Key Rural Settlements

A number of significant medieval towns developed in the District. Those that grew are the key settlements of Uttlesford today, i.e. Saffron Walden, Great Dunmow and Stansted Mountfitchet. Others that did not see the same level of development have retained much of their original medieval extent and appearance, e.g. Thaxted and Newport.

This chapter will explore:

  • Thaxted
  • Elsenham
  • Newport
  • Takeley
  • Great Chesterford
  • Felsted
  • Hatfield Heath
Key Rural Settlements in Uttlesford highlighted in pink.
Key Rural Settlements in Uttlesford highlighted in pink.

Thaxted

Thaxted was one of the most prosperous towns in Essex in the C14 and C15 as a result of the cutlery industry, vying in business importance with Saffron Walden. The late medieval wealth is reflected in the surviving historic building stock which includes the large Church and the Guildhall is positioned at the head of Town Street which is on the main street of the town.

Elsenham

Elsenham was a smaller settlement with Roman origins (a rich burial site is located to the east of the village). Although Elsenham is the one of the larger modern settlements it only developed in the second half of the 20th century and as result doesn’t have a clear focus. The church lies outside the village near the Hall around which, in the post-medieval period, a landscaped park was developed.

Newport

Newport has its origins in the Saxon period as a royal manor with a market. It developed along the High Street and around the church where most of the important buildings in the town are located as a result of the market-based economy in the medieval period alongside the wool trade and saffron cultivation.

Takeley

Takeley is located in the south of the Uttlesford District and is home to more than 5,000 people. The town only developed in the C20 and much of the parish is covered by Stansted Airport. The most interesting buildings are found along Takeley Street where a cluster of medieval (C15-C17) and Victorian properties are found.

Great Chesterford

Home to 1,750 people and located in the low chalk hills, Great Chesterford has its origins in the Late Iron Age, but it is primarily known as a Roman settlement. The medieval town grew to the south of the Roman town and expanded little in the post-medieval period, but there are several attractive timber-framed houses in the village from this period.

Felsted and Flitch Green

Felsted and Flitch Green are located in the south of the Uttlesford District and are home to more than 3,000 people. Felsted is another notable settlement and is dominated by the buildings and grounds of the school and has as a good group of timber framed buildings (many associated with the school) close to the sizeable church. The large area of open space associated with the school is an important part of the village’s character. Modern development is largely limited to the new housing estate of Oakwood Park on the edge of the town which is now known as Flitch Green.

Hatfield Heath

The Parish of Hatfield Heath is a rural community where there are 44 listed buildings or groups of listed buildings, including the Grade II* Down Hall. Just to the north of the village is Camp 116, a Second World War prisoner-of-war camp on Mill Lane which has recently been included on the Local Heritage List for Uttlesford. Originally a hamlet, it grew because of its proximity to main roads and developed a series of hostelries and ale houses in the C17 and C18.

