Visit Waltham Abbey

14/04/2025

The tourism season gets under way in Waltham Abbey on Saturday 19th April when the first Historic Guided tour of the year takes place. Experienced guide Jonathan Hyde will be leading the tour and telling you all about the town’s very rich heritage.
It starts from the Tourist Information Centre, Town Hall side entrance, EN9 1DG, at 11am and lasts about an hour and a half. You can just turn up on the day, or reserve your place in advance by calling 01992 660336 or emailing [email protected]
The price of the tour has not increased. Still £5 per adult which includes a Visitor pack and a hot drink and biscuits; £2 for ages 8 to 16; children under 8 free of charge.

23/03/2025

On this day, 23rd March, in 1540 the Great Abbey of Waltham was dissolved when it was surrendered to King Henry VIII. It was the last abbey in the country to be abolished during the English Reformation, and legend has it that Henry left it until last because he had spent much time there and it was his favourite.

Apt then that on Friday the Waltham Abbey Historical Society had a talk by Grenville Weltch on his newly published book Waltham Abbey Church Essex in the 19th Century and that today it was Waltham Abbey’s annual Civic Service - as it says on the order of service “attended in civic state by the Mayor of Waltham Abbey”.

14/03/2025

17/02/2025

👞👠Let’s take a walk around the Museum, where we will be looking at a few of our displays, features and objects! 👞👠

This week, we’re putting the spotlight on some hand drawn playing cards🃏, found in the partition wall of 39 Sun Street. They date from between 1650- 1750. Along with the cards, some hair combs, scissors and small toys were found.

05/01/2025

On this day in 1066 King Edward the Confessor died. His funeral was held in his West Minster church, which eventually became Westminster Abbey. It had been consecrated a few days before, 28th December.
Earl Harold Godwinson had also built a splendid church, his Minster at Waltham, but his was finished earlier being consecrated on 3rd May 1060.
That was a magnificent occasion with King Edward and his Queen present. Not only was Harold the King’s chief adviser and indeed military commander, he was also his brother-in-law as Queen Edith was Harold’s sister. Here’s what the Waltham Chronicle says about the consecration:-
“When he had built the church, and had it constructed of the finest fabric by masons who were enthusiastic and hard-working, he made immediate arrangement for its dedication. To this marriage of Christ and His church he invited King Edward himself of holy memory, and his sister the queen, as well as leading men from the whole of England: first Cynesige, archbishop of York, because at that time the see of Canterbury was vacant; then the other bishops of both provinces .............. There were also the abbots ............ the earls AElfgar, Tostig, Leofwine, and Gyrth; ..........
“These men, who had been selected and invited with careful discretion, he kept with him for eight days in all, though some of them disliked him out of envy or from personal malice because he had no equal in the land. But they enjoyed all the glory and the abundance of all the gifts, and the choicest food and drink: indeed, I have certainly heard it from some who themselves learned it from their fathers who were present, that great bowls full of wine and mead were placed at crossroads so that any travellers who wished could take their fill.”
Despite being rebuilt and enlarged several times, and most of the Great Abbey being demolished during the dissolution of the monasteries, there are still a few traces of Harold’s church in the present building. Here is some Anglo-Saxon masonry, herring bone stones, which you can find if you explore the outside of the Abbey Church.

08/12/2024

And we complain about buses today. Here's an accident where an Epping Town bus has overturned, dated 1915.

26/10/2024

Happy Essex Day and St Cedd's Day to all friends in Essex, North, South, East and West. By the way, it's not all flat, not all industrial, not all suburban - that's just a myth. We have a wonderful coastline, beautiful villages and open scenery and lots and lots of history.

26/10/2024

The rich history of our town is amazing. Come and see all the wonderful places we have to offer. Yes, we are King Harold's town, but so many kings and queens have links to Waltham Abbey. And we have the Royal Gunpowder Mills too where you can learn so much from gunpowder to rockets and enjoy stunning scenery and wildlife. Speaking of which, we have Epping Forest itself, where the trees are now in the colours of autumn. Come and see us this autumn.

This Essex Day, Saturday 26th October, we’re joining Visit Essex in celebrating the ! Essex Day is also known as St Cedd’s Day, the Patron Saint of Essex.

St Cedd was an Anglo-Saxon monk and bishop who converted the East Saxons to Christianity in the 7th century. The beautiful Epping Forest District of Essex is filled with iconic Anglo-Saxon heritage, including Greensted Church in , the oldest wooden church in the world, Church, built in the 7th century by King Saeberht of Essex and the final resting place of King Harold II and “King Harold’s Battle Axe” on display at Epping Forest District Museum!

What are your Epping Forest District ?

Epping Forest District Council Visit Essex Explore Essex Visit Waltham Abbey Ongar Town Council

25/10/2024

Next week we're celebrating with a special talk by Archaeologist Wayne Perkins titled ‘Protection from the Dark; Witches, Spirits and Ghosts.’

Using examples from our very own museum collection and building, including burn marks, a children’s shoe and a mummified cat, Wayne will be discussing ways people in the past sought to ward off evil spirits with objects, rituals and charms.

Wednesday 30 October, 7-8pm. £5.00 per person. To book, contact 01992 716882, email [email protected] or speak to a member of our Front of House team.

We’re sure you’ll have a meowgical night (see what we did there)! 🐈‍⬛😺👻

Ritual Protection Marks & Ritual Practices Waltham Abbey Historical Society Waltham Abbey Town Council

19/10/2024

Join us Wednesday 23 October, 7-8pm for a talk by Prof of Medieval History at the University of East Anglia (UEA), Tom Licence, on ‘Harold and Hastings: Fact and Fiction’.

Learn about the Life and Legend of ’s very own King Harold II and see if we can disentangle myth from fact. Don’t miss what is bound to be a fascinating talk, the last event in 2024's King Harold Festival.

To book please contact 01992 716882, email [email protected] or speak to a member of the Front of House Team. Refreshments served.

Available time after the talk to see the museum's new display of "King Harold's Battle Axe".

The King Harold Festival at Waltham Abbey Waltham Abbey Historical Society Waltham Abbey Town Council Nazeing History Nazeing Parish Council Epping Forest District Council University of East Anglia (UEA)