 September 



Curry AND wine? Two of my great loves and a great idea for a gorgeous al fresco evening out with family and/or friends amongst the vines at this burgeoning little vineyard close to Brightlingsea. 



EVENT: <a href="https://www.markshall.org.uk/whatsonevent/stargazing-evening-2-2/">Stargazing Evening</a>, Markshall Estate, 17 September



Doesn’t this sound lovely? Whether you’re an aspiring astronomer or just fancy a night out with a difference, this is just the ticket. Swat up on your constellations, planets, moons and more then head to the Orchard Café for some grub. Good to know: main meals need to be pre-ordered. &nbsp;&nbsp;



FOOD &amp; DRINK: <a href="https://hylandsestate.co.uk/events/hylands-estate-open-day-and-farmers-craft-market-free-11/">Open Day and Farmers’ &amp; Craft Market</a>, Hylands House, 18 September



Hylands’ elegant Neo-Classical villa will be opening its grand doors for a good-old fashioned nosey this September (ideal for Essex history buffs or brides-to-be). But that’s not all. The annual farmers’ market returns and its stalls will be bursting with local goodies – think everything from local cheeses to handmade candles.

Hello, September! Our guide to what’s on in Essex this month

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