Join us for what will be a magical day of author events (for the young and the young at heart), dragons, fairies, storytelling, live music and theatre, den-building and foraging walk.

Everyone needs a dose of magic in their lives. We’ve got lashings of it laid on at Cressing Temple Barns this Midsummer Weekend…

Date and time: Saturday 25th June, 10.30am – 4.00pm

Venue: Cressing Temple Barns, Witham Road, Cressing, Braintree CM77 8PD

Tickets: Ticketed events listed below. All other activities are free and drop-in, no booking required

Ticketed events – book early to avoid disappointment

Beatrix Potter: Drawn to Nature – Annemarie Bilclough will give a tantalising glimpse into the life of this extraordinary woman

The Fairy Tellers – Award-winning travel writer, Nicholas Jubber, explores the secret history of fairy tales

Imaginary Landscapes – Poetry and Harp with Chris Turton and Anne Denholm

Edward Carey – Hear from the acclaimed author of Little and The Swallowed Man as he discusses his latest book, B: A Year in Plagues and Pencils – This event has been cancelled, sorry

Foraging walk with Lora Aziz – Join herbal artist and author Lora Aziz on a guided walk around Cressing Temple Barns grounds

A read through of the The Time of the Rumour, a play about the peasants revolt, by Poppy Corbett.

Children’s Workshops

Believe with Angie Bailey – short author talk and reading, Q&A and colouring competition, for ages 6+

What! A Load of Rubbish – a new comedy magic show from Theatre Lark for family audiences, ages 4+. Free but booking essential.

The Honeybee Treasure Hunt with Emma Beswetherick – author of Playdate Adventures hosts this fun interactive session for children to learn about honeybees and design your own bug hotel, for ages 5-8 – This workshop has been cancelled, sorry for any inconvenience caused

What Makes a Hero? with Ruth E Loten – Create your own ‘hero’ character and start your own story, for ages 8-12 – This workshop has been cancelled, sorry for any inconvenience caused

Free Drop-in Activities

Essex Libraries Mobile Book Bus

Fairy door trail in the Walled Garden

Storytelling in the Walled Garden with East Anglian Storytelling Festival

Create a gratitude jar with wellbeing charity Heads2Minds

Jellyfish-making, sunflower planting, nature journals and fairy dioramas

Bookbinding Demonstration by Tied Fates

More details to follow – Watch this space!