LOCAL AND ESSEX HISTORY: Wednesday 25 June 2025; Visit to Witham
Witham was originally a Saxon village in the area of Chipping Hill, half a mile away. However, the development of Newland Street, on the Roman Road to Colchester, came with the Knights Templar, an order of “Monks in arms.” In 1147 they were granted the Royal Manor of Witham, the income from which was to help pay for their operations in the Holy Land. In 1212 King John granted a charter for a weekly market in “La Newe Lande.”
We spent our visit exploring modern day Newland Street (there is an excellent town trail). We were surprised to learn just how many of the buildings we looked at dated from the 14th and 15th centuries. Most have had brick fronts added in Georgian times but by looking at the sides of the buildings it is very easy to see the additions. I believe there are up to 100 sites in the trail but as it was a very hot day we concentrated on the 18 identified in Newland Street plus a few more of interest not listed.
Notable buildings included The Town Hall, a late 15th century timber framed building, once a coaching Inn called The George, with a Georgian Façade added in the early 18oo’s.
Battesford Court (now a Wetherspoons) is a 16th century timber framed building, once the courthouse of Battesford Manor. Here the Georgian front is easy to see by looking down the side of the building!
The Red Lion, dates from the 14th century though it was substantially rebuilt in the 1600s.
The White Hart Hotel is thought to have been built about the time of Richard II (1377-1399). There is original timbering inside from the 1400s. It was the highest grade hotel in Witham for 200 years and is still a prominent hotel now.
One famous previous resident is Dorothy L Sayers (1893-1957) author of the Lord Peter Wimsey detective stories, a poet, a playwright and a noted translator of Dante’s Divine Comedy from the original old Italian. There is a statue of her with her cat and interesting earrings for a lady of that era!
Witham was also the centre of the Crittal Steel Window manufacturers and still has a factory in the town.
We had an excellent lunch and there are plenty of cafes restaurants and pubs to cater for all tastes. The car park in Newlands Drive is inexpensive and close by. Why not take a visit there this Summer and explore for yourselves?
Best wishes, Marion Coleman
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