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Essex -
Places of Interest
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Cressing Temple Barns
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Witham Road, Braintree, Essex CM7 8PD
Tel: 01376 584903
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The 13th century wheat and barley barns at
Cressing Temple are of unequalled national
and international importance being the finest remaining pair of medieval barns
in Europe.
The Manor of Cressing was granted to the
Order of the Knights Templar in 1137 by Matilda, wife of King Stephen, and the
barns were built during this period. In 1312 the Knights Templar were disbanded
and the manor of Cressing was given to another religious order, the Knights
Hospitaller.
In 1381, during the Peasants' Revolt,
Cressing Temple was attacked and the buildings pulled down, but the barns were
not touched. The estate was then leased to John Edmondes in 1515 and later to
Sir John Smyth. He probably built the great house that was once on the site.
This was demolished in the 16th century although the Tudor granary and walled
garden still remain.
An exhibition located in one half of the
wheat barn explains the history of the manor and the Templars, how the barns
were built and how the other buildings fit into the wider context of the
regional timber-framed building tradition.
A Tudor garden has been recreated in the 16th
century walled garden. The garden features knot gardens, a flowery mead, a
nosegay garden and physic plant area. Special attractions include a fount, a
pool watered by a rill, an arbour and a viewing platform set at the same height
as the original Tudor terrace. A new visitor centre houses a shop and
restaurant.
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 This
entry is in the Country Living Guide to East Anglia.
For further
information on this title please
Click Here
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Travel Publishing Ltd, 7a Apollo House, Calleva Park,
Aldermaston, Berkshire, UK RG7 8TN
e-mail:
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Copyright © 2006 Travel Publishing Ltd |
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