Leisure

Support - A walking group is bringing Halstead mums together, creating friendships and a space to share the ups and downs of motherhood

Halstead mums find friendship through growing walking group

Unveiled - (L-R) Councillor Jim Bond, Tom Littelwood, councillor Richard Van Dulken

Unveiled - (L-R) Councillor Jim Bond, Tom Littelwood, councillor Richard Van Dulken

New tennis and pickleball facility unveiled at sports ground

Surprise - A 22-person concert orchestra surprised the guests by opening the event

Surprise - A 22-person concert orchestra surprised the guests by opening the event

Film festival at Empire Theatre raised thousands for town dementia project

Halstead - A micro pub is raising a glass to continued success after being named runner-up for a prestigious local award

Halstead - A micro pub is raising a glass to continued success after being named runner-up for a prestigious local award

Micro pub named runner up for prestigious award for fourth year running

Review - I visited Torsbeanie Cafe in Halstead for a breakfast dish - here's why it was so great

Review - I visited Torsbeanie Cafe in Halstead for a breakfast dish - here's why it was so great

Hidden gem cafe stands out for its fresh food and community feel

Exciting - The Wheatsheaf pub in Castle Hedingham is expected to relaunch under new management in July, as it continues to undergo a huge refurb

Exciting - The Wheatsheaf pub in Castle Hedingham is expected to relaunch under new management in July, as it continues to undergo a huge refurb

Village pub set for summer relaunch after full refurbishment

Essex - Slimming World members have turned their weight-loss success into an £8,750 boost for Cancer Research UK through a community clothes donation drive

Essex - Slimming World members have turned their weight-loss success into an £8,750 boost for Cancer Research UK through a community clothes donation drive

Slimming World groups team up to raise £8,750 for cancer research

Sport - Courtauld Halstead Bowls Club will host open days on May 23 and 24, running from 10am to 4pm at the Courtauld Sports Ground on Colchester Road

Sport - Courtauld Halstead Bowls Club will host open days on May 23 and 24, running from 10am to 4pm at the Courtauld Sports Ground on Colchester Road

Open weekend offers free chance to try new sport

Earls Colne - Stane Street Players, the group behind the production, has been a fixture of the local arts scene since 1975

Earls Colne - Stane Street Players, the group behind the production, has been a fixture of the local arts scene since 1975

Comedy show to bring laughter to village as drama group prepares for the stage

Monster Truck Motorfest heads to Essex this weekend: live stunt action and family fun

A three-day sculpture and wine festival is heading to Halstead

A three-day sculpture and wine festival is heading to Halstead

Toppesfield Vineyard announces artists for three-day sculpture and wine festival

Delicious - The dish came with scrambled tofu, avocado, roasted sweet potatoes in garlic and parsley, spinach, mushrooms, hash browns, baked beans and a toasted bagel with vegan cream cheese, as well as cherry tomatoes

Delicious - The dish came with scrambled tofu, avocado, roasted sweet potatoes in garlic and parsley, spinach, mushrooms, hash browns, baked beans and a toasted bagel with vegan cream cheese, as well as cherry tomatoes

'Delightfully different' brunch with tofu served at friendly vegan deli

Fun - Party on the pitch is set to take place at Halstead Town Football Club in Rosemary Lane on May 24, offering a full day of entertainment from 2pm to 10pm

Fun - Party on the pitch is set to take place at Halstead Town Football Club in Rosemary Lane on May 24, offering a full day of entertainment from 2pm to 10pm

Popular summer event revived with 'fresh identity' and expanded entertainment

Event - Freddie Penrose (fifth from left) created PantherFest in memory of his Colchester Institute Film Tutor, with the festival returning this May in Halstead

Event - Freddie Penrose (fifth from left) created PantherFest in memory of his Colchester Institute Film Tutor, with the festival returning this May in Halstead

Film festival in honour of tutor showing creative short films at Empire Theatre

Tasty - Martha's Tearoom in Greenstead Green is serving 'soft and buttery' scones as part of their perfect cream teas

Tasty - Martha's Tearoom in Greenstead Green is serving 'soft and buttery' scones as part of their perfect cream teas

Charming barn cafe is a must-visit for the 'perfect' cream tea

Halstead - The Empire Theatre in Butler Road will undergo an extension as plans for Halstead's Community Arts Centre continue to progress

