Ongar: Historic Townscape, Walking Routes and Hotels

Ongar combines a historic townscape with walking routes and the Epping Ongar Railway. If you are looking for a hotel for your stay, you can choose according to your interests: Chipping Ongar can be explored through its buildings and street layout, while walking routes and the railway offer further perspectives on the town and its surroundings.

Historic Townscape in Chipping Ongar

Chipping Ongar has more than 100 listed buildings and other structures. The character and layout of the historic town centre have changed little since the Middle Ages. Both individual buildings and the town’s layout are therefore significant to Ongar’s history. Ongar Castle is designated as a Scheduled Monument. The remains of the motte-and-bailey castle in Chipping Ongar have been preserved.

The route of the former medieval town walls can be traced around the Pleasance car park and along Castle Street. The former marketplace is still identifiable as the widest section of the High Street, between Wren House and Manor House. The High Street also offers a series of attractive sightlines. When exploring, both the route of the former fortifications and the street’s shape and sightlines help you find your way around the townscape.

St Martin’s Church is just a short walk from Ongar High Street. Its nave and chancel date from the 11th century; the church also has a Norman tower. The nave is the main part of the church interior, while the chancel is the adjoining area around the altar. This helps distinguish the church’s historic features and its tower.

Walking Routes and the Epping Ongar Railway

Several local walking routes start from North Weald and Ongar stations. If you are looking for a starting point for a walk, both stations are relevant. The Essex Way passes through Ongar and crosses roads there, making the town a suitable starting or joining point for the route. The options therefore differ in their connections: the local walking routes start from the stations, while Ongar is a possible starting or finishing point for the Essex Way.

The Epping Ongar Railway runs steam and diesel locomotives between the villages of Ongar and North Weald and into Epping Forest. During the day, historic London buses regularly connect the Epping Ongar Railway with the London Underground at Epping and train services operated by Greater Anglia and the Elizabeth line at Shenfield. If you include the railway in your plans, these connections are useful reference points for linking up with other transport services. Ongar station is a Grade II listed building. The railway also operates an onboard restaurant serving street food and cream teas.

Your choice between local history, walking and the railway depends on the focus of your stay. For an architecture-focused visit, the historic town centre and St Martin’s Church offer specific points of interest. For walking, North Weald and Ongar stations and the route of the Essex Way are different reference points; the Epping Ongar Railway adds a train journey and the bus connections mentioned above to these options.

Discover more destinations: Little Waltham, Halstead, Chigwell, Harwich, Chelmsford, Colchester, Jaywick, Stock.

For the broader travel overview: Essex.