Blackmore | English Fairytale Village, Secret Love of a Monarch.

Blackmore is a stunning English fairytale village well known to have been a secret love of a Monarch, the emblematic King Henry VIII who in the 16th century often visited that place in the District of Brentwood at just 32, 0 kilometres from London, a little gem of Southern England in the County of Essex which despite its small size has a very special fascination, charm with a long, captivating and appealing history to narrate.

Situated at a short distance by towns with a notable cultural patrimony such as Romford and Chelmsford in just one hour and some minutes you can reach the Southern British coastline and in a tailor made tour with an exciting Fly & Drive you can visit many attractions in that fabulous corner of Great Britain taking in high consideration the proximity of Stantsted Airport with its numerous low costs located just 55,0 kilometres away.

Surrounded by a splendid green countryside with picturesque cottages, stylish mansions at the borders of wild captivating verdant forests and magnificent large meadows, that picturesque site represents in all its essence the most immaculate,  pure, true image of the most scenic rural Great Britain and also for those captivating details it is extremely enchanting and highly suggested to visit.

Its genuine beauty is furthermore characterised by many other great attractions, it is a little centre greatly preserved boasting some outstanding buildings elevated in a magnificent Tudor style, loyal to the most traditional representations of one the most charming architectural movements born and bred in England in the late 15th century.

It highlighted many civil constructions for the distinctive use of stone and wooden elements combined in perfect, stylish executions with stunning symmetric details highlighting facades and frames of an incredible aesthetic beauty next to other highlights as the iconic oriel window and the emblematic Four-centred arch also known as Tudor arch.

The incomparable peaceful atmosphere of Blackmore is another superb attraction and it is always a pleasure enjoying the beauty and the colours of a land in which the time seems to stand still, evoking with its image the fascination of the most traditional idyllic old England.

In the 18th and 19th centuries places like that inspired a good number of talented landscape painters such as Thomas Gainsborough, Richard Wilson, Thomas Girtin, John Constable and JMW Turner who immortalised in great works places, an additional relevant aspect which makes it very fascinating at first sight.

With all those stupendous features it is not a case that Blackmore received several honours which elevated it unique in its kind because that centre was awarded as Best Essex Preserved Village in different years such as 1982, 1984, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003 and in addition to that incredible collection of titles a further one came in 1997 when it was named Essex Village of the Year.

All that is simply outstanding considering it is a place pretty underrated, for many people practically unknown and all those prestigious honours are absolutely stunning, pride of the entire community and telling you about the fascination of that appealing and charming place, what is certain is that site is able to charm everyone in a while.

A superb attraction as outstanding introduction is certainly its entrance immediately captivating with the presence of  Village Pond, consisting in a tiny lake situated at the T junction of Chelmsford Road and The Green which is a sort of welcoming doorway to introduce you coming in that scenic, peaceful and picturesque English reality enjoying a small shining pearl, an inspiring corner to spend pleasant times in total serenity.

In the boundaries of that scenic site you can also practise some great outdoor activities as cycling and mountain bike, you can find there a Tennis Club, a great place highly suggested for those who love to explore the beauty of intact forests highlighted by a large fauna with the presence of several foxes, squirrels, badgers, wild rabbits, hares and many species of birds such as woodpecker, nuthatch, cucko, sandpiper and nightingale among others.

Blackmore is also well known to host in its fascinating environment historic and traditional Gastropubs offering a large lists of exquisite plates loyal to the most typical local cuisine, a vast range of top beers, establishments strongly linked to a hospitality and catering industry of notable prestige boasting old traditions born centuries ago.

Despite its size Blackmore has an outstanding historic patrimony which next to all the mentioned enchanting qualities offers hundreds of reasons to be visited and discovered metre by metre.

  

Since medieval times it was historically part of a land which became the Eastern Kingdom of the Saxons in the 6th century when that Gerrmanic population landed in the old Anglia establishing in the current boundaries a considerable transit point in their Realm using it as considerable stage along a relevant route starting in Epping Forest, a magnificent huge verdant woodland leading to the border of the Capital of Great Britain which is just 35 minutes away.

That place was already well known in the 10th century during the Reign of King Edward when it was a very active agricultural and swine breed hub with very busy operations elevating itself as a relevant centre pretty popular in the entire county.

  

The local history was recorded in 1086 during the times of King William I as a site of notable importance in an old historic archive called Domesday Book with the denomination "Phingaria" linked to the first name of the current village to the word Fingreth meaning the stream of the people of Fin probably deriving by a name left by those Germanic settlers. 

