Essex Writers House 2025

Throughout June, Metal Southend will become a home for Essex Writers to share, forge ideas, make connections, gossip, read and write.

You can book a wild outdoor writing desk, grab a spot overlooking the Thames Estuary, get advice on your writing and find your writing community.

02 – 30 June 2025

Metal, Chalkwell Hall, Chalkwell Park, Southend-on-Sea, SS0 8NB

For full event listings visit: metalculture.com/projects/essex-writers-house-2025/

Writers’ Hot Desks

Atmospheric attic room desks with spectacular views across the estuary to Kent never cease to provide inspiration for writers needing space to shape their ideas. Book a desk to carve out time for yourself away from the distractions of everyday life.

Wild Writing Desk

A special writer’s desk will be outdoors in a secluded area of Chalkwell Park. This is the perfect environment for those who love to write immersed in nature. Southend weather permitting.

Co-Working & Shared Spaces

Essex Writers House is a place for writers to come together. This year, we’re offering two drop-in spaces (Monday – Friday 10.00 – 16.30 throughout June). These spaces invite you to connect, create, and strengthen your local writing community.

Our Quiet Work Room will be a peaceful, self-directed space for writing, reading or studying in silence, gathered around a beautiful co-working table.

The Main Hall will be an informal space for discussion, reading aloud, and sharing work with others.

Open Advice Sessions

Book a time with the Metal team and our associate writers to gain valuable feedback, guidance, and signposting to further support. These sessions welcome writers at any stage of their journey, whether you’re just starting out, or refining a manuscript. The space is yours to discuss what you need for your writing development.

Meet Our Resident Writers

Opportunities to connect with resident writers from near and far.

Find Your Writing Community

A discussion in partnership with the National Centre for Writing, inspired by their Escalator programme, which celebrates East of England writers whose voices are under-represented on UK bookshelves.

For the full programme of events at this year’s Essex Writers House visit: metalculture.com/projects/essex-writers-house-2025/

Wild Swim + Write: Sense the Estuary with Angenita Teekens

Saturday 21 June, 8.45am – 1.00pm

Saltwater Beach Cafe, 111 Chalkwell Esplanade, Southend-on-Sea, SS0 8JJ

Immerse yourself—body and mind—in the tidal rhythms of the Estuary. Join artist and swimmer Angenita Teekens on Saturday 21 June for a unique morning of wild swimming at Chalkwell Beach followed by breakfast and creative writing at Chalkwell Hall.

We’ll gather at high tide for a refreshing dip or swim in the Estuary, followed by a walk to Chalkwell Hall, where a nourishing breakfast awaits. Afterward, Angenita will lead an experimental writing workshop, inviting you to explore your sensory impressions and shared experiences of the estuarine landscape through words.

Find out more at essexbookfestival.org.uk/event/wild-swim-write-sense-the-estuary.

This is a partnership event with Essex Book Festival, Metal, Essex Federation of Women’s Institutes, and the Blue Tits. All welcome.

‘When women support each other incredible things happen.’