Festival of Essex Archaeology and Heritage

Discover the very first Festival of Essex Archaeology and Heritage 🔍📖🏹

A fantastic new and FREE festival for anyone with an interest in archaeology, history and the heritage of Essex – young and old.

Encounter some of the country’s leading experts and those involved in discovering, preserving and presenting the best of the county’s heritage. Meet experts and browse finds, enjoy children’s activities and re-enactments, talks, tours and so much more including food stands and Tiptree cream tea boxes.

A programme of lectures and activities taking place throughout the day, including workshops with a children’s author, are now live to book!

But there is so much more to do for all the family. Enjoy the re-enactments, browse the exhibitors stands and finds and pick up their activity sheets. Watch the bird of prey displays. and be tempted by the food stalls!

Don't worry if the weather is looking changeable. Many of the exhibitors will be under cover in the historic wheat and barley barns so you can enjoy the event whatever the weather. Food stalls and sessions such as Eden Falconry will be outside. Bring your own picnic and a blanket or take advantage of the picnic benches scattered around the atmospheric site.

Exhibitors confirmed. Meet in alphabetical order:

• Braintree District Museum Trust - view their dig boxes and pick up a printed activity
• Burnham u3a Archaeological Group – sharing information about a current excavation
• Colchester Archaeological Trust – see their life-sized replica Roman chariot!
• Colchester Roman Society – meet Imperial Romans at the living history display, re-enactments and more
• Cotswold Archaeology - handle finds and pick up craft sheets
• Eden Falconry – view beautiful birds on stands throughout the day plus two flying displays (times to be announced)
• Essex County Council Place Services and Heritage Services
• Essex Gardens Trust – find out more about the gardens of Essex
• Essex Historic Buildings Group – browse the second hand books
• Essex Industrial Archaeology Group, Essex Record Office and Essex Society for Archaeology and History
• Essex Society for Family History – find out how to research your family history
• Frinton & Walton Heritage Trust – uncover more about local geology and fossils
• GeoEssex/Essex Rock & Mineral Society – explaining the origin and variety of flint and more on Essex geology
• Harlow Museum – discover quizzes and games, and handle objects from the displays
• Maldon Archaeological and Historical Group – metal detecting in the sand pit for children*
• Museum of Chelmsford - enjoy a display of the museum's archaeology collection and craft activity
• Oxford Archaeology East – family-friendly interactive displays of artefacts from sites excavated in Essex
• Portable Antiquities Scheme – learn how to identify finds and what to do if you find treasure
• Rayleigh Town Museum & Rochford District Council Tourism - discover the history of the mount and view original timbers from the castle!
• Rayne Heritage – explore Rayne Heritage Trail
• Saffron Walden Museum – enjoy the excavation tray and display
• Southend Museums – view objects from collections and archaeology sandbox
• Tiptree Tea Rooms – history of the Tiptree factory and cream tea boxes available to purchase
• The Companye of Merrie Folke – meet the medieval re-enactment group in the restored Tudor walled garden with displays of weaving, old medicine and cooking
• The Friends of Bradford Street - browse books and Christmas cards!
• UCL Archaeology South-East – try on a suit of Roman armour, view artefacts and reconstruct an animal skeleton!
• Wardell Armstrong/SLR Consulting – amazing artefacts and reproductions
• West Essex Archaeology Group - handle the Roman pottery collection and craft activities

*weather dependent

Read more about Cressing Temple Barns and plan your visit.