Festival of Essex Archaeology and Heritage 2026

The Festival of Essex Archaeology and Heritage returns for a second year following huge success - save the date now!

A fantastic free and family-friendly 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.

So much to do for all the family. Enjoy re-enactments, browse the exhibitors stands, finds and activities. 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.

Bookable talks coming soon.

Exhibitors confirmed:

1. Braintree District Museum Trust - Collection objects, dig boxes and printed children's activities
2. Bulmer Brick and Tile Company - Display and handling of clay and traditional brickmaking tools
3. Burnham u3a Archaeological Group - Display of finds from their previous and ongoing excavations
4. Colchester Archaeological Group - Display of excavations and geophysics, artefact handling, identifying paw prints in ceramics, providing a talk.
5. Colchester Archaeological Trust & Roman Circus Visitor Centre - Sensory table, model of only known Roman circus in Britain, artefacts found in Colchester, games and puzzles, providing a talk.
6. Colchester Roman Society - Roman living history display, reenactment (same as last year)
7. Cotswold Archaeology - Mini burial chamber and metal detecting simulation, handling collection
8. Eden Falconry - Static display of birds and 2 flying displays throughout the day
9. Essex Country Parks - summer trail
10. Essex Gardens Trust - Display of their work in conservation and the history of parks, gardens and designed landscapes
11. Essex Heritage Trust - Display of work they have supported to preserve and restore local heritage sites
12. Essex Historic Buildings Group - Display of traditional carpentry joints, book sales, providing talks.
13. Essex Industrial Archaeology Group - Display of Essex's industrial history, including mills, factories, air raid shelters etc.
14. Essex Library Service - Children's activities, library membership sign-ups, history books for adults and children, storytelling sessions.
15. Essex Mills
16. Essex Record Office - Badge making and crafts, display of facsimile documents, providing a talk.
17. Essex Society for Archaeology & History - Display of research and publications by the society since its foundation in 1852
18. Essex Society for Family History - Discover family history from Essex and worldwide, heraldry designs, decipher old handwriting, Tudor game of life
19. Farm Machinery Preservation Society - Display of tractors and stationary engines
20. Fordham Local History Society - Display of excavations they have done
21. Friends of Cressing Temple - Display and promotional material. (Potentially site tours like last year?)
22. Frinton & Walton Heritage Trust (potentially also Harwich Museum) - Fossil collection, learn about local geology, brass rubbing, providing a talk.
23. GeoEssex - Ice Age geology display and handling, handing out trail guides, providing a talk.
24. Halstead & District Local History Society - Display of artefacts and pictures of Halstead history
25. Harlow Museum & Walled Gardens - Artefact handling, quizzes, colouring
26. Maldon Archaeological and Historical Group - Metal detecting in sandbox, display of excavations
27. Manningtree Museum & Local History Group - Stickers and display boards about Manningtree (potentially bringing old telephone for playing with?)
28. Museum of Chelmsford - Launch of Timeless Treasures exhibition about Great Baddow gold hoard, crafts, coin making
29. Oxford Archaeology East - Interactive map, microscope activity, puzzles, information about sites they've excavated in Essex, providing a talk
30. Place Services - Learn about our traditional building skills courses, build timber-framed models, search the archaeology in your area using the Historic Environment Record
31. Portable Antiquities Scheme (Colchester and Ipswich Museums) - Finds handling, educating people on their responsibilities regarding found treasure, identifying finds
32. Prof James Punch and Judy - 4 shows throughout the day
33. Rochford District Council/Rayleigh Town Museum/National Trust/Battlefields Trust - Unspecified activities for young people, providing a talk.
34. Saffron Walden Museum - Archaeology finds boxes, promoting Young Archaeologists Club
35. Silver End Heritage Society - Display celebrating Silver End's centenary year, providing a talk.
36. SLR Consulting - Display of pictures and artefacts relating to work they have completed in Essex
37. Southend Museums - Sandbox and brushes, interactive displays, providing a talk.
38. The Companye of Merrie Folke - Tudor reenactment - cunning man, barber, surgeon, wise woman, spoon maker, carpenter, builder (same as last year)
39. The Templar Heritage Trust - Display about the medieval Knights Templar and the modern charity's work
40. UCL Archaeology South-East - Trying on Roman armour, artefacts display, providing a talk (potentially sand pit excavation)
41. West Essex Archaeology Group - Handling collection, display boards and artefacts from their excavations in Essex

Read more about Cressing Temple Barns and plan your visit.