24/06/2026
‼️ Heatwave Latest: Closures, cancellations and disruption across Essex due to extreme heat.
With temperatures forecast to reach the mid to high 30s across Essex on Wednesday and Thursday some organisations are closing, reducing services or issuing warnings.
💧 Anglian Water say their teams are working 24/7 to keep taps flowing, but are expecting the hot weather to put “extra pressure” on the water network. The company says they “want to make sure there’s enough water to go round” and ask customers to only use water for essentials like drinking, cooking and washing and “hold off on non-essential jobs like washing the car.”
🐑 The Hadleigh Farm Rare Breeds Centre will be CLOSED on 24, 25 and 26 June to ensure the welfare of the animals during the hot weather.
🐮 Marsh Farm will be CLOSED on 24 and 25 June “to keep everyone safe”. The attraction will be open on Friday but all interactive animal sessions will be withdrawn, to keep animals protected from extra heat and stress.
🐐 Old MacDonald’s Farm & Fun Park in Brentwood is CLOSED on 24 and 25 June. The attraction says the closure will allow staff to focus their full attention on keeping animals cool, comfortable and well cared for during the extreme temperatures.
🚊 c2c trains are running a reduced afternoon service on 24 and 25 June, with passengers urged to only travel if “absolutely necessary” because of the risk of heat-related disruption to the railway network.
🚂 Greater Anglia train services are also being reduced in the PM on both 24 and 25 June. Rail services will continue to run, but passengers should expect disruption across the network. The company says travelling to, from or within the red zones should only travel if absolutely necessary.
🏫 A number of Essex schools have announced changes to the school day due to overheating classrooms and concerns about staff and pupil welfare. Schools announcing closures or timetable changes include:
• Glenwood School, Benfleet - closing early
• Shenfield High School, Brentwood - closing early
• Bocking Primary School, Braintree - timetable changes due to heat
• St Peter’s C of E Primary School, Coggeshall - closing early
• Moulsham Infant School, Chelmsford - closing at midday
• Several other schools across Essex have also reported changes through Essex
If you’ve spotted any other closures, cancelled events or service disruptions anywhere in Essex, let us know in the comments and we’ll update the list.
Look after yourselves, check in on the vulnerable and stay hydrated.
