Essex


<p>We&#8217;re spoilt for choice when it comes to bank holidays in May. Need more inspo for the next one? We&#8217;ve got you. Here&#8217;s what&#8217;s on in Essex this Spring Bank Holiday weekend.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-keep-curious-by-blake-walker-museum-of-chelmsford-closes-mon-25-may"><a href="https://www.museumofchelmsford.co.uk/events/keep-curious-by-blake-walker/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Keep Curious by Blake Walker</a>, Museum of Chelmsford, closes Mon 25 May</h2>



<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/22/2026/04/blake-walker-photo-3-copy.jpg" alt="Keep Curious by Blake Walker exhibition at Museum of Chelmsford" class="wp-image-28295" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/04/blake-walker-photo-3-copy.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/04/blake-walker-photo-3-copy-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/04/blake-walker-photo-3-copy-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Keep Curious by Blake Walker, Museum of Chelmsford</figcaption></figure>



<p>How about a visit to <a href="https://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/museums/collections/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Museum of Chelmsford</a> over the bank holiday weekend in Essex? The <a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/museum-of-chelmsford-chelmsford/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">museum</a>&#8216;s galleries include archaeology and exciting local finds, social history, and natural history. As well as the popular live beehive! Interactive exhibits and displays include Roman treasure and a mock Anglo-Saxon burial. Steer kids to the childhood exhibit for a play area with reproduction wooden toys. Teens will enjoy the <em><a href="https://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/museums/whats-on/temporary-exhibitions/keep-curious-by-blake-walker/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Keep Curious</a></em> exhibition by Blake Walker, featuring paintings and mixed media art including skateboard decks and other unique pieces, on until <strong>Mon 25 May</strong>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-colchester-living-history-festival-alresford-hall-nr-colchester-sun-24-amp-mon-25-may"><a href="https://www.alresfordhall.com/colchester-living-history-festival/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Colchester Living History Festival</a>, Alresford Hall, nr. Colchester, Sun 24 &amp; Mon 25 May</h2>



<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/22/2026/04/Colchester-Living-History-3-copy.jpg" alt="Colchester Living History Festival" class="wp-image-28401" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/04/Colchester-Living-History-3-copy.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/04/Colchester-Living-History-3-copy-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/04/Colchester-Living-History-3-copy-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Step back in time as the cavalry come thundering into Colchester! Presented by The Sealed Knot (only Europe&#8217;s largest historical re-enactment society), this re-enactment of the 1648 Siege of Colchester, promises to be an extraordinary sight. When the excitement dies down take part in workshops, explore civilian life and dress like a Pikeman. And, the ticket price includes FREE entry to <a href="https://www.wyvernwood.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wyvernwood</a> (just step through the Magic Portal), where kids can discover an Enchanted Lost Kingdom.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-naze-wildlife-discovery-the-naze-discovery-centre-walton-on-the-naze-mon-25-may"><a href="https://www.essexwt.org.uk/events/2026-05-25-naze-wildlife-discovery" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Naze Wildlife Discovery</a>, The Naze Discovery Centre, Walton on The Naze, Mon 25 May</h2>



<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/22/2026/04/Rockpool_2_cpt_Nicola_Davison_permission_until_April2014.jpg-copy.jpg" alt="Seashore discovery at The Naze" class="wp-image-28405" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/04/Rockpool_2_cpt_Nicola_Davison_permission_until_April2014.jpg-copy.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/04/Rockpool_2_cpt_Nicola_Davison_permission_until_April2014.jpg-copy-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/04/Rockpool_2_cpt_Nicola_Davison_permission_until_April2014.jpg-copy-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Gather the family and explore the grassland and scrubland at The Naze, hunting for bugs, spotting birds and tracking signs of small mammals. After the session is up, head to the beach for some fossil hunting too, or join the afternoon session, <a href="https://www.essexwt.org.uk/events/2026-05-25-naze-seashore-discovery" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Seashore Discovery</a>, to discover the sea&#8217;s fascinating creatures.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gruffalo-weekend-audley-end-enchanted-railway-saffron-walden-sat-23-mon-25-may"><a href="https://audley-end-railway.co.uk/whats-on/gruffalo-event-weekend-23rd-25th-may-2026/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gruffalo Weekend</a>, Audley End Enchanted Railway, Saffron Walden, Sat 23 &#8211; Mon 25 May</h2>



<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/22/2026/04/Fairies-at-Craft-Lodge.jpeg" alt="Fairies at Audley End Enchanted railway" class="wp-image-28403" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/04/Fairies-at-Craft-Lodge.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/04/Fairies-at-Craft-Lodge-800x534.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/04/Fairies-at-Craft-Lodge-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Take a stroll through the deep dark wood at Audley End Enchanted Railway, and you might just discover the <em>Gruffalo</em>. For one weekend only, the family favourite will be making an appearance, plus kids can enjoy all the regular fun. There&#8217;s the role-play village, enchanted train and the Fairy &amp; Elf Walk to explore too.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-family-forest-fun-grange-farm-centre-chigwell-mon-25-may"><a href="https://www.essexwt.org.uk/events/2026-05-25-grange-farm-family-forest-fun" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Family Forest Fun</a>, Grange Farm Centre, Chigwell, Mon 25 May</h2>



<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/22/2026/04/Family-Forest-Fun.jpg-copy.jpg" alt="Family forest fun at Grange Far, Chigwell" class="wp-image-28404" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/04/Family-Forest-Fun.jpg-copy.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/04/Family-Forest-Fun.jpg-copy-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/04/Family-Forest-Fun.jpg-copy-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Hanging out in a hammock sounds like our kind of bank holiday! Sadly there&#8217;s no sandy beach or cocktail in hand, but there is dens to be built, bugs to be hunted, trees to be climbed and a kitchen to be made muddy! </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-festival-in-the-gardens-braintree-sat-23-sun-24-may"><a href="https://www.festivalinthegardens.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Festival in The Gardens</a>, Braintree, Sat 23 &#8211; Sun 24 May</h2>



<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/22/2026/05/braintree.jpg" alt="Festival in the Gardens braintree" class="wp-image-28689" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/05/braintree.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/05/braintree-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/05/braintree-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Never one to disappoint, Braintree’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.festivalinthegardens.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Festival In The Gardens</a> is on from&nbsp;<strong>Sat 23 – Sun 24 May</strong>. With street food and locally-brewed ales behind the bar; craft stalls and children&#8217;s entertainment, there&#8217;s plenty going on alongside the live music.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hoop-fest-the-hoop-stock-sun-24-may"><a href="https://www.thehoop.co.uk/hoopfest" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hoop Fest</a>, The Hoop, Stock, Sun 24 May</h2>



<p>At Stock’s <a href="https://www.thehoop.co.uk/hoopfest" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hoop Fest</a>&nbsp;(<strong>Sun 24 May</strong>), you can expect a beer and cider tent, pizza and hog roast and obligatory live music that’s a festival essential. Essex Spirits will be there hosting the cocktail stall, and Paul Laurie The Essex Wine Man! No kids allowed at this one (what an excuse for a child-free afternoon).</p>



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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/for-kids/may-half-term-ideas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">School hols again? 20+ things to do in Essex this half term</a></li>



<li><a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/day-trips/things-to-do-on-a-rainy-day/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">25+ things to do in Essex when it’s raining</a></li>



<li><a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/this-month/essex-may-things-to-do/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">What’s on near you? 30+ things to do in Essex this May</a></li>
</ul>



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What’s on over the bank holiday weekend in Essex

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