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Hylands Estate Open Day


Join us for our Open Estate Days every second Sunday of the month from 10am to 3pm!

Hylands Estate is fully open for you to explore and enjoy at your leisure. Discover more about the history of Hylands House at the monthly exhibition in the library and guided tours.

Enjoy a delicious street food market just outside the house. There will also be handmade gifts and freshly baked goods for sale from local traders.

The Artist Studios in The Stables are open for you to browse, with its vibrant community of artists, designers and makers. Stay and enjoy the live music programme in the courtyard provided by Hot Box Live.

See the events for this month’s Open Estate Day.

Upcoming dates for 2025

Starting in 2025, our Open Estate Days will be on the second Sunday of every month.

12 October
9 November
14 December

A bustling market taking place outside of Hylands House.

The Market

Each month, Essex Foodies Market brings a fantastic selection of food, drink, and craft traders to Open Estate Day, offering a variety of delicious treats and unique handmade goods. Located outside Hylands House, the market is the perfect place to explore local flavours and artisan creations. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome to join you as you browse.

Interested in Trading?

If you’d like to be part of the market, please email Essex Foodies on info@essexfoodiesmarket.co.uk with as many details about your business as possible. Please note that due to the high volume of applications they receive, they may only respond to successful applicants.

Hylands Open House

Hylands House opens its doors free of charge to reveal the secrets behind its history, with an rotating monthly exhibition displayed in the library. Browse the house at your own leisure throughout the day, or join us for one of our guided tours.

Take a walk through the gardens of the Estate and learn even more about the history with our new multimedia tour. You can borrow a handset from The Stables Information Point or use your own smart phone.

The Stables & Artists Studios

The Stables, which is home to a vibrant community of artists, designers and makers, will be open to explore. Take a walk through the downstairs and upstairs studios and meet our resident creatives. Discover unique handmade pieces available to purchase, or get creative yourself and book one of our experiences or workshops.

Relax with a cup of coffee from The Deli in the courtyard and enjoy live music throughout the day. Our live music programme at The Stables is provided via a Grassroots Music grant from Arts Council England.

Events for 12 October

Activities

Step inside Hylands House and take part in this month’s family craft activity, where children can design their own family tree. But since it’s October, let’s make it a pumpkin patch!

In the Library, explore our latest exhibition on the families who once lived at Hylands, which gives a fascinating glimpse into the history of the estate and those who called it home.

Our volunteer-led guided tours last around 45 minutes and will be running at 10.30am and 1pm, perfect for those who’d like to hear more about the house as they explore.

Younger visitors won’t want to miss storyteller Mike Dodsworth, who’ll be sharing his much-loved tales in the Drawing Room at 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm and 2pm. Each session runs about 20 minutes.

Food & Craft Market

Essex Foodies Market returns this month, bringing together local traders offering a fantastic mix of food, drink, and seasonal gifts. With autumn in the air, expect some flavours to match. Think hearty bakes, artisan treats, and warming drinks alongside handmade crafts, unique items and Halloween surprises.

Keep an eye on their Instagram for updates on this month’s traders.

The Stables

Our resident artists throw open their studio doors and welcome you to see into their working spaces – explore upstairs as well as downstairs!

Browse items #MadeAtHylands in the Artist Shop and uncover treasures in the Friends of Hylands House second-hand bookshop.

Visit the Stables Information Point and pick up your handset to explore the Pleasure Gardens in a brand-new way! Our Hylands History & Gardens multimedia tour will be available for you to hire or scan the QR code and listen along with our new tour about the Estate and how it came to be.

Our popular café The Deli will be open at The Stables all day!

Due to the weather this month, there will be no live music.

Parking & Getting Here

During our Open Estate Days, parking charges are in effect. If you are a Chelmsford resident, you qualify for a discount on these charges. We recommend downloading the MiPermit app for faster and more convenient payment. Find out more and how to register as a resident here.

We expect the day to be very busy, so if you are able, please consider alternative ways of travelling here. View our sustainable routes leaflet for more information.

An aerial view of Hylands House with a market out front.
People enjoying the courtyard area of The Stables.