Events for 11 January
Activities
Join us inside the Terrace Room of Hylands House to take part in this month’s family craft activity, where children can create their own 2026 calendar and write down (or draw!) their goals.
In the Library, explore our latest exhibition on the past owners of Hylands Estate and the local community.
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 is back in 2026 and will continue to serve up a mouth-watering array of street food and drinks, alongside gifts and crafts, from local vendors just outside Hylands House. Keep an eye on their social media closer to the time to see 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!
Hot Box Live provide the tunes in The Stables courtyard. Join them for live music from 11am.
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!
Parking & Getting Here
Please note that due to winter ground conditions, overflow parking will not be available from January to March, so we recommend planning your journey in advance. If the car parks closest to Hylands House are busy, the Writtle-side car park is available as an alternative and is around a 10-minute walk up to the House.
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.
