Visit to Grange Barn and walking tour of Coggeshall. 3rd October 2025

A unique opportunity to have a personal guided tour of The Grange Barn and a personalised tour of Coggeshall by a member of the Coggeshall Historical Group.

The beautiful Grade I listed Grange Barn in Essex is one of the oldest agricultural buildings in Europe. It was built 800 years ago to serve the farms of nearby Coggeshall Abbey and has since been used by generations of farmers. It is one of the triumphs of medieval British vernacular architecture, with a weatherboarded building stretching 130 feet long and 45 feet wide. The massive roof is supported by an elaborate system of timber posts and beams, with six interior bays with aisles. Oak pillars soar up to a cathedral-like roof, which is covered in simple red tiles made by hand. There is also with a display explaining the history of the Barn, as well as a collection of woodworking tools used by a local craftsman.

Though technically a market town, Coggeshall has earned its place as one of Essex’s prettiest villages through numerous accolades, including Best Kept Village in Essex (1998, 2001-2003) and Village of the Year (2003). This medieval market town has maintained its weekly market tradition since the 13th century.

Coggeshall can be dated back to an early Saxon settlement. There is evidence of a Roman villa or settlement before then and the town lies on Stane Street, which may have been built on a much earlier track. Roman coins dating from 31 BC to AD 395 have been found in the area and Coggeshall has been considered the site of a Roman station mentioned in the Itineraries of Antoninus. Coggeshall is situated at a ford of the River Blackwater, part of another path running from the Blackwater Valley to the Colne Valley. Where these paths crossed a settlement started. The area around Coggeshall has been settled since the Mesolithic period.

Please note that the event is limited to 20 persons for Heath and safety reasons.

Itinerary.

Arrive and park at Grange barn for 10.30 am where there is ample free parking. The address is: Grange Hill, Coggeshall, Colchester, Essex, CO6 1RE. (there is a toilet at the barn, but no other facilities)

There will be two guides one for the Grange Barn and one for the walking tour.

The attendees will be split into two groups:

Group 1 will have a tour of Grange barn.

Group 2 will do the walking tour of Coggeshall with a visit to St Nicholas Chapel and a visit to Coggeshall Museum.

After approx 45/50mins the groups will swop guides.

The tour of Grange barn will be free to National Trust members and non members, however a donation by non members would be appreciated .

The cost of the walking tour is £3 per person payable on the day.

After the tours are finished, why not take a short stroll to Paycockes House and garden which was built in 1509 and is a fine example of a Tudor Merchants House for refreshments in the Cafe.

Other eating establishment’s nearby are:-

Bakealicious Tea Room

Chapel Inn

The White Hart Hotel

Ranfields Brasserie- ( may need to book beforehand)