Follow the Tarot Trail, explore Chelmsford’s witchcraft history and discover a different free family activity every day of half term.
10am, Shire Hall
Start at Shire Hall, pick up your free spellbook and begin the Tarot Trail.
Thank you for joining The Witches of Chelmsford.
Every day this half term
Tarot Trail
Follow the trail around Chelmsford city centre, find 10 numbered tarot cards and put them in the correct order to reveal the secret spell word. Complete the trail and collect your exclusive Witches of Chelmsford stickers.
Essex Witch Museum Pop-Up
Step inside Shire Hall and discover Chelmsford’s witchcraft history. Find out why Essex became known as ‘Witch County’, what life was like during the witch trials and the difference between Cunning Folk and witches.
Look up!
As you follow the trail, keep an eye above the city for giant magical objects. Use the clues in your spellbook to find them all.
Need to book?
Two activities need advance booking: Monday’s Stop-Motion Workshop and Wednesday’s Magic Bath Bomb Making.
Booking opens Monday 19 October.
What’s on each day
Choose a day or use the filters to find activities that need booking and those you can simply turn up to.
Stop-Motion Workshop
Create part of a short stop-motion film inspired by the real stories of women accused of witchcraft in Essex. Everything you need is provided and no animation experience is needed.
Drop-In Animation Studio
Try stop-motion animation, experiment with different techniques and create your own animated scenes inspired by the witches of Essex.
Magic Bath Bomb Making
Mix, mould and make your own Monster Scare Bear bath bomb with the LUSH team while discovering the science behind what makes bath bombs fizz.
Craft Your Own Witchy Wearables
Make your own witch or wizard hat, or design a spooky Halloween badge to wear home.
Witch & Wizard Face Painting
Choose your magical look and transform into a witch, wizard or magical creature with our free face painters.
Craft Your Own Witchy Trick-or-Treat Bag
Design and decorate your own witch-themed trick-or-treat bag, ready for Halloween.
Witches’ Cauldron Slime Making
Mix and make your own cauldron slime while discovering how chemical reactions can make science look like magic.
Thank you for joining us for The Witches of Chelmsford.
Get your spellbook
Pick up your free Witches of Chelmsford Tarot Spellbook from the Essex Witch Museum at Shire Hall throughout the event.
You’ll also be able to download a copy from Monday 19 October.
Download available 19 October
The Essex Witch Museum
We are proud to be teaming up with the Essex Witch Museum to bring you the Witches of Chelmsford. They are working to collate and preserve the history of the witch trials held in Essex between 1560 and 1735.
Their mission is to:
- Reform the lost history of the Essex Witch Trials
- Give voices to those who are persecuted and ‘othered’ by society
- Create a fun, safe, and equitable space for the community
- Offer an interactive museum which caters for different learning styles
- Inspire visitors to learn from the past, and build a more understanding and equitable society
Chelmsford