Getting to Chipping Ongar Arriving by Train From London take the Central Line towards Epping. From there take the bus towards Brentwood. The journey to Chipping Ongar takes approximately 15 minutes. Arriving by Road From London take the M11 signposted Stansted Airport and Cambridge. Leave at junction 7 and take the A414 towards Chelmsford. At The Four Wantz roundabout take the A128 signposted Brentwood and Chipping Ongar. Getting to Ingatestone Arriving by Train Ingatestone is served by a regular service by National Express East Anglia www.nationalexpresseastanglia.com tel: 0845 600 7245 directly from London Liverpool Street. There are a number of Tourist Information Centres throughout the county. Friendly staff will be able to assist you with in-depth knowledge of their particular area and book accommodation should you require it. For Chipping Ongar area please contact the following: Waltham Abbey Tourist Information Centre Telephone 01992 652295 [email protected] www.walthamabbey.org.uk For Ingatestone area contact: Brentwood Tourist Information Centre Telephone 01277 200300 www.brentwood.gov.uk Chipping Ongar and Ingatestone route Arriving by Road From the M25 take the A12 at junction 28 towards Chelmsford. At junction 12 turn left, then at Mountnessing roundabout take the B1002. LONDON • SAFFRON WALDEN • WALTHAM ABBEY • HARLOW • THURROCK • BASILDON • SOUTHEND-ON-SEA • COLCHESTER • BRAINTREE • BURNHAM-ON-CROUCH MALDON • • CHELMSFORD • BRADWELL • BRENTWOOD HARWICH • CLACTON-ON-SEA • • WITHAM Essex • ROCHFORD • LOUGHTON • THAXTED • HALSTEAD GREAT DUNMOW • MANNINGTREE • DEDHAM • STANSTED AIRPORT • TILBURY 6. Stock Windmill An early 19 th century tower mill on five floors. It is the sole survivor of a group of three mills on Stock Common. The mill has been restored to a high standard and is an excellent example of 19 th century towermill construction and millwrighting. Subject to wind, guided groups may be able to see sails turning. Tel: 07887 662177 7. St Andrew and St Christopher Churches The tiny village of Willingale, whose parish registers date back to the 1500, has the rare distinction of two churches within one churchyard. The nave in the St Andrew’s church was built in the early 12 th century and stands today, together with its 12 th century north door. Around the time the wool industry was flourishing in Essex the population of the village increased greatly. The existing church was too small and rather than pull down the old church and replace it with a new one, a second church, dedicated to St. Christopher, was built next to the original. 8. North Weald Airfield Museum and Memorial North Weald Airfield was established in 1916 and was in front-line service during the Battle of Britain. It is still very active and boasts some of the best aviation facilities in eastern England, with its long tarmac runways, engineering services for all types of both historic and contemporary aircraft and its excellent volunteer fire service. The Airfield Museum is housed in the former RAF North Weald Station Office. It is adjacent to what was the main entrance to this former Battle of Britain Fighter Station. The museum tells the story of the famous airfield which has protected London during two world wars. Tel: 01992 523010 www.northweald.org Chipping Ongar Chipping Ongar is a typical small ancient market town with a chequered origin. The River Roding to the east and Cripsey Brook to the west form a natural barrier and historically protected the area against attacks making it an obvious location for a settlement. Traces of Roman occupation have been found. Originally the town was known as ‘Castle Ongar’ because of the remains of a Norman ‘Motte and Bailey’ built around the 11 th or 12 th century. Around the 14 th century it took the name ‘Chipping’, a Saxon name meaning market and grassland. Possibly the most famous person associated with the town is the 19 th century missionary and explorer David Livingston. He stayed here just over a year before setting off on his great journey through Central Africa. A plaque above the archway leading to the United Reformed Church commemorates his stay. Ingatestone Kings, queens, politicians, diarists and market traders have all passed through the village along this old Roman highway. It was a stopping place for people travelling from London to Colchester. There are four Roman milestones, which still stand in the High Street. Its proximity to and direct train link with London contributed to the growth and popularity of this prosperous village, evident in the houses, buildings and shops. Ingatestone was home to Daniel Sutton, who was instrumental in the smallpox inoculations during the 18 th and 19 th century. He carried out much of his work here. Ingatestone Hall, home of the Petre family since the mid-16 th century, is today a major tourist attraction, its earliest visitors including Elizabeth I and Mary. In the 18 th century, Ingatestone was a major coaching town and today the village has a number of well known restaurants and old pubs. Stock The village lies 318 feet above sea level, one of the highest points in Essex. In early times the area was part of the great forest which covered most of Essex and remains found indicate Roman occupation. However, not until Saxon times did the village grow sufficiently and took the name Stock meaning ‘wood’. The first written evidence of the existence of a church in Stock is in 1232, built by the Saxons using timber from the forest. In the 17 th and 18 th century the tile and pot-making industry flourished in the village and the ‘Stock Brick’ became the biggest export. Attractions along the route: 1. Greensted Church The oldest wooden church in the world, dating from the 11 th century. The wooden walls of this tiny church were already standing when William the Conqueror landed at Hastings in 1066. Tradition has it that the body of martyred St Edmund, King of the East Angles, rested here on its final journey in 870 AD. This is a most picturesque building in a quiet location, with Tudor chancel and Crusaders grave. Tel: 01277 363268 www.greenstedchurch.org.uk 2. Secret Nuclear Bunker The biggest and deepest cold war bunker open to the public in south-east England. 3 storey ex- government regional HQ nuclear bunker buried some 80ft underground. Complete with kitchen, dormitories, power and filtration plant, plotting floor, government administration room, communication and scientists room. Tel: 01277 364883 www.secretnuclearbunker.co.uk 3. St Laurence Church Blackmore This church was part of the Augustinian priory founded on this site in 1170. Following the dissolution of the priory in 1527, it was remodelled retaining much of its history and atmosphere. The 15 th century wooden tower is famous for its unique pagoda design, constructed with three storeys from local oak. The architectural historian Sir Nikolaus Pevsner described it as “one of the most impressive, if not the most impressive of all timber towers of England.” Tel: 01277 822527 4. Mountnessing Windmill It is probably one of the best known windmills in Essex as it is located near the busy A12. It is a weather-boarded post mill built in 1807 and was one of the first to be preserved for posterity. It was restored to full working order in 1983. See the huge wood and iron gears, with one pair of stones opened up for viewing. Subject to wind, guided groups may be able to see the sails turning. Tel: 07887 662177 5. Ingatestone Hall Ingatestone Hall is the ancestral home of the Petre family and was built in 1540 by Sir William Petre, Secretary of State to four Tudor monarchs. It is set in 11 acres of grounds with formal garden and wild walks. The Hall continues to be home to the Petre family. Amongst interesting things to see are the two priests’ hiding places as well as furniture, portraits and family memorabilia accumulated over the centuries. Tel: 01277 353010 www.ingatestonehall.com Images: 1 Ingatestone Hall 3 Greensted Church 2 Stock Windmill 4 North Weald Airfield Museum Other useful information www.visitessex.com www.visitessex.com For detailed travel information call 0871 200 2233 or visit www.traveline.org.uk 1 2 3 4