If you’re looking for an underrated but pretty place to visit in Essex, look no further than Coggeshall. This small market town boasts listed buildings, meandering streets and even some slightly dark history.
So it turns out that when your boyfriend is a wedding photographer, you have plenty of chances to visit and stay in some of the most random towns around the UK. Many of which you’d never heard of or even considered visiting before!
The first town I discovered – tagging along with my boyfriend when he had a wedding to shoot – was Coggeshall. I knew little about this place before I visited, but I chose to accompany my boyfriend for one reason and one reason only: he was staying in what was supposed to be the most haunted hotel in Essex. How could I say no?
This charming town is also the first of what I hope to be many blog posts based on random pretty towns around the UK. Though it’s small, I think Coggeshall is the perfect place for a laid-back weekend break, particularly for visitors looking to explore nearby places like Colchester, Braintree and Chelmsford too.
All About Coggeshall
Coggeshall is in Essex, right between Colchester and Braintree, and dates back to an early Saxon settlement. It has a population of just under 4,000 and is best known for its wool and cloth trade history. Many people visit this quaint town to visit its many historic sites, and its market whose charter was granted in 1256 by King Henry III.
It’s under a two-hour drive from London. There are two car parking sites in Coggeshall: Stoneham Street Car Park and 29 Stoneham Street Parking. Everything is within walking distance, so public transport is not necessary.
What’s in Coggeshall?
If you’re wondering about the top things to do in Coggeshall, look no further. Top attractions include Coggeshall Clock House and Clock Tower, Coggeshall Museum and Markshall Estate. There are also two National Trust buildings: Grange Barn and Paycocke’s House and Garden. The town is home to over 200 grade-listed buildings, but unfortunately not many are open to the public.
That being said, there are many of these beautiful historic houses to be spotted when exploring this pretty town. There are three guided walks to take to see some of these buildings, and a fair few pubs to drink in, each boasting lots of history too.
Read more: Why Cheltenham Is the Perfect Pick for a Cotswolds City Break
Where to stay in Coggeshall
Coggeshall is a small place with only three or so places to stay – all of which are pubs! The four-star Woolpack Inn is beautiful inside and out, with modern rooms that maintain the character and original features of the building. The Woolpack Inn is right in the heart of the town. The Kings Arms (three-star) is just outside the centre of Coggeshall, surrounded by beautiful countryside,
We stayed in the lovely and characteristic (and haunted!) The White Hart Hotel, which was budget-friendly to book and eat in, being a Greene King. Though parts of the building’s decor is very dated, the classic building is fascinating to explore, with crooked corridors and old timber beams. It’s clearly a three-star hotel – you get what you pay for – but if you’re looking for somewhere with charm and character, The White Hart Hotel is a good choice.
Fun fact: the triangle section of land between Bridge Street and The Gravel is known as The Shambles! It was once the site of both butcher’s stalls and a fish market.
Two Days in Coggeshall: Itinerary
As I said before, Coggeshall is very small, so you don’t need longer than two nights/days here really. Everything is within walking distance too. But because it’s so close to other great places in Essex, it’s the perfect base to explore these. Coggeshall is ideal for a slow and simple charming break, the kind where you take the time to really drink in a town, rather than rushing around to explore every attraction in the area. Here’s a suggested itinerary for two days in Coggleshall.
Day One – Morning
Once you arrive in Coggeshall, head straight to the Clock Tower to see the prettiest view of the town. With colourful bunting hung above the street and a view of Market Hill, it’s a pretty spot. Make sure to grab a leaflet ‘A Guide to Coggeshall’, which includes lots of information about all the buildings in the town and three walks. Next, head over to Coggeshall Museum to learn more about the town’s rich history and historic buildings.
Grab lunch from Cafe Bijou (I recommend their toasties: delicious!) and either eat in whilst chatting with the lovely owners or take it to go for your walk.
Day One – Afternoon
Take a guided walk around Coggeshall, picking from one of three short perimeter walks found in the leaflet you collected in the morning. Choose from:
- Walk to Nunn’s Bridge, returning to Market Hill (2.4 miles)
- Short walk to St.Nicholas Chapel and the Abbey, returning to Market Hill (1.4 miles)
- Longer walk to the Abbey and Pointwell Mill, returning to Market Hill (2.1 miles)
If you have time during or after your walk, pop into Grange Barn. It may not look like much from the outside, but it’s actually one of Europe’s oldest timber-framed buildings! There’s also a secondhand bookshop to browse too.
Day One – Evening
Grab a dinner and a drink at one of Coggeshall many pubs and marvel at the fact that you’re hotel will only likely be a 30-second walk back – there’s no need for a designated driver! The Chapel Inn is vibrant and serves tasty food, and hosts lots of events such as comedy shows and band nights. Across the road, The White Hart offers a welcoming atmosphere with locals to chat with and affordable pub grub. The building dates back to 1675 when it was once a coaching inn. Do chat to the bar staff and locals about the town’s fascinating history though – they have plenty of stories to share!
After your fill, head to bed. Staying in The White Hart like we did? You might want to have an extra couple of drinks in their bar before heading up. As I said before, it’s supposedly the most haunted hotel in Essex…
Day Two – Morning
If you survived your night in the haunted hotel without too many spooks, either grab breakfast at The White Hart or Bakealicious Tea Room along Market Hill. Take a slow stroll over to Paycockes House and admire the architecture of the buildings as you do. You’ll also pass a couple of charity shops on Market End, which are worth visiting.
Then it’s time for a visit to the very historic Paycockes House and Garden. You can only enter the house with a guided tour which costs £9.00 (or is free for National Trust members!), but it’s free to enter the garden, tea room and small bookshop. There’s a lot to learn about this stunning Tudor merchant’s house though, so I’d recommend the tour!
Day Two – Afternoon
After your tour, take a short drive to the nearby Markshall Estate. These beautifully landscaped gardens offer an arboretum, lakes, wood walks and a play area. There’s plenty to see and enjoy on the large estate of over 2,000 acres of ancient woodland – the Honywood Oak tree, which is 800 years old! Admission is just £8.00.
Occasionally, parts of the estate close for weddings. Although there’s still so much to see, an alternative option for your second afternoon in Coggeshall is to take a trip into Colchester and visit Colchester Castle.
Day Two – Evening
After an enjoyable afternoon spent exploring Markshall Estate, head back to Coggeshall. On your way back to the heart of the town, stop at the Woolpack Inn for dinner. The Woolpack Inn was built in the 15th century, becoming a licensed inn way back in 1708.
If you’ve got time, take a short stroll around the stunning St Peter ad Vincula Church just next door. It’s the third-largest church in Essex!
After a lovely two days in Coggeshall, head home or continue your trip to one of the nearby bigger towns. We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Coggeshall and felt that this charming town left a good impression on us. Despite being small, with not many ‘attractions’, I quickly found my days filled with stuff to do, without feeling overwhelmed! Coggeshall is also the type of place you can just enjoy and soak in the atmosphere.
Coggeshall
www.visitessex.com
Coggeshall, Essex, CO6 1UH
Town type: Historic, Market Town, Quaint
No Comments