St Osyth Priory & Parish Trust

Home
United Kingdom
Clacton-on-Sea
St Osyth Priory & Parish Trust

Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from St Osyth Priory & Parish Trust, The Bury, Clacton-on-Sea.

We are the charitable trust dedicated to preserving, restoring and celebrating the heritage and beauty of St Osyth Priory for the education, wellbeing and enjoyment of everyone.

11/09/2026

September is one of our favourite months of the year! 🍂

Our top three things about September:

🍃 Nature begins its spectacular autumn transformation
🏛️ Heritage Open Days bring communities together to celebrate local history
🌅 Cooler days make exploring historic places and outdoor spaces even more enjoyable

What would make your top three list?

09/09/2026

🍂🏛️ Heritage Open Days Festival Starts Next Week! 🏛️🍂

We're thrilled by the incredible response to our Heritage Open Days Festival event next week, which is now completely sold out!

Thank you to everyone who has booked a place. We look forward to welcoming visitors for a special opportunity to explore the rich history, heritage, and stories of our site as part of England's largest festival of history and culture.

The enthusiastic support for this event demonstrates just how much local heritage matters to our community, and we're excited to share the experience with those attending.

If you weren't able to secure a place, don't worry. Keep an eye on our social media channels and website for future events, talks, tours, and opportunities to discover the fascinating history of St Osyth.

Thank you for your support, and we'll see our ticket holders next week!

08/09/2026

📚 International Literacy Day 🌿📖

On International Literacy Day, we celebrate the power of reading to transport us through time and place. Some of the world's most beloved stories are filled with romantic images of rolling countryside, ancient woodlands, dramatic coastlines, and historic ruins. Literature has long drawn inspiration from both nature and history, helping us see beauty, mystery, and meaning in the landscapes and heritage around us.

Whether it's the wild moors of classic novels, tales of medieval castles, or stories inspired by the natural world, books encourage us to explore our surroundings with fresh eyes. They remind us that the places we visit today are rich with stories waiting to be discovered.

Here at St Osyth, we're fortunate to be surrounded by both natural beauty and centuries of history, offering the perfect setting to inspire the next generation of readers, writers, and storytellers.

📖 What book has inspired you to explore a historic place or connect with nature? Let us know in the comments!

07/09/2026

Meet the Trust: Michelle Behr

As part of our Meet the Trust series, we're delighted to introduce Michelle Behr, whose expertise in heritage conservation, project development and historic buildings has been instrumental in shaping the Trust's vision for the future.

Michelle brings an exceptional combination of academic knowledge and practical experience. A PhD candidate in Architectural History at the University of Cambridge, she has also led major heritage renovation projects around the world, including multi-million-pound restoration schemes during her career with luxury hospitality company Belmond.

As a Trustee and Project Sub-Group Lead, Michelle has played a vital role in developing the Trust's restoration ambitions, helping to ensure that the historic significance of St Osyth Priory is carefully balanced with the needs of modern audiences and future generations. Her expertise in heritage buildings, design and conservation has helped shape the direction of our projects and strengthen our approach to protecting this remarkable site.

Alongside her professional and academic work, Michelle is actively involved in heritage conservation through organisations such as The Georgian Group and SAVE Britain's Heritage, bringing valuable insight and best practice to the Trust.

We are incredibly fortunate to benefit from Michelle's passion, knowledge and commitment as we work to preserve, celebrate and share the stories of St Osyth Priory.

Find out more about Michelle and her role with the Trust: 👉 https://www.stosythprioryandparishtrust.org/the-trust/trustees/michelle-behr/

04/09/2026

🏛️ Did you know? The fall of the Western Roman Empire in AD 476 marked the end of an era that had shaped Britain for nearly four centuries.

Long before St Osyth became the historic village we know today, the nearby city of Colchester (Camulodunum) was one of Roman Britain's most important settlements. As the first Roman capital of Britain, it was a bustling centre of government, trade and culture.

When Roman rule came to an end, Britain entered a period of dramatic change. Roads, towns and buildings remained, but new communities emerged and life began to evolve in different ways. The landscape around St Osyth carries echoes of this fascinating transition from the Roman world to early medieval England.

The next time you visit St Osyth Priory or explore the village, remember that you're just a few miles from a place that witnessed the rise and fall of one of history's greatest empires.

📍 Have you visited any Roman sites in or around Colchester? We'd love to hear about your discoveries in the comments!

Image Sketch 3D model reconstruction of what Camulodunum looked like during Roman times. Credit: Joseph Chittenden

02/09/2026

🏫 Calling Local Schools! 🌿📚

We're looking for schools to help us shape and test exciting new Environmental History Sessions this term as part of our National Lottery Heritage Fund Activity Pilot Project.

These engaging sessions will explore the fascinating connections between our local heritage, landscape, wildlife, and environment, helping young people discover how the past can inspire a more sustainable future.

By taking part, your school will have the opportunity to:
✅ Help develop new educational activities
✅ Experience hands-on heritage learning
✅ Provide valuable feedback to shape future programmes
✅ Connect curriculum topics with local history and nature

If you're a teacher or know a school that may be interested, we'd love to hear from you.

📧 Get in touch at https://www.stosythprioryandparishtrust.org/school-trips/ to find out more and book a pilot session.

Together, let's bring history, heritage, and the environment to life for the next generation.

31/08/2026

🌞 Happy August Bank Holiday! 🌿

As summer begins to wind down, we're taking a moment to celebrate the simple things that make this time of year so special: time with family and friends, walks in beautiful surroundings, shared stories, and making memories that last a lifetime.

Whether you're enjoying a picnic, exploring local heritage, spending time in nature, or simply taking a well-earned rest, we hope you're having a wonderful Bank Holiday weekend.

At St Osyth Priory, we're reminded every day how places with a rich history become part of people's own stories and memories. We'd love to hear yours. What is your favourite Bank Holiday memory? Share it in the comments below. 👇

28/08/2026

✈️ As thousands look to the skies for the Clacton Airshow, it's a reminder of the important role aviation has played throughout our history.

From historic aircraft to modern display teams, the Airshow celebrates innovation, skill, and the enduring fascination of flight. Here at St Osyth Priory, we love seeing people come together to share stories, memories, and local heritage during events that showcase the very best of our community.

Have you visited the Clacton Airshow before? Share your favourite memories below!

Photo credit Clacton Gazette

26/08/2026

On this day in history: 1346 Battle of Crécy

Edward III's English longbows defeat Philip VI's army south of Calais in northern France; cannons are used for the first time in battle.

Photo and info credited to On This Day

The Medieval is just one of the topics we offer as part of our Educational Program. Do keep an eye out for our future plans, coming soon.

25/08/2026

📣 We want to hear from YOU!

What kind of content would you like to see more of on our social channels? 🤔

Whether it's behind-the-scenes content, tips and advice, company updates, customer stories, team spotlights, giveaways, or something completely different, let us know in the comments below! 👇

Your feedback helps us create content that matters most to you. 💙

Address

The Bury
Clacton-on-Sea
CO168NX

Website

https://www.stosythprioryandparishtrust.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when St Osyth Priory & Parish Trust posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Want your organisation to be the top-listed Government Service in Clacton-on-Sea?