Halstead - The Empire Theatre in Butler Road will undergo an extension as plans for Halstead's Community Arts Centre continue to progress

Empire Theatre extension confirmed as plans for community centre progress

Halstead - The Little Book Cafe offers delicious breakfasts and homemade cakes with second-hand books to peruse

Halstead - The Little Book Cafe offers delicious breakfasts and homemade cakes with second-hand books to peruse

Tiny hidden gem cafe lit by fairy lights serves fresh breakfast

Halstead - An empty pub is still for sale at £325,000 after being listed almost one year ago

Halstead - An empty pub is still for sale at £325,000 after being listed almost one year ago

Once popular pub remains for sale after being listed one year ago

New era - A new tenant is hoping to bring the Five Bells pub back to life

New era - A new tenant is hoping to bring the Five Bells pub back to life

New tenant hopes to bring popular Colne Engaine pub 'back to life'

Fun - Hedingham Castle hosted its first joust for 2026 on Easter Sunday

Fun - Hedingham Castle hosted its first joust for 2026 on Easter Sunday

In pictures: Hundreds attend Hedingham Castle for first joust of 2026

Free - An Easter crafts event will take place at Fox & Herb cafe on Saturday

Free - An Easter crafts event will take place at Fox & Herb cafe on Saturday

Halstead church group to lead free Easter crafts event at cafe on Saturday

Gutted - The Three Pigeon's annual Beer Fest has been cancelled for 2026

Gutted - The Three Pigeon's annual Beer Fest has been cancelled for 2026

Halstead pub 'gutted' after confirming cancellation of popular beer festival

Hedingham Castle, Halstead

Hedingham Castle, Halstead

Two Easter holiday events to take place at a Norman castle in Essex

Fun - Halstead council has launched a letter finding competition in celebration of Easter, with families in with the chance of winning an Easter egg

Fun - Halstead council has launched a letter finding competition in celebration of Easter, with families in with the chance of winning an Easter egg

Halstead families invited to take on letter finding comp with Easter egg prize

Hotspot - Paycocke's House & Garden in Essex is a great spot to watch cherry blossoms

Hotspot - Paycocke's House & Garden in Essex is a great spot to watch cherry blossoms

The Essex spot named among UK’s top cherry blossom destinations

Delicious - A chef is offering Michelin-quality food to the Earls Colne community after launching a pop-up restaurant inside a village cafe

Delicious - A chef is offering Michelin-quality food to the Earls Colne community after launching a pop-up restaurant inside a village cafe

Chef offers Michelin-quality food at new pop-up restaurant in Earls Colne

Pretty - With the sun making an appearance and spring just around the corner, we have compiled a list of the best walking routes in and around Halstead

Pretty - With the sun making an appearance and spring just around the corner, we have compiled a list of the best walking routes in and around Halstead

5 spring walks in and around Halstead to enjoy in the sunshine

Event - The Great British Roast Company is hosting Red Nose Day celebrations at The Dorrington Hotel, Halstead

Event - The Great British Roast Company is hosting Red Nose Day celebrations at The Dorrington Hotel, Halstead

Great British Roast Company to host Red Nose Day celebrations at Halstead hotel

Review: Here's what we thought of Halstead High Street's brand new cafe

Halstead - Ann and Frank Edney run a community bingo night at St Andrews Hall each week, seeing cash prizes up for grabs and free raffles

Halstead - Ann and Frank Edney run a community bingo night at St Andrews Hall each week, seeing cash prizes up for grabs and free raffles

Couple's weekly community bingo night off to a great start in Halstead

Hedingham Castle is holding a Wild Keep Weekend

Hedingham Castle is holding a Wild Keep Weekend

Hedingham Castle invites visitors to Wild Keep Weekend over bank holiday

The Knights of Middle England Joust is returning to Hedingham Castle

The Knights of Middle England Joust is returning to Hedingham Castle

Medieval jousting and owls by candlelight at Hedingham Castle this April

Nostalgia - Halstead town used to be home to an additional 18 pubs - here's some you may have forgotten

Nostalgia - Halstead town used to be home to an additional 18 pubs - here's some you may have forgotten

Listed: 18 forgotten pubs Halstead has said goodbye to

Dinosaur - Juliasaurus

Dinosaur - Juliasaurus

Cultural attractions

Newly discovered dinosaur to go on public display at Essex museum

Finchingfield is often referred to as one of the prettiest villages in Essex - have you visited?