The current was taken in medieval times from the words Black and Marsh due to the black soil which has now mostly gone leaving a mixture of lighter subsoil and clay.

Blackmore gained further importance in the 12th century during the times of  Henry II when the noble Sanford family closely related to that King established there a famed Manor House.

In the same period also started a relevant Religious activity with the elevation of the magnificent Augustinian Priory dedicated to St. Lawrence, that Saint notorious to have been martyred in Rome in the 3th century during the times of Emperor Valerian. 

That superb Ecclesiastic Complex was in the Middle Ages one of the most important monasteries of Southern England and in 14th century thanks to that considerable  relevance it was visited by the Bishop of London, a notable event which increased its fame  becoming a notorious destination for many people who flocked there to admire that magnificent Religious building.

Unfortunately the Black Death of 1349 was a sad episode which represented a dark page of the local history characterised after that event by a very slow recovery and in the early 16th century the village lived a period of importance and decay in a very short time.

Despite all that Blackmore became a favourite destination of King Henry VIII who spent in its boundaries a lot of time escaping from the busy political life of London finding in that calm environment a sort of golden haven far from worries and stress.

It was since then that small Essex hamlet was linked his secret love according to historic documentations which linked him to a mistress related to the aristocratic local sphere living in that village of Essex.

That Monarch continued to visit with frequency that tranquil refuge but that notorious Religious status of reforms which took place all around England in a pretty tumultuous period culminated in 1525 corresponding to the times in which the Priory was dissolved by John Allen, an agent of the famous and charismatic Cardinal Wolsey during the Reign of that Sovereign was event which changed the local history and its destiny.

All that happened due to the authorisation of Pope Clement VII who gave the leadership to manage that historic suppression to that influential Religious character who started with his strategies with protagonist the first Augustinian Monastery at St. Frideswide in Oxford, an unexpected operation planned with the purpose to finance a College from the proceeds in that city well known as Cardinal’s College. 

King Henry VIII consented all that but there was insufficient money and the solution was to continue in the same way with other Monasteries and Convents hosting Religious Orders which were suppressed including that of St. Lawrence which ceased its activity since then despite the immense love of that King for Blackmore.

In 1540 John Smyth, an influential auditor linked to the highest social spheres of London with important links including with the Royal Family obtaining in several occasions many considerable advantages and privileges  bought the Priory.

Smyth family played an important role in the local history keeping for five generations until 1721 the rule as a sort of patriarchy in the village. Those landlords Lords also built  in Blackmore Smyth Hall as a sort of symbol of a powerful dynasty using for the construction materials coming from the former Priory including stained glass.

That building was demolished in 1844 and some of those relevant rests were later found in other villages not far from there.

That long period of power of those aristocrats ended with the last successor in the 19th century, that site had a notable rebirth mainly highlighted by farming and according to many historic references to the inception of an important market which was transformed later in a very large Horse Fair celebrated between 1848 and 1874.

Those famous 26 years of flourishing activity represented a notable historic stage because that place gained a superb fame and prestige calling due to its popularity merchants coming from all  Greater London and other English Counties.

Linked to that there was a pretty active leather trade elevating that as a relevant hub and the presence of the popular and historic local Pub, The Leather Bottle confirms with its current name that former activity probably focused in the place where it was established.

After those golden ages the following centuries were characterised to preserve the considerable local historic patrimony, there was a continuation and consolidation of a busy agricultural activity but Blackmore also became a destination to spend pleasant times in a unique environment highlighted by the presence of excellent Pubs and a relaxing atmosphere, a very lovely haven to enjoy delicious meals with also the chance to admire its notable monuments.

You can start the visit from  the iconic St. Lawrence Church which is undoubtedly the emblematic symbol of that site due to its relevant historic value, definitely a great attraction for its stunning architectural image.

That religious building represents that former Augustinian Priory which construction was commissioned by Richard Bishop of London in 1155, originally erected to host a prior and 12 canons of the Augustine Order.

It was originally founded on the site of the former manor house and residence of Sampford family previously mentioned and you can see today that stunning masterpiece perfectly preserved.  

Notable is the large and long sloping roof above the majestic and impressive main body of the structure elevated on a large rectangular plan, a superb highlight is represented by the exterior layout with strong stone walls and beautiful large symmetrical stained glass windows flanking a magnificent portico.

