Mysteries
of Mistley
Saturday 20th June 2026
10am-4pm
About the event:
Saturday 20th June 2026
Time: 10am-4pm
Mistley is a wonderful village, with its treasures of architecture, history, scenic views, industry, arts, small business, rugby, cricket and community. So let’s celebrate it.
On Saturday 20th June 2026 10am-4pm, local organisations in Mistley will be opening their doors as part of a trail, food, and history event. There will be competitions, collector cards, prizes, and much more. Keep scrolling to find out who’s on the trail and what they are doing.
2026 map
COMING SOON…
What’s on
Each wonderful organisation (listed A-Z below) will have the following activites going on throughout the day:
Cooper’s Gallery
Cooper’s Gallery will be selling high quality prints, paintings, ceramics, sculpture, jewellery, textiles and painted wooden from local artists and designers, including Suffolk Craft Society members.
Books and cards by Jardine Press and local printmakers. There is a wide range of prices.
Craft stalls @ EDME
Local crafters will be setting up shop in the car park next to EDME. Explore a variety of stalls offering fair trade gifts and handmade items, including block-printed textiles, crochet and resin products, artwork, woodturning, needle felting, ceramic jewellery, and quirky sculptures.
EDME
Discover the natural, nutritious ingredients made on-site and learn about EDME’s 140-year history.
Snap a photo with the iconic EDME lorry.
Hear the story of the journey from field to fork and explore the malting process.
Enjoy a taste of EDME’s ingredients in delicious malt loaves, breads, buns, and cookies, freshly baked by Wooster’s Bakery.
Manningtree & District Photo Society
The Society will be based at Studio on the Quay, showcasing a stunning collection of local photographs inside the gallery.
Mistley Church Hall
Learn about the history of the hall, formerly known as the Mistley Institute, and enjoy light refreshments, including drinks and cake.
Mistley Fisheries
Visit the family-run business serving lunch from 12–2pm. Enjoy traditional fish and chips, with vegetarian options also available.
Mistley & Manningtree Bowls Club
Test your skills at the bowls game station and learn about the Club’s history. Light refreshments will be available.
Mistley Towers
Learn about the history of this iconic landmark. A rare chance to go inside the Towers.
Discover what they were for, find out who built them, why there is a gap in the middle and why the architecture is of national importance.
Mistley RUFC
The perfect start and finish spot. Indulge in a bacon sandwich, grab a drink from the bar (open from 11am) to either fuel for the trail or celebrate your trail achievements with music starting late afternoon.
Come meet the women’s rugby team – a group of passionate, strong, and inspiring women who embody teamwork, determination, and fun! Whether you’re a rugby fan or just curious about the sport, this is a fantastic opportunity to connect with a supportive community and chat with some of the team members.
They’ll be having a kickabout to encourage visitors to give it a try, and there will be people on hand to answer any questions about our women’s, girls’, and minis programs. You might just discover your new favorite sport for the whole family!
Don’t forget to hand in your completed collector card here – once you have reached a minimum of 10 stamps – to be entered into the prize draw.
Old Knobbley
It wouldn’t be Mistley without the magnificent 800-year-old oak tree—its roots firmly planted in history. Visit this bonus stop on the trail and read the display curated by the Manningtree Museum and Local History Group.
PACE Manningtree
Visit Mistley RUFC, where PACE Manningtree will be stationed, sharing information to inspire and empower the changes we need to make to address the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and environmental damage.
Station Hair and Beauty
Heidi the Station Wagon will be parked up, serving hot and cold drinks. Out front, a craft area will be set up to get your creative juices flowing.
St Mary and St Michael’s Church
Open all day for exploration. Between 11am and 2pm, members of the church will be available to offer brief talks and tours of the church and its organ.
Cold drinks will be available throughout the day.
Studio on the Quay
Activities for all ages will take place throughout the day, including jewellery making, clay & play, flower arranging, and painting.
A hydration station will also be available for refreshments!
Tea at the Quay
This spot makes the perfect pit stop on any journey through magical Mistley. Children can step back in time with fun dress-up costumes – one inspired by 17th-century figure Richard Rigby for boys, and a matching period costume for girls.
Activity packs will also be available, just like last year, featuring a word search and possibly a game to keep young adventurers entertained along the way.
The Walled Garden Cafe @ Acorn Village
Indulge in a selection of delicious homemade cakes and enjoy a variety of hot and cold drinks. Don’t miss the new brunch menu now available.
With plenty of seating options – in the main cafe, the conservatory, or outside in the beautiful walled garden – you can also choose to take away. Dogs are welcome on leads.
The cafe is open from 9am to 3pm.
Witchfinder Grave
St Mary’s Church was once the centre of Mistley and where Matthew Hopkins went regularly to service, led by the Rev Thomas Witham. How did he end up living here at the parsonage and being buried in the churchyard after leading the notorious Witch-hunts of 1645?
Wooster’s Bakery
A selection of tasty breads, cakes, and, of course, malt loaf will be available to buy at the Bakery’s stall, located at EDME on the day.
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