Visit Waltham Abbey

01/06/2026

We had a great launch day for the 2026 Art Trail on Saturday. The opening took place in the beautiful garden of the EFD Museum in Sun Street, where we did manage to find a little bit of shade.
We were delighted to welcome both Waltham Abbey's Mayor, Cllr Andrew Crowley, and Deputy Mayor, Cllr Jeane Lea. In his speech, the Mayor commented on the huge number of greatly talented artists in the area, before declaring the Art Trail open.
Then we took to the Trail and managed to visit almost all of the venues - shops, offices, cafes, pubs - hosting pieces of art. And what a display it is; each year the standard of work seems to get even better, and there are some amazing entries.
There are paintings, drawings, digital illustrations, lino cuts, ceramics, paper sculpture, needlework and photographs.
The photography exhibition has some wonderful shots covering a wide variety of subjects, and they are all together at Kings Group Estate Agents.
Then in Waltham Abbey Library you can see the Young People's Art Exhibition with work by three age groups, ranging from 7 to 16.
It was hot and exhausting work visiting all those places on Saturday meaning we had to have a couple of refreshment stops. Many thanks to Andrew and Jeane for staying with us, and to all the others who walked the Trail on Saturday.
Photo: Mayor Andrew declares the Art Trail open (photo courtesy of Nicola Nokes)

31/05/2026

Here's something that might be of interest to those who are King Harold supporters. Our wonderful museum at Waltham Abbey is hosting an Illuminated manuscript course on 22nd August, and the subject will be The Last Saxon King.

01/05/2026

This is a press report about the Holy Cross Day event some years ago. We can't promise a film show this year, but it will still be a great day tomorrow.

01/05/2026

29/04/2026

It's Holy Cross Day at Waltham Abbey this Saturday, 2nd May. Lots going on at the Abbey Church, the EFD Museum in Sun Street, and of course the re-enactment of the bringing of the Miraculous Holy Cross of Waltham from Somerset to Waltham in 1035.

Waltham Abbey Scouts will carry the replica cross, so we shall gather outside their HQ at Elphwood in the Cornmill car park., and leave at 12.30 to walk through the town centre, ending at about 1pm in the Abbey Churchyard, near the King Harold Memorial where the cross will be installed and a ceremony will take place.

66 people left Montacute back in 1035 to accompany the Holy Cross on its journey. We need at least as many as that for our much shorter journey so do come and join us. You can be a Saxon or a Viking. Wear something Red to be a Viking or something Blue to be a Saxon, doesn't matter what, just a scarf would do!

Here's the general programme for the day.

27/04/2026

HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE HUGUENOT ANCESTORS?
On Friday 15th May our Speaker ROSEMARY HAYES will be talking of the struggles the Huguenots had against French King Louis XIV in the 17th century. Rosemary has also written a book called The Kings Command, an historical novel set in France and England and is very loosely based on the experiences of her Huguenot ancestors

24/12/2025

Thank you to all our followers for your support during the year. We wish you a very happy Christmas and all the best for 2026.