Hobby groups in Essex

Below you'll find every hobby group we know of in Essex, as well as people looking to join one.

All listings in Essex

Shelli (Basildon)

Seeking a book club

Murder mystery, autobiographies,

Sandra O'Loughlin (Wickford)

Seeking a book club

I'm a 65yr old retired woman looking for a relaxed & friendly book group that also has some structure to ensure the books are actually discussed

Elaine (Ongar)

Seeking a book club

Hi I wonder if you could tell me if your book club is still active. Many thanks

Elaine (Ongar)

Seeking a book club

Hi I wonder if you could tell me if your book club is still active. Many thanks

Elaine (Ongar)

Seeking a book club

Hi I wonder if you could tell me if your book club is still active. Many thanks

Rachael (Harlow)

Seeking a book club

I love reading almost anything i can find the time to read but definitely fiction, especially gothic and 19th century literature, crime thrillers and romances. I can only meet in the evenings really as I work and have 2 children.

Elaine (Ongar)

Seeking a book club

I read all genres and would like to meet people, get the chance to hear what others think of a book and get inspiration for new books to read.

Rita (Rochford)

Seeking a book club

Friendly, easy to talk to. I love reading and would really like to join a book club with a few people where we could all take it in turn to choose a variety of books and chat about them.

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Mastering The Craft Of Miniature Painting (Southend-on-Sea)

Knitting & crafts

This group in Southend-on-Sea is for people who enjoy miniature painting, from complete beginners to those with plenty of experience. Members meet regularly to work on their projects, share tips on brush control, basing and glazing, and help one another solve tricky paint schemes. It is a relaxed space for people who want to make progress on their models alongside others with the same hobby.

Dicing With Life - Board Game Community (Romford)

Gaming group

Dicing With Life is a board game and tabletop gaming community in Romford, Essex, with sessions in Zone 6 of London. It offers a large choice of games, plus organised role-playing, wargaming and trading card play, and people are welcome to bring their own games too. The group says visitors can turn up without booking, and volunteers help newcomers find a game. All ages and abilities are welcome.

Chelmsford Board Games Meetup Group (Chelmsford)

Gaming group

This Chelmsford board gaming group meets at the Orange Tree pub every other week, with sessions held on Fridays from 7pm. Members are asked to bring their own games and join in for an evening of tabletop gaming.

The Romans 12 Book Club (Chelmsford)

Book club

The Romans 12 Book Club in Chelmsford is a Christian reading group that works through a selected book one chapter at a time each day. It meets weekly on Zoom to share insights, discuss practical ways to apply what has been read, and encourage one another in spiritual growth. The listing says it welcomes both long-time Christians and people who are just starting their journey.

🎨

Chelmsford Life Drawing (Chelmsford)

Sketching & art

Chelmsford Life Drawing is a group for people who want to make art in a relaxed, friendly setting. It offers life drawing sessions with tutoring available for anyone who would like help, and it welcomes all abilities. Materials and refreshments are provided.

💬

🌍 Chadwell Heath Social & Languages Group (Dagenham)

Language exchange

This group is for people in and around Chadwell Heath who want to meet others, share interests and enjoy relaxed conversation. Activities may include café meetups, local walks, English-Japanese and English-Spanish language exchange, beginner-friendly sports and running, plus occasional online socials. All backgrounds and experience levels are welcome.

🧘

Free Mediation & Yoga Grays (Tilbury)

Meditation

This group offers free online meditation and yoga sessions, including a 21-day course running from 1 to 21 February 2026 at 7pm each day. It also lists guided online meetings on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7pm through its virtual platforms. The sessions are open to people interested in learning to meditate or understand yoga, and no mats or special clothing are needed.

🧘

Free Meditation & Yoga Chelmsford (Chelmsford)

Meditation

This free meditation group in Chelmsford runs weekly Sahaja Yoga meetings at The Nook centre. It also offers online guided meditations at 7pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, plus a 21-day online meditation course starting on Sunday 1st February. The sessions use simple seated meditation and do not require mats, exercise or special clothing.

✍️

East Ink Collective (Romford)

Writing

East Ink Collective is a writing group in Romford for people from East London and Essex who write, want to write, or simply want company while they work on ideas. It offers quiet writing sessions, themed prompt sessions lasting two hours, and optional feedback circles where members can share extracts and get supportive comments. The group welcomes all backgrounds, experience levels and genres, with no need to be published or to have a finished project.

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Southend Speakers Club - Toastmasters International (Southend-on-Sea)

Real ale

Southend Speakers Club is building interest for a new Toastmasters club in the Southend-on-Sea area. It is for people who want to improve public speaking, confidence, presentation, communication and leadership skills, and no previous experience is needed. The group plans informal meet-ups, online chats and introductory sessions as it grows.

🍺

Thurrock CAMRA (Tilbury)

Real ale

The Thurrock branch of CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale. Branches organise socials, pub crawls, brewery visits and beer festivals, and anyone who enjoys real ale, cider and perry is welcome.

🍺

Maldon and Dengie CAMRA (Maldon)

Real ale

The Maldon and Dengie branch of CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale. Branches organise socials, pub crawls, brewery visits and beer festivals, and anyone who enjoys real ale, cider and perry is welcome.