Events & Exhibitions at The Nottage

Every summer The Nottage hosts a variety of events driven by local demand. Artists book weekends or whole weeks to display and sell their work knowing that our popular venue will always attract visitors from far and wide.

Pop up shops, book launches, helping to facilitate the annual regatta. Our modern kitchen is also equipped to either cook a meal from scratch or facilitate a banquet ( as in the picture ) that are regular occurrences here as the building is flexible enough to accommodate all these different events. The Nottage also puts on an annual exhibition of its own, drawing from its extensive archive of local Wivenhoe history, photographs, and memorabilia.

The winter months see the return of the much-loved monthly talks. Heating up, screen down and the chairs set out for an interesting and informative delivery from experts in their field on many and diverse subjects. Always punctuated by tea, coffee, and biscuits. These talks are free to people who have become ‘Friends of The Nottage’, £3.00 per talk to everyone else.

Maybe you have an event we could help promote with our unique venue – just let us know.

Upcoming Events

James Dodds – Life and Work

Friday 31 October 7.30-9.00pm Doors open at 7.00pm
By popular demand, Wivenhoe artist and author James (Jamie) Dodds will be again delivering an illustrated talk on his life and work, introducing new material to the sold-out presentation he gave in the spring. Please arrive early to ensure admittance!

Confessions of a Cruise Ship Deck Officer

Friday 14 November 7.30-9.00pm Doors open at 7.00pm
Wivenhoe resident Harriet Johnson will give a behind-the scenes account of what it’s like to sail as crew aboard a large cruise ship – where she first met her husband Giles. The talk will include a presentation of the bridge on board the unique vessel Queen Mary 2 (QM2), modelled on the transatlantic liners of yesteryear.
Cost £15
Free to Friends of the Nottage.

Art Exhibition

23 and 24 November 2025 10.00-4.00pm each day
Frances Vincent Art Exhibition
Free entry

Wivenhoe Art Trail

28, 29 and 30 November open each day from 10.00am-5.00pm
Jane Watson and Maureen Hume at the Nottage as part of the Wivenhoe Trail
Free entry

The River Colne and how it shaped our Community

Thursday 11 December 7.00-9.00pm
This talk is intended to help and inform people who don’t use the River Colne but who want to know more about the river which has shaped our riverside communities, is environmentally important and which provides an exciting playground for leisure use today. The speaker is Bernie Hetherington, a member of the Nottage Maritime Institute Committee, a qualified RYA instructor, sailor and former Brightlingsea Harbour Master.
Doors open at 6.30pm
Cost £10