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Introducing

James Lawrence

Storyteller, historian and naturalist from Essex

James Lawrence is a storyteller, historian and naturalist from Essex. For over 5 years he has led multi-dimensional walks all over Britain that combine performance with nature connection. His practice revolves around exploring the natural wonders of the British Outdoors and revealing the magic within it: from the worlds in wildflowers to the haunts of mythical creatures.

In 2025, James was a recipient of the Essex County Council Arts and Cultural Fund to deliver his storytelling project ‘The Essex Ways’. The project included a 400km walk across the county to research, record and perform a collection of stories that celebrate the spirit of Essex. These stories highlight local heritage and green spaces, empower individuals and communities, and give voice to those who might otherwise not be heard. The project will culminate with a programme of interactive storytelling performances, as well as a short film and book documenting his discovery throughout the county.

James Lawrence

Storyteller, historian and naturalist from Essex

“Like most people from Essex, I’m fiercely proud of my home county. The media love to spin a one-dimensional idea of what the county is all about: they do say “The ONLY way is Essex” after all. But I know that’s only one facet of this many-splendored jewel. It’s not a one-way kinda place! I believe that Essex is one of the most fascinating counties in England. You only need to scratch the surface to find amazing stories, from ancient times to the modern day; many of which show that Essex hasn’t changed as much as we might think. I believe that the more of these stories we discover and put together, the closer we get to the true soul of Essex: the myths at the heart of this great county.”