Thaxted

Thaxted must be one of the most picturesque villages in Essex. At least it is in my opinion - ever since I've ended here by incident when I was looking for a shortcut to our new home not long after we've moved in a town nearby.
Thaxted has already been mentioned in the Doomsday book of 1086 and there are still enough very buildings in the town to prove that is indeed a very old settlement.

The old Guildhall dates back to the 14th century and can be found right in the town centre. It has been built by the masters of the Cutlers Guilt and now belongs to the local council. Apparently there is a small exhibition inside but this is open only on weekends in the afternoon.

If you take Stoney Lane from here, a narrow cobbled street in the right side of the guildhall, you will not only pass from some more medieval houses, including the one in which Dick Turpin is believed to have lived for a while, but also reach the real attraction of the town: It's parish church. St John the Baptist was built from 1340 to 1510 and features a 181 ft high spire that can be seen from miles away. The church is so grand and impressing that many regard it as the "Cathedral of Essex". Inside it is just as impressing as from the outside and there are some really remarkable stained glass windows to see.

Right behind the church you can find the former almshouses of the parish. The thatched building was originally the home of the priest and has been turned into an almshouse later, the newer addition, the tiled building, dates back to the early 18th century. Both houses have served as almshouses for more than 160 years. They are not open for the public but look nice and the path in between them will lead you straight to the windmill.

Built in 1804 by local farmer John Webb it is now a grade II listed building. The windmill can be visited and there is a small museum inside but it isn't open very often. I've never managed to find it anything but closed and the entrance door is as far as I've come so far.

After seeing all the attractions , which shouldn't take too long (unless you manage to find them actually open for public ) take a walk through the town and have a look at all those gorgeous old houses. There are plenty of pubs and cafes/tea rooms around so finding a place to take a break in between shouldn't be too hard.