Get hands-on in the great outdoors this August.

Families of all ages looking for ways to be entertained during the holidays need look no further than Markshall Estate in Coggeshall, Essex.

The busy summer season of events kicks off with Wild Wednesdays running every week throughout August. The Markshall Estate team will be on hand to guide families of all ages through fun crafts and adventure play in the heart of The Wild Wood.

New for 2021, wildcrafting artists Wyrd Flora will be introducing visitors to wild food, plant medicine and herbal art with a series of Wild Walks and foraging workshops. From wild chocolate truffles to pine needle tea, these unique sessions are perfect for getting hands-on with the natural environment, and make a perfect gift experience. Join them to explore on Saturday 21st and Sunday 29th August.

Live music returns to the Estate with the Sunday Sessions, a series of free weekly gigs from local musicians in various locations around the Arboretum. Featuring singer-songwriters, folk, flute and jazz, there’s sure to be something for everyone.

Every Saturday in August adults and children of all ages can enjoy Family Yoga. Delivered by Little Warriors Yoga, these gentle, mindful, and relaxing sessions take place by our largest willow tree, surrounded by nature.

For adults looking for a mindful experience, our 90-minute Morning Yoga with Little Yoga Studio will reset and refocus, taking place in amongst the eucalyptus, Sunday’s 15th and 29th August.

Woods O Wisdom Bushcraft join the team on Sunday’s 15th and 22nd August to deliver our adult only Bushcraft Workshops. From learning how to craft shelters, carve wood, create natural cordage plus much more, expect muddy hands and a real sense of achievement at the end of the day!

Outdoor theatre makes a welcome return in August, with two performances from Immersion Theatre taking place in the Arboretum grounds – Romeo and Juliet on Friday 20th August, and The Jungle Book on Saturday 21st August.

Families can let their imaginations run wild in our hands-on play areas, The Wild Wood and the newly created Chestnut Chase. Made from wood from across the Estate children can jump over stepping stumps, build giant dens, and take a break on the wooden sofa in the outdoor living room.

With such a jam-packed summer programme of events, visitors will need a spot to relax! We’ve created the Summer Hub beside the Walled Garden, with picnic tables and hay bales to relax at while you enjoy light refreshments from our ice cream bike. As visitors make their way round the Arboretum, they can play our traditional Garden Games including quoits, giant Jenga and the Swedish game of Molkky. And the Buggy Shuttle Service will be running all summer, taking visitors to stops around the Arboretum for just £1.

Visitors can even take a piece of the Arboretum home with them with our new Spotify playlists. There’s one for every zone – Asia, Europe, Gondwanaland, North America, and the Walled Garden – specially curated by our team. Just scan the codes placed around the Arboretum and Spotify will provide the playlist for your visit.

If that’s not enough the Arboretum Team have been hard at work creating new paths and areas to explore, creatively mowing new areas previously inaccessible for most visitors. The Orchard Kitchen café will also be open all summer, serving hot and cold refreshments down at the Visitor Centre. Visitors will also be able to pre-book Picnic Boxes to enjoy when they visit.

Later in the year, the charity will be celebrating its 50th birthday with a series of special events and programming starting in November.