ERO Presents: Dick Turpin - Fact and Fiction
Join speaker Dr Jonathan Oates as he talks about Dick Turpin, possibly the most famous highwayman in England and a man of Essex.
Dick Turpin is a name well known to many people as the most famous highwayman in British history. There have been many plays, poems, songs, films and TV dramas about him and his exploits. But how true to life are these stories? Even when attempts are made to demythologise him, these versions are often at fault, based on limited research. This talk attempts to separate history from myth.
Dr Jonathan Oates is a prolific author specialising in the history of Jacobitism and historical crime and has had over 40 books published. His day job is Borough Archivist for Ealing.
Event details
Explore Essex
Search our parks and places to plan your perfect day out

Need to know
Explorer Pass
Save money with your Explorer Pass
Our annual Explore Essex Pass will give you and your family the freedom to explore some of the incredible places and green spaces that Essex has to offer, as many times as you like throughout the year, with free parking at seven country parks, 2 or 1 on Sky Ropes, priority booking on specific events, and 10% discounts at many cafes and visitor centres.
Related events

ERO Presents: Witchland
Recovering Stories of Civil War Witches in Essex, Norfolk and Beyond: Morning and evening talk and book launch.
- Dates: September 29, 2026
- Venue: Essex Record Office
- Times: 10:30am - 12:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: £6.75

Essex Archeaology Conference at the Essex Record Office
Essex County Council's Place Services are hosting the conference at the Essex Record Office and are working in partnership with The Essex Society for Archaeology and History.
- Dates: October 3, 2026
- Venue: Essex Record Office
- Times: 9:00am - 5:30pm
- For adults
- Price: £40.00 per person.

ERO Presents: Essex and the French Wars c.1795-1815
Join the ERO for this day conference, held in conjunction with the Waterloo Association, abou the period of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.
- Dates: October 17, 2026
- Venue: Essex Record Office
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: £25.00