Stories from the Essex Ways & BOOK LAUNCH

“I come not from Heaven, but from Essex” - William Morris

Discover the real Essex with an evening of stories, myths and legends from across the county.

Join storyteller James Lawrence, AKA Man About Country, as he launches his new book:

The Essex Ways: A Walker’s Guide to the Stories and Legends of England’s Most Fascinating County

Everyone in Britain thinks they know about Essex, but this book reveals the truth at the heart of England's most fascinating yet misunderstood county. Follow in the footsteps of an epic 400km storytelling adventure through Essex’s wildest places with this unique blend of story collection, travelogue and walking companion. With 42 walking routes, 22 hand-illustrated maps and hundreds of Essex stories, you can discover the county’s treasures for yourself, and see Essex as you’ve never seen it before.

To celebrate the launch of his new book, James will be telling some of his favourite Essex stories gathered during his storytelling adventure. Beneath the 500 year old timbers of The Barn at historic Layer Marney Tower, James will conjure creatures and characters from Essex’s past to show that even today, we are a more mythical county than we might think. After the stories, there will be a short Q&A session with James for any questions about his journey or discoveries, before the chance to buy a signed copy of the book. There will be a bar to keep you refreshed as you enjoy tales from Essex past and present. You’ll never see Essex the same way again!

Event Details

• Start time: 7pm (arrive from 6:30pm)
• Run time: 2.5 hours, including an interval
• Location: The Barn, Layer Marney Tower, CO5 9US
• Parking: Plentiful
• Bar: Available
• Questions: james@manaboutcountry.co.uk

About The Author

James Lawrence, AKA Man About Country, is a storyteller, adventurer, naturalist, and Cultural Ambassador for Essex. For over five years he’s led walks around some of Britain’s most fascinating places, guiding people to discover the country like never before. James is fresh off the Essex Ways: a 400km walking adventure around his home county to discover its stories, people and places. He set out to bust the negative media stereotypes and prove that Essex is one of the most fascinating counties in England. After a sell-out storytelling tour around Essex, a feature length film, and a hugely popular social media series, James' new book aims to show how the old stories of Essex are at the heart of the special place it is today, and provide vital guidance on the issues facing the county’s future.

Learn more about James and his recent 400km storytelling adventure around Essex:

• Website: www.manaboutcountry.co.uk/essexways
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/man_about_country
• TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@manaboutcountry