Key Rural Settlements built form design cues

Red brick terraces with barn doors opening onto Wicken Road, Newport.
Red brick terraces with barn doors opening onto Wicken Road, Newport.
Thaxted Surgery uses varied roof forms and pitches to compliment the character of the town.
Thaxted Surgery uses varied roof forms and pitches to compliment the character of the town.
Modern shopfront design integrated into historic built form - Braintree Road, Felsted.
Modern shopfront design integrated into historic built form - Braintree Road, Felsted.
Single storey timber framed terrace houses decline in line with topography creating variation and interest to the street scene in Newport.
Single storey timber framed terrace houses decline in line with topography creating variation and interest to the street scene in Newport.
Grade II listed Bury Farm Barn, Felsted, with a restored weatherboarded timber framed and Queen post roof structure.
Grade II listed Bury Farm Barn, Felsted, with a restored weatherboarded timber framed and Queen post roof structure.
Red brick mill conversion into non-residential uses while retaining historic facade details in Hatfield Heath.
Red brick mill conversion into non-residential uses while retaining historic facade details in Hatfield Heath.
Dormer windows on the 17th Century thatched cottage in Takeley.
Dormer windows on the 17th Century thatched cottage in Takeley.
Along the high street in Elsenham is The Crown Inn (dating back to the 17th century), detailed with typical pargetting.
Along the high street in Elsenham is The Crown Inn (dating back to the 17th century), detailed with typical pargetting.
Peg tiled roof, pargetting, dormer windows, central chimeny and black weatherboarding Dunmow Road, Takeley.
Peg tiled roof, pargetting, dormer windows, central chimeny and black weatherboarding Dunmow Road, Takeley.
Simple brick flats with slate roofs at Kings Granary and Eggary, Great Chesterford- historic links to the mill and with this part of the community’s industrial heritage.
Simple brick flats with slate roofs at Kings Granary and Eggary, Great Chesterford- historic links to the mill and with this part of the community’s industrial heritage.
Grade I listed Guildhall in Thaxted, ground floor forms open flagged market house with open timber ceiling, and heavy cross beams.
Grade I listed Guildhall in Thaxted, ground floor forms open flagged market house with open timber ceiling, and heavy cross beams.
Historic street lighting, accompanied by street trees on green verges separating footpaths from the road along Bridge End, Newport.
Historic street lighting, accompanied by street trees on green verges separating footpaths from the road along Bridge End, Newport.

Key Rural Settlements public realm design cues

Paths wind through the farmland landscape to the backdrop of historic landmarks, John Webb windmill and St. John the Baptist with Our Lady and St. Laurence.
Paths wind through the farmland landscape to the backdrop of historic landmarks, John Webb windmill and St. John the Baptist with Our Lady and St. Laurence.
Consistent yet varied rooflines with wide footpaths for pedestrians on the B184, Thaxted.
Consistent yet varied rooflines with wide footpaths for pedestrians on the B184, Thaxted.
Trees play an important role in the High Street scene in Great Chesterford with vertical emphasis and visual focal points from public view points.
Trees play an important role in the High Street scene in Great Chesterford with vertical emphasis and visual focal points from public view points.
Shared space, with strong vernacular street character in Beehive Court, Hatfield Heath.
Shared space, with strong vernacular street character in Beehive Court, Hatfield Heath.
Curved High Street in Thaxted with coloured render moving uphill creates sense of anticipation.
Curved High Street in Thaxted with coloured render moving uphill creates sense of anticipation.
Elsenham High Street landmark and street furniture is surrounded by a variety of landscaping and varying forms of distinctive architecture.
Elsenham High Street landmark and street furniture is surrounded by a variety of landscaping and varying forms of distinctive architecture.
Historic street lighting, accompanied by street trees on elevated green verges separating footpaths from the road along Bridge End, Newport.
Historic street lighting, accompanied by street trees on elevated green verges separating footpaths from the road along Bridge End, Newport.
The Flitch Way embraces features of the old railway line while enclosed with mature trees between Takeley and Little Canfield.
The Flitch Way embraces features of the old railway line while enclosed with mature trees between Takeley and Little Canfield.
Large trees animate green verges shielding homes from the A1060, Hatfield Heath. Consistent use of white fence posts creates further coherence.
Large trees animate green verges shielding homes from the A1060, Hatfield Heath. Consistent use of white fence posts creates further coherence.
Street trees and footpaths separated by green verge on the High Street, Newport.
Street trees and footpaths separated by green verge on the High Street, Newport.
Pedestrians encouraged along wide pavements to the backdrop of historic terraces and Holy Cross Church on Chelmsford Road, Felsted.
Pedestrians encouraged along wide pavements to the backdrop of historic terraces and Holy Cross Church on Chelmsford Road, Felsted.
Holy Cross Church visible through mature tree lines at the top of station hill pulls visitors to the centre of Felsted.
Holy Cross Church visible through mature tree lines at the top of station hill pulls visitors to the centre of Felsted.

Page updated: 20/07/2023

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