Small villages, hamlets and farmsteads

Small villages, hamlets and farmsteads are key to defining character in Uttlesford. Found across all areas of the district, they provide a transition from settlements to the open countryside. They often comprise of small groups of housing, and the occasional community facility such as churches, bed and breakfasts, and village halls often located away from any buildings.

Some small castle remains also survive from the Norman conquest in smaller villages, e.g. Great Canfield, and some early domestic buildings such as Little Chesterford Manor (a remarkable and rare stone secular building from the C13).

The District has some major concentrations of pre- 1550 and pre-1750 farmstead buildings. Early (pre- 1750) farm buildings (predominantly barns) are found particularly concentrated across the claylands of the Northern part of the District.

A distinctive characteristic of the small villages and hamlets (and wider larger settlement types) is the concentration of timber-framed aisled barns dating from the 12th to the 19th century. Many are the result of a massive rebuilding programme underway between 1550 and 1650.

Small villages and hamlets in Uttlesford highlighted in brown
Small villages and hamlets in Uttlesford highlighted in brown

Small villages, hamlets, and farmsteads built form design cues                                                                                                                                              

Typical farmstead built form layout at Duck End Cottage.
Typical farmstead built form layout at Duck End Cottage.
Colville Hall in Uttlesford with Thatched roofs, timber frames, and jettying.
Colville Hall in Uttlesford with Thatched roofs, timber frames, and jettying.
The Axe pub uses rural materials while maintaining its function as a key landmark within Aythorpe Roding.
The Axe pub uses rural materials while maintaining its function as a key landmark within Aythorpe Roding.
Typical Uttlesford farmstead arrangement in a hamlet near Hempstead.
Typical Uttlesford farmstead arrangement in a hamlet near Hempstead.
Individual single-storey stables at Brookend Farm Stables. Central two-storey block - built with red brick, projecting wings and gabled tile roof.
Individual single-storey stables at Brookend Farm Stables. Central two-storey block - built with red brick, projecting wings and gabled tile roof.
Ivy clad 19th Century Farmhouse on Friars Lane contains strong farmland views in a natural rural setting.
Ivy clad 19th Century Farmhouse on Friars Lane contains strong farmland views in a natural rural setting.
Thatched cottages with pastel facades in Duddenhoe End.
Thatched cottages with pastel facades in Duddenhoe End.
Local farmstead vernacular (black weatherboarding, peg tiled roof and flint wall) in Baconend Green.
Local farmstead vernacular (black weatherboarding, peg tiled roof and flint wall) in Baconend Green.
Cottage in the east of the district incorporating several influences from traditional Uttlesford typologies.
Cottage in the east of the district incorporating several influences from traditional Uttlesford typologies.
Working farm in Uttlesford with tradtional building typologies and vernacular.
Working farm in Uttlesford with tradtional building typologies and vernacular.
Modern example of house extension in Little Bardfield using local materials such as flint and white weatherboarding.
Modern example of house extension in Little Bardfield using local materials such as flint and white weatherboarding.
Vernacular contrast of past and present industrial farm built forms in Uttlesford.
Vernacular contrast of past and present industrial farm built forms in Uttlesford.

Small villages, hamlets, and farmsteads public realm design cues

Trees enclose and overhang rural lanes in Uttlesford.
Trees enclose and overhang rural lanes in Uttlesford.
Windbreaker trees provide vertical emphasis and frame a view of the church in Little Bardfield.
Windbreaker trees provide vertical emphasis and frame a view of the church in Little Bardfield.
The Bull pub aids legibility and is framed by the green space in Langley.
The Bull pub aids legibility and is framed by the green space in Langley.
Public rights of way across fields connect visitors with the landscape.
Public rights of way across fields connect visitors with the landscape.
Post box located along protected rural lane in Uttlesford.
Post box located along protected rural lane in Uttlesford.
Ancient woodland characterises the landscape in Birchanger.
Ancient woodland characterises the landscape in Birchanger.
Sense of arrival at Orford Hall.
Sense of arrival at Orford Hall.
A smooth transition between the built form and the public realm in Lindsend.
A smooth transition between the built form and the public realm in Lindsend.
Farm complex bisected by the lane in Baconend.
Farm complex bisected by the lane in Baconend.
Sports facilities are often found in the middle of the open countryside providing a picturesque setting for community activity.
Sports facilities are often found in the middle of the open countryside providing a picturesque setting for community activity.
Juxtaposition of open countryside and copses of trees woodland.
Juxtaposition of open countryside and copses of trees woodland.
Valley topography frames a view of the open countryside in Broxted.
Valley topography frames a view of the open countryside in Broxted.

Page updated: 20/07/2023

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