Simply perfect are the fine lines and defined outlines result of a superb work all around the facades of that former Monastery including some special details as the position of the bell tower elevated on its right side in a different period using another kind of material but all is in great harmony with the older section giving that beautiful construction a very scenic appearance. 

The current building in its main core has kept in large part its original image highlighted by a wide central nave, the tower, the arches up on the walls north and south of the construction and worth a mention the beautiful Norman doorway corresponding to the main entrance.

During the visit you can admire a wonderful  window depicting the Martyrdom of St. Lawrence, splendid dormer windows while the brick piers and arches corresponding to the southern arcade are all elements belonging to the Tudor times whether they were developed before the period of its dismantling or they were part of the reinstatement.

It is almost impossible to analyse also for the most skilled experts of art the right dates, deep studies and analysis of materials can generate suppositions with almost precise conclusions but  what it is certain is that all the architectural elements are original and they are not a contemporary replica while the former chancel was unfortunately destroyed at the time of dissolution of the Religious Order.

In that magnificent Church as confirmation of long rule of Smyth family you can see various inscribed slabs on the floor indicating the names generation by generation with the successions of different prominent figures. In a section of the building you can see the tomb of Thomas son of John who died in 1594 and his wife Margaret who represented one of the iconic characters of that dynasty.  

The wonderful bell tower crowned by a splendid spire was built in the 15th century and it contains a carillon of 5 bells by Miles Grays. Simply great is the composition in three blocks of that imposing construction erected on a square base and highlighted by an irregular long pyramidal spire established over a very scenic polygonal roof.

Splendid for artistic execution is also the lower section beneath a sloping canopy, a great and magnificent representation of refined, stylish Tudor style visible on the walls with a fine composition consisting in elaborated lines all around the doorway.

From the 17th century to the present there were not structural alterations of relevant importance, simply some works of ordinary maintenance with just some little restorations and the view of that majestic complex is absolutely magnificent.

The old Georgian building near the Church stands on the site of the Priory is another historic attraction, it is known as Jericho or Jericho House and that name derives from King Henry VIII, the emblematic Monarch so in love with Blackmore. 

When that character was there his courtiers said he had gone to Jericho, a bye name which the house still retains and the small river Can which runs near it is sometimes called the Jordan. The popular expression ""Go to Jericho" is supposed to have arisen from that circumstance.

The current structure was totally rebuilt in the 18th Century on the site of an earlier 16th century building which was believed to be the country retreat of the King and where Henry Fitzroy Duke of Richmond his son was born in 1519 by the relation of that famous love story or affair with Elizabeth Blount, a lady friend of Queen Catherine of Aragon wife of that King.

That woman nicknamed Bessie was daughter of a loyal vassal of that Sovereign who also accompanied him to France during the disputes against Louis XII well known to have been one of the illustrious descendants of the prestigious House of Orleans-Valois who married Mary Tudor, daughter of Henry VII and younger sister of that notorious Monarch.

Henry VIII was a frequent visitor of Blackmore using the village for his privacy escaping from his busy routine spending there a lot of time enjoying one of his great passion which was hunting, extremely in love with the local forests but he found there another secret one, the passion for that woman.

That controversial Sovereign with strong personality, well known as the founder of the Anglican Church was a figure pretty notorious for his constant and endless contrasts with Pope Clement VII, his immense charisma and notoriety was also mainly characterised to be the second iconic King of the prestigious Tudor dynasty which wrote indelible pages in the history of the country.

Sometimes for all what that emblematic House represented Henry VIII used the prestigious name of the Royalty to increase his very accentuated, marked ego  and he often felt himself as a sort of supreme being.

He was undoubtedly  a pretty controversial figure but for many fervent patriots due to those events highlighted the split with the Roman Catholic Church he became a sort of symbol who gave a strong identity to England.

That remote fairytale village of Essex for that man was very important in a period of his life pretty tumultuous full by politic issues, military operations, organisation of events and also with very difficult diplomatic relationships not only with the mentioned Papal State but also with France and Spain, for that he found there for different reasons a sort of tranquil paradise far from a court highlighted by all that.

The Baptist Church is another Religious construction of the municipality consisting in a building pretty modern dated the early 19th century. The original construction was erected by Ashley Barrett who also established a schoolmaster’s house and the Penny a Week School, in 1998 the Chapel was completely refurbished and the house has been incorporated into the present complex.