Finchingfield is often referred to as one of the prettiest villages in Essex - have you visited?

Pretty Essex village home to famous TV chef that once had a visit from Walt Disney

Happy - Forget me not floristry in Halstead sold a whopping 350 red roses on Valentine's Day

Happy - Forget me not floristry in Halstead sold a whopping 350 red roses on Valentine's Day

Family-run florist in Halstead sells out of 350 red roses on Valentine's Day

Public - Halstead Community Connections will host a meeting at Queen's Hall on Monday, starting at 7pm, seeing members discuss new ideas for The Empire Theatre in Butler Road

Public - Halstead Community Connections will host a meeting at Queen's Hall on Monday, starting at 7pm, seeing members discuss new ideas for The Empire Theatre in Butler Road

Halstead community group to host meeting to discuss ideas for Empire Theatre

Exciting - Landlords of the Lamarsh Lion pub are looking for a new tenant to take on the business in Bures

Exciting - Landlords of the Lamarsh Lion pub are looking for a new tenant to take on the business in Bures

Essex pub landlords on the hunt for new tenants in 'exciting' move

Halstead - A baker has shared her thanks to the community following the success of a newly launched cake shed

Halstead - A baker has shared her thanks to the community following the success of a newly launched cake shed

Halstead baker thanks community after 'amazing' response to cake shed business

Holly Harris (left) and Tom Skinner (right) at The Shoulder of Mutton

Holly Harris (left) and Tom Skinner (right) at The Shoulder of Mutton

TV star stops at popular pub for Sunday afternoon roast with family and friends

Clubs and societies

Halstead Road Runners show strong results in marathons and XC league

A beloved brand providing delicious, sustainable seafood

Venues - A popular roast catering company is bringing is delicious food to diners in new venues

Venues - A popular roast catering company is bringing is delicious food to diners in new venues

Popular roast caterers bring BBQ and British fare to diners in new venues

Snowdrops at Hedingham Castle

Snowdrops at Hedingham Castle

Snowdrop Walks set to return to Hedingham Castle

Special - Mount Bures' community came together to spur on its farmers at the village's annual tractor run on Sunday

Special - Mount Bures' community came together to spur on its farmers at the village's annual tractor run on Sunday

Community comes together to spur on farmers at Mount Bures annual tractor run

Halstead - The town council has thanked businesses for their support following a successful Christmas lights switch on in November

Halstead - The town council has thanked businesses for their support following a successful Christmas lights switch on in November

Council thanks Halstead businesses after successful Christmas lights event

Professor Greenbottom teaching at Brightworths School of Magic

Professor Greenbottom teaching at Brightworths School of Magic

Brightworths School of Magic to return to Hedingham Castle for half-term

Halstead - The White Hart pub has temporarily closed its kitchen services due to staff annual leave

Halstead - The White Hart pub has temporarily closed its kitchen services due to staff annual leave

Popular Halstead pub closes kitchen until next month due to staff annual leave

The East Anglian Railway Museum is holding two Diesel Days and a winter beer festival in February

The East Anglian Railway Museum is holding two Diesel Days and a winter beer festival in February

Cultural attractions

East Anglian Railway Museum to host Diesel Days and winter beer festival

Halstead - We enjoyed a delicious and healthy lunch from Nature on the Go

Halstead - We enjoyed a delicious and healthy lunch from Nature on the Go

Review: Halstead's new plant-based deli delivers delicious food and great atmosphere

Halstead - Bamboo Essex has announced it will reopen this week after expecting to close for good on New Years Eve

Halstead - Bamboo Essex has announced it will reopen this week after expecting to close for good on New Years Eve

Halstead venue to reopen days after announcing permanent closure

Halstead's brand new Turkish restaurant delivers 'incredible' food and service

Fun - A round-up of three upcoming events at Hedingham Castle

Fun - A round-up of three upcoming events at Hedingham Castle

Round-up of three exciting events happening at Hedingham Castle in 2026

Halstead - Sark Meze Grill held its grand opening at the bottom of the High Street over the weekend

Halstead - Sark Meze Grill held its grand opening at the bottom of the High Street over the weekend

New Turkish restaurant holds grand opening in Halstead High Street