Villages

Villages are the dominant settlement type in Uttlesford. They perform a key function in the borough, linking all settlements to the rural landscape. They often comprise of small scale housing, minor public spaces, and occasional community facilities such as facilities and public houses.

Steeped in history the borough contains a range of settlements with evidence of Saxon occupation such as Littlebury and Berden.

Villages including Wendens Ambo, Quendon, Hadstock and Ashdon have developed from a church/hall complex, while towards the centre of the district is Great Easton which is centred on a Norman Motte.

Small nucleated settlements like High Easter, and Elmdon have a rich mix of C16-C18 properties with the latter experiencing some ribbon development. Medieval and post-medieval development is evidenced throughout villages in Uttlesford with building materials, landscape features and settlement structure reminding the district of its illustrious past.

Villages in Uttlesford highlighted in blue
Villages in Uttlesford highlighted in blue

Villages built form design cues

Timber framed cottage with peg tiled roof overlooking Bannister Green. Low hedged boundary treatment integrated with informal shared space.
Timber framed cottage with peg tiled roof overlooking Bannister Green. Low hedged boundary treatment integrated with informal shared space.
Thatched roof with pargetting and Almshouse massing along B1053, Great Sampford.
Thatched roof with pargetting and Almshouse massing along B1053, Great Sampford.
Red brick Victorian terraces with central chimney and historic wall light on Birchanger Lane.
Red brick Victorian terraces with central chimney and historic wall light on Birchanger Lane.
Mid 19th century terraces of flint-faced dwellings create distinctive village character in Wendens Ambo.
Mid 19th century terraces of flint-faced dwellings create distinctive village character in Wendens Ambo.
Flint Cottages with red brick quoins on the High Street at Widdington.
Flint Cottages with red brick quoins on the High Street at Widdington.
St. James chapel in Sewards End comrpises of a semi-hexagonal apse and fourlegged belfry with fleche.
St. James chapel in Sewards End comrpises of a semi-hexagonal apse and fourlegged belfry with fleche.
Peg tiled roof, sash, pilasters and dormer windows with soft boundary treatment at B1039, Wendens Ambo.
Peg tiled roof, sash, pilasters and dormer windows with soft boundary treatment at B1039, Wendens Ambo.
A series of front-gables with symmterical windows and chimney stacks adds an ornate character to this property in Wicken Bonhunt.
A series of front-gables with symmterical windows and chimney stacks adds an ornate character to this property in Wicken Bonhunt.
Homes overlooking the water in Henham add to the peaceful character of the village.
Homes overlooking the water in Henham add to the peaceful character of the village.
Almshouses in Radwinter - Three gabled porches project on the front. Roofs tiled, with 4 chimney stacks each and casement windows.
Almshouses in Radwinter - Three gabled porches project on the front. Roofs tiled, with 4 chimney stacks each and casement windows.
Red-brick terraces, front facing timber framed gables, and pargetted dwellings create variety yet coherence in Hatfield Broad Oak.
Red-brick terraces, front facing timber framed gables, and pargetted dwellings create variety yet coherence in Hatfield Broad Oak.
Black weatherboarded barn with peg tiled roof demonstrates character at the smallest scale in Elmdon.
Black weatherboarded barn with peg tiled roof demonstrates character at the smallest scale in Elmdon.

Villages public realm design cues

Gateway green space with attractive landscaping and landmark proprety celebrates the arrival experience in Hempstead.
Gateway green space with attractive landscaping and landmark proprety celebrates the arrival experience in Hempstead.
Mature trees along the west side of the B1383 in Quendon add scale to the streetscene and frame the view to the north.
Mature trees along the west side of the B1383 in Quendon add scale to the streetscene and frame the view to the north.
Curved street and weatherboarding creates horizontal desire lines through The Street, Manuden.
Curved street and weatherboarding creates horizontal desire lines through The Street, Manuden.
Mature trees animating green verge and separating footpath from street at Cage End, Hatfield Broad Oak.
Mature trees animating green verge and separating footpath from street at Cage End, Hatfield Broad Oak.
Mature trees animating grass verges and creating enclosure along the High Street, Debden.
Mature trees animating grass verges and creating enclosure along the High Street, Debden.
Intimacy and enclosure along Penham Road, Clavering before arriving at a key destination.
Intimacy and enclosure along Penham Road, Clavering before arriving at a key destination.
Footbridge leading to open space safely integrates users with both the landscape with the street scene, Clavering.
Footbridge leading to open space safely integrates users with both the landscape with the street scene, Clavering.
Strong sense of enclosure, continuous frontage and setbacks along the High Street, Stebbing.
Strong sense of enclosure, continuous frontage and setbacks along the High Street, Stebbing.
Water creates tranquillity at Horse Ponds in Little Easton lapping to the side of the road, trickling over weirs or reflecting the sky glimpsed through the many mature trees.
Water creates tranquillity at Horse Ponds in Little Easton lapping to the side of the road, trickling over weirs or reflecting the sky glimpsed through the many mature trees.
Bridges to homes over swales and green verges on the Main Street, Arkesden.
Bridges to homes over swales and green verges on the Main Street, Arkesden.
Public right of way links Birchanger to the nearby Stansted Airport.
Public right of way links Birchanger to the nearby Stansted Airport.
Bridge over the River Pant lined with mature trees creates sense of arrival upon entering Great Sampford.
Bridge over the River Pant lined with mature trees creates sense of arrival upon entering Great Sampford.

Page updated: 20/07/2023

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