England
Essex

Essex Travel Guide - Historic Buildings

You might also want to check out our list of stately homes (historic houses) in Essex.

Bourne Mill    A lovely restored 16th century water mill in a green pocket in the surburbs of Colchester. The mill is set in an unexpected pocket of countryside beside a quiet stream. Bourne Mill was not built as a mill, but rather as a fishing lodge. It was constructed in 1591, in a style best described as rustic Dutch, with stepped gables making the building appear larger than it actually is when viewed from the end. Bourne Road, Colchester, Essex, England, CO2 8RT Attraction Type: Historic Property Heritage Rating:   ? Location: Off Mersea Road (B1025) on Bourne Road. Limited seasonal opening hours, see National Trust website for details. Website: Bourne Mill Email: bournemill@nationaltrust.org.uk Phone: 01206 572422 National Trust Location map OS TM005238 Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Coggeshall Grange Barn    The incredible roof is the most prominent feature of this timber framed barn, one of the oldest in Europe, giving a cathedral-like feel to the interior. Dating from the early 13th century, the grange barn was originally associated with a Cistercian monastery. It now houses a collection of farm carts and wagons. Grange Hill, Coggeshall, Colchester, Essex, England, CO6 1RE Attraction Type: Historic Property Heritage Rating:   ? Location: just S of Coggeshall town centre, on the B1024 Website: Coggeshall Grange Barn Email: coggeshall@nationaltrust.org.uk Phone: 01376 562 226 National Trust Location map OS TL850 221 Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Cressing Temple Barns and Gardens    Historic site of the Knights Templar dates back to the 12th century, being the first tract of land granted to them in Britain. Remarkable today is the surviving pair of 13th century barns, the finest in Europe. There is also a lovely Tudor walled garden, and several other buildings of historical note. Witham Road, Braintree, Essex, Enland, CM7 8PD Attraction Type: Historic Property Heritage Rating:   ? Location: on the B1018 Website: Cressing Temple Barns and Gardens Email: cressing.temple@essex.gov.uk Phone: 01376 584 903 Location map OS TL797189 Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Harwich Redoubt Fort    Massive circular fort, 180 feet in diameter, built in 1808 to defend against a feared Napoleonic invasion. A museum is housed in one part of the fort; on the battlements are eleven guns. Battle reinactments and other events in summer. Main Road, Harwich, Essex, England Attraction Type: Historic Property Heritage Rating:   ? Website: Harwich Redoubt Fort Phone: 01255 503 429 Fax: 01255 503 429 OS TM262 322 Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Layer Marney Tower    Early 16th century building commenced on a grand scale with an 80 foot gatehouse, the tallest in Britain. Fine terracotta work on battlements, windows, and the tombs of Henry and John Marney. Visit the exhibition in the History Room on your way up to the top of the tower. Long Gallery, and medieval barn with Rare Breed animals. Colchester, Essex, England, CO5 9US Attraction Type: Historic Property Heritage Rating:   ? Location: 7 miles SW of Colchester Website: Layer Marney Tower Email: info@layermarneytower.co.uk Phone: 0126 330 784 Fax: 0126 330 784 Location map OS TL927176 Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Mistley Towers    The Mistley Towers are a pair of 18th century towers designed by Robert Adam to complement the Georgian church of St Mary the Virgin at Mistley. The towers, in typical Adam classical style, stood at each end of the church, which is no longer in existence. The site overlooks the River Stour and stand next to Mistley Quay. B1352, Mistley, Essex, England Attraction Type: Historic Property Heritage Rating:   ? Location: Located on the B1352 1.5 miles east of the A137 at Lawford. Key is available from Mistley Quay Workshops. Website: Mistley Towers English Heritage OS TM112322 Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Paycocke's    1500 merchant's house, a fine example of Tudor domestic architecture. Display of Coggeshall lace. West Street, Coggeshall, Colchester, Essex, England, CO6 1NS Attraction Type: Historic Property Heritage Rating:   ? Location: 5½ miles E of Braintree, off the A120 Website: Paycocke's Email: paycockes@nationaltrust.org.uk Phone: 01376 561 305 National Trust Location map OS TL847 225 Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Priors Hall Barn    One of the finest medieval barns in England, Widdington Prior's Hall Barn was built in the mid 15th century, and consists of a central section with aisles to either side. The whole is supported by an amazing system of crown post timber framing. It took an estimated 400 oak trees to create the barn structure. Widdington, Essex, England Attraction Type: Historic Property Heritage Rating:   ? Location: On a minor road 2 miles east of Newport, off the B1383 at Widdington. Seasonal opening, weekends only. Website: Priors Hall Barn English Heritage OS TL537319 Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Royal Gunpowder Mills    An historic gunpowder mill set in beautiful parkland. The Royal Gunpowder Mills date to at least the 17th century, and possibly earlier. We do not know when the first mills in the area started producing gunpowder, but we do know that in 1662 a local curate boasted that mills in his area had blown up 5 times in the last 7 years (thankfully with no loss of life). Beaulieu Drive, Waltham Abbey, Essex, England, EN9 1JY Attraction Type: Historic Property Heritage Rating:   ? Location: Between Waltham Abbey & Waltham Cross, off Highbridge Street Website: Royal Gunpowder Mills Email: info@royalgunpowdermills.com Phone: 01992 707370 Location map OS TL375011 Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

St John's Abbey Gate    An extravagant early 15th century gatehouse, the last surviving part of the powerful Abbey of St John at Colchester. The gatehouse was built around the year 1400 to create a more elaborate defense around the abbey grounds following the upheavals of the Peasant's Revolt. St John's Gate, Colchester, Essex, England Attraction Type: Historic Property Heritage Rating:   ? Location: On St John's Gate, just off the A134. Open access site. Website: St John's Abbey Gate English Heritage OS TL997247 Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Tilbury Fort    Guarding the Thames estuary from the time of Henry VIII through WWII, Tilbury remains a stunning example of an artillary fort. Impressive array of moats and bastioned outworks, historical exhibition. Tilbury, Essex, England, RM16 7NR Attraction Type: Historic Property Heritage Rating:   ? Location: 1/2 mile E of Tilbury, off the A126 Website: Tilbury Fort Phone: 01375 858 489 English Heritage Location map OS TQ651 754 Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Waltham Abbey Gatehouse and Bridge    Late 14th century gatehouse and medieval bridge remain of the great abbey founded by the Saxon King Harold. Waltham Abbey, Essex, England Attraction Type: Historic Property Heritage Rating:   ? Location: off the A112, just NE of the Abbey church Website: Waltham Abbey Gatehouse and Bridge Phone: 01992 702 200 English Heritage OS TL381 008 Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts