Great Easton: Timber-Framed Buildings, Church and Paths in the Chelmer Valley

Landscape of the Chelmer Valley

Great Easton lies on higher ground and offers fine views across the Chelmer Valley. Great Easton Motte Castle stands on a broad, south-facing spur overlooking the valley of the River Chelmer. The Chelmer Valley provides a landscape reference point, while the spur pinpoints the location of the castle site. Both Great Easton’s elevated setting and the motte’s southern orientation help explain its location.

Historic village centre and buildings

The historic village centre around the church on the hilltop is designated as a Conservation Area. This area includes listed buildings, trees, the churchyard, green spaces and archaeological features. The existing Conservation Area in Great Easton includes 16 listed buildings. Great Easton Motte Castle is designated as a Scheduled Monument (SM No. 1017468). The Bridgefoot property near the River Chelmer is also designated as a Grade II* Listed Building. These are different forms of protection: for the historic village centre, individual buildings and the castle site as a monument.

St John and St Giles

The parish church of St John and St Giles is listed as a Grade II* building. Its nave is Norman, the chancel dates from the 13th century, and Roman bricks are built into the walls. The building brings together several historical elements: a Norman nave, a medieval chancel and bricks of Roman origin. The church has a fine peal of bells, regularly rung by a dedicated team. For travellers interested in church architecture, the building’s form, materials and bells offer different points of interest.

Great Easton Hall, west of the church, is also a timber-framed building, dated to the 15th/16th century. The Swan Public House is a plastered timber-framed building dating from around 1400. It retains remains of a passage hall, a crown-post roof and the ceiling beams of a cross-wing. Together, the two buildings offer a comparison in date: Great Easton Hall dates from the 15th/16th century, while The Swan dates from around 1400. At The Swan, specific architectural features add detail to the general description of it as a timber-framed building.

Compare two named routes

The Hundred Parishes Walk 163 is 3.9 miles long and follows paths and lanes between Little Easton and Great Easton. The Hundred Parishes Walk 321 covers 3.0 miles, starts at Great Easton Village Hall and visits Duton Hill. The stated route lengths differ by 0.9 miles. Their reference points also differ: Walk 163 is described by its two villages and route type, while Walk 321 is described by its start at the Village Hall and visit to Duton Hill. Both route listings were updated on 15 June 2026; check conditions before setting out.

Note about the western approach

Another planning consideration concerns access to Great Easton from the west. After heavy rain, flooding can disrupt this approach. If you are travelling from the west, take this weather-dependent restriction into account and check current conditions after heavy rain.

Discover more destinations: Loughton, Elsenham, Stebbing, Bulmer, Broxted, Chelmsford, Tolleshunt Knights, Castle Hedingham.

For the overview of the wider area: Essex.