Step back in time. High Ongar whispers tales from centuries past. Before us stands High Ongar a village and civil parish in Essex. High Ongar boasts a history stretching back to the Middle Ages. It was then likely just a tiny hamlet. However High Ongar blossomed into a village by the start of the 17th century.
Picture this. High Ongar’s oldest surviving home. It’s a timber-framed weather-boarded building. It stands east of the church. Known as Post Office Cottages it dates back to the late 16th or early 17th century. Legend says part of it served as a lock-up. A place to temporarily hold those who broke the law.
The heart of High Ongar is St Mary the Virgin church. This Grade I listed building dates to the mid-12th century. It has seen extensive restoration and extensions. Thomas Chase a former Lord Chancellor of Ireland and Chancellor of Oxford spent his final years here as vicar. His legacy still echoes within these ancient walls.
High Ongar’s charm lies in its conservation area. Note the other listed buildings. There’s High Ongar Primary School dating back to 1871. The Forrester’s Arms reflects the late 18th century. Even the Cucina Italiana restaurant stands in a building with history. It was formerly The Red Lion a mid-17th-century establishment. Nearby stands Sanuk Thai restaurant housed in a building once the Rectory built in 1767 by Edward Earle. High Ongar’s past and present intermingle seamlessly.
More historical clues? Look closely at the Blacksmith’s cottages. These late-17th century buildings. They represent the skilled trades that once flourished in High Ongar. The village grew. In 1801 High Ongar had 741 inhabitants. This number grew steadily reaching 1126 by 1821. High Ongar continued to thrive even through the changing centuries.
High Ongar tells a story of growth change and resilience. A village that thrived. A community that persevered. High Ongar is more than just a village. It’s a living testament to the enduring spirit of England’s history. A history you are now a part of.