Continuing the visit In Church Street you can see a splendid building, the Century Bull Inn consisting in a traditional Essex framed house, a stunning restored masterpiece dated the 15th century developed in a magnificent Tudor style.

That structure is  a very fine example of medieval construction with a wealth of exposed beams throughout and it hosted for long time The Bull Public House which was a historic local Pub well known in many corners of the County.

There are some curiosities linked to that site with historic narrations depicting it as a priest hole, an escape tunnel from the time of the Reformation, including a further saying that it was haunted by at least three ghosts seen by staff and customers alike for many years.

Another attraction which deserves to be seen is Fingreth Hall situated in the northern side of the Parish, former residence of Sir Walter Mildmay, Chancellor of the Exchequer during the Elizabethan era. 

A short distance from the centre in the Eastern boundaries of the village itself lies a charming cottage built in the middle ages, concretely in 1345 which is also part of the heritage patrimony of the municipality. 

The village is also very famous for its historic Gastropubs well known for their long tradition, prestige and fame. One of them who played a relevant role in terms of hospitality services is the famed The Leather Bottle notorious establishment finalist in the event which awarded the Best Gastropub in Essex in 2010 and boasting the Essex Food & Drink Award Title.

That establishment was rebuilt after a fire which destroyed the former building in 1954, the old structure was adjacent to that distinctive area known as Horse Fair Green and it probably received that name closely linked to the leather business developed in that environment of the village.

The second is the current Lawrie´s Brasserie which replaced the former Prince Albert, hosted in a captivating brick building erected in 1757 immediately visible on the main road boasting a charming, attractive stylish facade with ample windows and charming lanterns on its sides.

In those places you can taste some of the typical plates rooted in the most traditional English cuisine such as a tastefully Pork belly, a typical beer battered Fish & Chips, Hand cut roast ham, an exquisite Salmon fillet and the classical Cottage Pie. 

Excellent are also the delectable Blue Cheese and Stilton wuth in addition an ample variety of Puddings, desserts next to a large offer of great beers and a varied list of selected fine wines.

On Sunday in the case you are there I suggest you to enjoy the traditional Sunday Roast. it is part of a tradition which never died, more alive than ever, totally rooted in the English culture.

You can try there delectable roast beef, turkey, chicken, pork, all them accompanied by fresh carrots, broccoli, roast potatoes, the iconic Yorkshire pudding and flavoured with a delicious gravy sauce. It will be a great experience you will keep in your memories because that kind of meal is distinctive part of centuries of gastronomy of that country.

The village also has its cultural events, on the third Sunday of every month in Ashes Road takes places Farmers Market with the presence of stalls offering different kinds of delights  Every two years in the month of May from Friday to Monday the municipality hosts Village Fayre, a lively appointment highlighted by music, stalls, sport events, live music and a parade.

Blackmore is close to Chelmsford Road, part of the A414 next to important motorways such as A12, M11 and M25 motorways and it is easy to reach the village from London in about 40 minutes driving.

There are local transport connections by bus services to the towns of Ongar, Brentwood and Chelmsford, more than valid options to visit also those centres which have very interesting historic monuments in their boundaries.

 Its strategic position on the road to another historic town as Colchester and not far from the Southeastern coastline of Great Britain with other attractive destinations as the wonderful Suffolk is a great chance to complete a significant itinerary visiting in addition that little gem of Great Britain.

In the case you are organising or planning a trip to England, Blackmore could be a great idea for a pleasant stop and I added some links to organise a stay during a suggested stunning Fly & Drive with a stage in that area considering the proximity of Stansted Airport well known to be a very famed destination with several convenient low costs, I also inserted some other links regarding some accommodations in the immediate surrounding.

That place will definitely delight you, once there you will be extremely surprise for the scenic beauty of that fairytale village with its genuine and captivating charm, part of the history of a country which was including able to bewitch a famed member of the Royalty, an emblematic Monarch who found there his unique secret love.

Francesco Mari

Recommended accommodations in Blackmore area in the case you are not in London and in a tailor made itinerary you want to enjoy a stay close to that place

B&B Little Lampetts

Greenwoods Hotel & Spa

Mulberry House 

Useful links 

www.blackmorehistory.co.uk

www.littlelampetts.co.uk
www.mulberry-house.com
www.greenwoodshotel.com 

 www.essextouristguide.com

http://theleatherbottle.net

www.lawriesbrasserie.co.uk