Historic Essex barns to host FREE family festival – here’s when

Medieval venue - Cressing Temple Barns date back to the 13th century. Inset: Essex Councillor Mark Durham. (Credit: Essex County Council and Witham Conservatives)

A FREE festival celebrating Essex’s “rich history” will be held at Cressing Temple Barns this summer, showcasing the county’s heritage and archaeology.

The family-friendly event is the first of its kind, featuring museum exhibits, medieval re-enactments and children’s activities.

Billed as the Festival of Essex Archaeology and Heritage, the event is being organised by Essex County Council’s Place Services department.

Visitors can enjoy expert talks during the one-day festival at the historic site in Witham Road, Cressing, on Thursday 24 July.

Mark Durham, Essex councillor responsible for the arts, heritage and culture, is confident the event will be a hit with families and history buffs alike.

He said: “We’re delighted to announce that the first ever festival celebrating the county’s archaeology and heritage will be held at the beautiful Cressing Temple Barns.

“The festival will be a fantastic family-friendly event showcasing our county’s rich history. It is sure to be a success with anyone who has an interest in archaeology.”

Impressive - the 13th century wheat barn is considered a "masterpiece" of Romanesque carpentry. (Credit: Essex County Council)

It will also feature artefacts from a dig on the site of Weald Hall, a former Tudor mansion at Weald Country Park.

Tim Murphy, historic environment manager at Place Services, said: “Our team is privileged to experience the diverse historic environment of Essex every day. This is why we decided to launch the first ever county archaeology and heritage festival.

“There are lots of fascinating historical assets in the county, and we want to celebrate and promote these to the public.

“We’d encourage anyone who has an interest in archaeology – along with any owners of listed buildings – to come and meet some of the Essex’s leading experts and those involved in discovering, preserving and presenting the best of the county’s heritage.”

Gifted to the Knights Templar in 1137, Cressing Temple’s Grade I-listed barley and wheat barns are among the oldest timber barns, and few surviving Templar buildings, in England.

Displays inside outline the history of the Templars and the site.

Among Cressing Temple's gardens, the Walled Garden is reconstructed as a Tudor pleasure garden, one of few in the country.

For more information about the Festival of Essex Archaeology and Heritage and Cressing Temple Barns, visit: explore-essex.com/whats-on/festival-of-essex-archaeology