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Free entry to Colchester's Roman Circus Visitor Centre. Learn about the architecture, archaeological remains and history of Britain's only known Roman chariot-racing track.

A privately owned Postal History Museum in the heart of East Anglia. Hands-on history for everything post and telephone related! New larger premises for 2026!

Colchester possesses one of the finest and most imposing town halls in England which reveals in its architecture the history of Britain's newest city.

Explore this beautiful Grade 2* listed church and discover the everyday histories of people commemorated in the building and churchyard. Enjoy floral displays to celebrate those who have lived, worked and contributed to the life of the town

Explore Colchester's first Public Library opened in 1894. Then venture into the former law courts and prison cells.

See Harlow's oldest building. A Norman chapel built in 1180 in the grounds of Harlowbury Manor. On the site of an earlier saxon building.

St Mary's is a largely mid-Victorian church in the heart of the picturesque riverside town of Wivenhoe. The church was recently refurbished and extended to enable it to function as a community space in the 21st century.

Talks aboard Steam Tug Brent; and on hidden histories of the heritage harbour at Maldon Little Ship Club. Activities for young people on the quayside.

You are invited to come along to a church tower near Colchester to see a demonstration of ringing, meet our ringers, and maybe have a go yourself in a safe, friendly environment.

St Helen's is a medieval chapel in the heart of Colchester's historic Dutch Quarter.

St Martin's is a medieval church with an impressive 14th century roof, wall paintings and a Norman tower damaged in the 1648 Siege of Colchester.

Hollytrees is the best 18th-century house in Colchester and has been a museum since 1929.

St James the Less and St Helen's was completed in 1837. It is a good example of a relatively early Roman Catholic church in England by one of the leading Roman Catholic architects of the day.

A much loved museum in the picturesque Castle Park, this is the annual opportunity to explore this fascinating building free of charge.

Dust off your singing voice, gather your friends and prepare for an evening of live music, laughter and enthusiastic community singing. Inspired by the Last Night of the Proms...but with rather more Pimm’s!

EIAG (Essex Industrial Archaeology Group) is introducing the theme of Industrial Housing which can be found in a number of towns and villages in Essex. The event will include a range of organisation stands together with walks and talks on the topic.

Guided Tours, Presentations and Real Life 19th Century Millers!

This garden is the secret garden of Maldon, hidden away behind the High Street. High brick walls and a black gate, the garden is set out with box hedges, gravel paths, old trees, looks pretty in the summer with planted borders, run by volunteers.

Discover the fascinating world of bell ringing at St. Nicholas Church in Elmdon as part of Heritage Open Days. Visitors can try their hand on a specially acquired mini ring, watch demonstrations and take a tour up to the ringing chamber.

St Leonard's was the parish church for the port area of Colchester known as the Hythe. It dates back to the 14th century but was heavily restored by the Victorians.

Join the team of Earls Colne Heritage Museum for a Pop-up Display and Free Walking Tour 'Industrial Housing for Hunt's Atlas Workers' led by John Stedman. Starting at the Quaker Meeting House built in 1733.

A rare opportunity to hear and play the remarkable organ in Colchester Town Hall which provides music for the town's annual Oyster Feast and other civic events.

The annual exhibition of historic photographs of the town of Wivenhoe in north-east Essex.

A rare opportunity to explore the remarkable late Victorian School, built in 1898 by architects Goodey & Cressall.

The 16th-century burial chapel of the Audley family, with a fine hammer-beam roof and unique monuments and features. Knowledgeable guides will be on hand to answer questions.

The Roman Barrow Mound is an excavated burial chamber, the contents of which are in Mersea Museum. They are the cremated remains of a male contained in a glass Roman cremation urn, found with a lead casket. It was excavated in 1912.

Discover this lovely church part of the Heritage Harbour of Maldon & Heybridge and as part of Heritage Open Day.

Museum open free of charge for the weekend with some extra things to see and do. Railway running both days and 'Marshall' triple expansion steam engine running on compressed air on Sunday only.

A maritime institute and museum established in 1896 in memory of Capt. Charles G. Nottage and, since 1947, located in a former sail loft.

Originally a Norman church, St Giles has had many later additions including a wooden tower built in 1819. It was converted to its present use as a masonic centre in 1972-76.

St James the Great is a beautiful Grade II* listed Anglo-Catholic church situated in an imposing position. It is a house of worship and of historical, architectural and artistic interest being a repository of Colchester's heritage.

A guided walk from Colchester's Castle Park to the Hythe, Colchester's historic port area on the River Colne.

Colchester Cemetery is a beautiful and peaceful green space. This is a rare opportunity to explore its history with an expert guide.

This is one of two Roman theatres in Colchester, the other being at Gosbecks Archaeological Park also featuring in this year's programme. Going to see a play was a popular leisure activity in the Roman world.

This is a rare opportunity to explore the Special Collections at the University of Essex. Located in the Albert Sloman Library, this fascinating archive offers a glimpse into lives, movements and ideas that reflect Colchester, Essex and the world.

Colchester's Mercury Theatre reopened in 2021 following a major redevelopment. The theatre takes its name from the Roman messenger god Mercury whose statute was found at Gosbecks, just outside Colchester, in the 1940s.

Cuckoo Farm Studios was established over thirty years ago when a small group of artists moved in and began to turn this derelict farm into a suitable venue in which to work. Today it is the home of more than thirty artists.

Visit Jaywick Martello Tower for FREE this Heritage Open weekend!

The opportunity to visit this unique Roman Catholic church in Harlow. Designed in 1953/54 by Gerard Goalen, who had been recommended by Frederick Gibberd. Windows created at Buckfast Abbey by Dom Charles Norris using the dalle de verre technique

Discover this impressive Napoleonic Fort.

Discover this Local Lifeboat museum this Heritage Open Days.

Maldon’s St Giles ruins reveal centuries of "working lives," transitioning from a medieval leper hospital focused on therapeutic gardening to a post-Dissolution agricultural farm building.

This behind the scenes tour offers you the chance to step into the role of weaver, designer, block-printer, sales representative and interior decorator to understand the process of initial design idea through to finished textile.

Explore Parndon Mill inside and out, discovering traces of it's more than 125 years of working life.

New for 2026. Royal Observer Corps post, ww2 camera of the type carried on aircraft to record mission effects. New artefact additions to B26 Aircraft collection.

St Mary-at-the-Walls has a rich history, both as a church and, more recently, as the Colchester Arts Centre. Refurbished in 2021, it boasts amazing mosaic toilets, which are not to be missed, as well as stunning views from the top of its tower.

A guided walk around the oldest and most complete town wall in Britain. It was built in response to Boudica's attack on Colchester in AD 60 and over two-thirds still remain.

The Temple-Cox Museum & Library is an archive that has been several decades in the making. Part collection of objects and reference books, part immersive installation.

A guided walk around this remarkable archaeological site which features prominently in the story of Iron Age and Roman Colchester, and is associated with the visit of the Emperor Claudius to Britain in AD 43.

St John's Church was built in 1856 at the time of the Crimean War as the place of worship for Colchester military garrison. Its design incorporates timber-framing, weatherboarding and exposed cast-iron brackets supporting iron trusses.