Top Ten Things To Do In Essex This Weekend
From Paddington Bear in Harlow to big screen classics in iconic settings, it's our pick of the weekend's must-do things in Essex!
10. Visit Essex Touring Film Festival - 8th-14th August
See big screen classics like Casablanca and Blade Runner, recent blockbusters including Avengers: Age of Ultron and Jurassic World, plus family favourite the Minions and the documentary Amy in iconic Essex venues
World War One drama – Aces High - about pilots duelling in the skies over the Western Front will be screened in a hangar at Stow Maries Aerodrome – the world’s last-remaining Great War airfield.
Hedingham Castle’s famous Norman keep will become a huge screen showing excerpts from Henry V, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Elizabeth and more. The beautiful grounds and gardens will also provide a setting for Paddington and Casablanca.
The other venues are Cressing Temple Barns, near Braintree and Promenade Park in Maldon. More details here.
9. KidsFest At Marsh Farm Animal Adventure Park
Taking place on Sunday 9th August and billed as 'Glastonbury for Kids' Kids Fest combines a funfair, main stage and loads of the biggest children’s TV characters including Mr Bloom and Shaun The Sheep! An inflatable village, fun and games and walkabout entertainers complete a day of fun. Find out more here.
8. Annie at the Cliffs Pavilion, Southend
It's your final chance to catch Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood starring as the the tyrannical Miss Hannigan in the world's favourite family musical Annie. There are performances at 7.30pm on Friday and two shows on Saturday 8th August, at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. Book tickets online here.
7. Pongo's Party at the Princes Theatre, Clacton
You are invited to Marty Macdonald's Farm for Pongo's Party! with CBeebies’ Justin Fletcher and Nicole Davis as the voices of Pongo the Pig and Molly-Moo the Cow! With a colourful farmyard and host of loveable puppet characters, Pongo’s Party is a family show particularly suitable for ages 3–7. There is one performance at 2.30pm on Sunday 9th August - book tickets here.
6. James and the Giant Peach at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester
Roald Dahl's evergreen favourite James and the Giant Peach rolls into the Mercury Theatre for a three-week run starting this weekend. After James spills a bag of magic on an old peach tree, he watches in amazement as the tree grows a peach so humongous it’s almost as big as a house! Inside this magical peach James meets the best (and most unusual!) friends a boy could have – five larger than life garden bugs! Previews take place on 7th and 8th August ahead of the full run - more details here.
5. Life Above and Below Stairs
Put on your apron and get your riding crop at the ready and visit Audley End House and Gardens as it's brought to life this weekend. Come face to face with Mrs Crocombe as she prepares a meal for the family, bump into the stable-hand while they're grooming the horses, and meet Governess Miss Dormer and other Members of staff as they organise the children for the day. Costumed characters will bring Audley End back to its Victorian heyday every weekend. More details here.
4. BYC McCarthy Trophy- Race to Blackwater at Benfleet Yacht Club
Taking place on Saturday 8th August, this informal race will see twelve yackts set off from Leigh buoy at 8.20am with the event continuing until about 6pm finishing opposite Bateman's Tower at Brightlingsea. Find out more here.
3. Fake Festival at Garon Park, Southend
Enjoy live music from tributes to Bon Jovi, Stone Roses and Coldplay along with five of Southend's finest local support bands on Saturday 8th August. Alongside the live music there will be an outside 'Entertainment Zone' for kids, food traders and licensed bar. Tickets and more information here.
2. Peppa Pig at the Epping Ongar Railway
On both Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th August, Peppa Pig will be making personal appearances at intervals throughout the day. Plus other fun activities for children! Find out more here.
1. Paddington Bear at the Water Gardens, Harlow
On Saturday 8th August Peru's favourite bear will be paying Harlow a visit. Catch him at the Water Gardens between 11am and 4pm, along lots of free family entertainment including face painting from the Heart Angels, a bouncy castle and Punch and Judy Shows.
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