Great Dunmow – History, Timber-Framed Buildings and Flitch Trials

You can get to know Great Dunmow through its local history and recurring traditions. The museum, timber-framed buildings and Dunmow Flitch Trials each offer a different perspective; the weekly open-air market adds a regular event. When looking for a hotel, you can first consider whether cultural history, a particular market day, or a cycling and walking trip is important to your travel plans.

Museum and historic buildings

The Great Dunmow Museum is devoted to the social history and economic development of Dunmow and the surrounding area. It is housed in a rare, small timber-framed malthouse, large parts of which date from the 16th century. The museum brings together the development of the area and the history of a historic building. For travellers interested in local context, this connection offers a tangible way into the town’s history.

Other aspects take centre stage in the streetscape. The High Street is lined with medieval timber-framed buildings. The Old Town Hall is a former town hall and guildhall; its features include a plastered timber frame and an off-centre bell cupola. The combination of medieval timber framing along the street and the construction of the Old Town Hall adds architectural history to the social and economic perspective.

The Dunmow Flitch Trials and their history

Harrison Ainsworth revived the Dunmow Flitch Trials in 1855. Since the end of the Second World War, they have regularly been held every four years in a leap year. The year 1855 marks their revival; the regular four-year cycle dates from the end of the war. If you want to plan your stay around the Trials, check the event dates for your travel dates.

Flitch Way, weekly market and travel planning

The Flitch Way is a cycling and walking route through Flitch Way Country Park. It follows a former railway line between Braintree and Bishop’s Stortford. This route differs from the local history themes: the Flitch Way focuses on its route and endpoints, the museum on social and economic development, and the buildings on architectural form and former function. If you are considering cycling or walking as well as local history, you can weigh these interests separately when planning your trip. The general open-air market is held every Tuesday, so unlike the Trials, it takes place weekly.

Great Dunmow is served by bus route 133, which runs between Stansted Airport and Braintree. If you are considering this connection for your journey, check the current timetable for your travel date. Talliston House & Gardens is a private house with gardens and is not open to the public. Advance booking is required for all guests.

Discover more destinations: Tiptree, Woodham Ferrers, Great Baddow, Tolleshunt Knights, Boxted, West Mersea, Nazeing, Theydon Bois

For the wider travel overview: Essex.