Essex Foodies Market partners up with Hylands Estate for monthly Open Estate Days
Popular market organiser, Essex Foodies, has announced that they’ll be taking over the monthly food and craft market at Hylands Estate’s Open Estate Days in Chelmsford.
Their first appearance will be on Sunday 9 February 2025, alongside lots of other family-friendly activities taking place across Hylands Estate that same day.
Supporting small-scale, local businesses to thrive
Formerly known as Writtle Foodies, Essex Foodies is an independent market offering a fantastic range of local food and drinks vendors, freshly grown produce, and crafty items.
Run by Jessica Scotchbrook and Hannah Vickers, the market provides a regular platform for small, independent and local traders to sell their products and promote their brands. Jessica and Hannah are passionate about fostering a sense of community among the traders they work with and the loyal customers they serve.
The pair are successful business owners themselves, managing their sweet treats businesses Butter & Scotch and XO Dough in between running Essex Foodies and working part-time jobs. They have extensive experience in trading at markets around Chelmsford, including some of Hylands Estate’s previous Open Estate Days.
New Hylands location will further growth of successful market
Jessica and Hannah first started Writtle Foodies in October 2023 following the discontinuation of Writtle Farmers' Market earlier that summer. Initially based at Writtle Village Green, the market quickly thrived and became well-known locally for its delicious fare and high-quality handmade products from diverse traders.
Essex Foodies Market works with diverse traders to offer a range of high-quality food, drink and crafts. Credit Essex Foodies Market.
The popular market expanded in November 2024 to include a second location at Channels. Shortly after this, Jessica and Hannah announced a rebrand from Writtle Foodies Market to Essex Foodies Market, to recognise the market’s evolving status.
Their move to Hylands Estate will allow the pair to continue to grow Essex Foodies Market with the added support of the Hylands team:
““We’re thrilled to be bringing Essex Foodies Market to Hylands Estate and are looking forward to collaborating creatively with the Hylands team over the coming months to make this the best market that it can be. As small business owners, Hylands’ well-known location combined with the support of the team there will be invaluable to us and our traders as we continue to grow and evolve.
Jessica Scotchbrook and Hannah Vickers, Essex Foodies Market
“A lot of consideration goes into the businesses we work with for Essex Foodies, and we’ve developed our list of market traders mindfully, ensuring that the market offers a wide range of products. Visitors will see this reflected in the traders we already have signed up for Open Estate Days in February and beyond. We can’t wait to see our lovely Essex Foodies fans and fresh faces at Hylands in the coming months.”
Cllr Natacha Dudley, Cabinet Member for an Active Chelmsford, says this new partnership between Essex Foodies Market and Hylands Estate is fantastic news for Chelmsford:
““Essex Foodies Market is famous for its exceptional lineup of regular traders, which has earned them a loyal following of customers and an excellent reputation for delicious and unique food and crafts.
Cllr Natacha Dudley, Cabinet Member for an Active Chelmsford, Chelmsford City Council
“The news that they will be teaming up with Hylands Estate for their monthly Open Estate Days is just fantastic for Chelmsford, as both are committed to supporting small, local businesses and bringing the very best of what Essex has to offer to the district. Essex Foodies Market will undoubtedly contribute a lively atmosphere to upcoming Open Estate Days.”
What to expect from February’s Open Estate Day
February's event will feature artisan doughnuts from XO Dough, loaded fries from Grunt and bubble tea from Bubbles and Beans. Credit Essex Foodies Market.
Essex Foodies Market already has 30 incredible traders confirmed for their first Open Estate Day on Sunday 9 February. As well as cakes and artisan doughnuts from Butter & Scotch and XO Dough, there’ll be homemade crumble from Crackin’ Crumble, authentic Thai from Mama Cook Truck, loaded fries from Grunts, Caribbean mac & cheese from Island Touch, hot drinks from Full Throttle Coffee, and bubble tea from Bubbles & Beans.
For gifts and crafty products, there’ll be Scarlett Tiger’s beautiful handmade candles, Magically Matilda’s cute accessories and Balance Collection’s range of healing crystals.
Magically Matilda and Scarlett Tiger will also be present at February's Open Estate Day. Credit Essex Foodies Market.
Alongside this, there’ll be the usual Hylands Open Estate Day activities. February’s event will celebrate romance and love with themed crafts in the Banqueting Room. Beloved local storyteller, Mike Dodsworth, will also be back for more drop-in storytelling sessions, and guided tours of the house will take place at 10am and 1pm.
Chelmsford Museum will also be joining February’s event with archaeological object handling and a craft your own Saxon brooch station. In the Library, another monthly exhibition will explore the history of weddings and royal visits at Hylands. Throughout the day, the resident artists at The Stables will have their doors open for visitors to explore their creative work, and Hot Box Live will be providing music in The Stables courtyard.
Storytelling with Mike Dodsworth and music from Hot Box Live will also be at upcoming Open Estate Days. Credit Chris Cook.
Pop down to Hylands to explore Essex Foodies Markets every second Sunday of the month
Essex Foodies Market will appear at Hylands Estate’s Open Estate Days held on the second Sunday of every month throughout 2025.
As well as Hylands, Essex Foodies will continue to operate at Channels Estate on the east side of Chelmsford on the third Sunday of each month.
Follow the team on Instagram to keep up to date with their activities and the mouth-watering food and drink on offer at each market!
Cherelle writes about Chelmsford Theatre, Hylands Estate, Chelmsford Museum, the Mayor of Chelmsford and culture and events in the city.