Loughton

59. LOUGHTON. (B.d.)

(O.S. 6 in. ^(a)lvii. S.E. ^(b)lviii. S.W.)

Loughton is a parish and suburb of London, on the E. side of and including part of Epping Forest.

Pre-historic

^a(1). Loughton Camp stands at the end of a spur of the 300 ft. contour line in Epping Forest, about 1 m. N.N.W. of St. Mary's Church.

The area forms a rough oval, defended by a single rampart and ditch, the latter being partly obliterated on the W. by a road. Beyond this road the ground drops steeply into a ravine. A stream issuing from the work at the S.W. angle has caused a considerable gap in the defences, now occupied by marshy ground, but possibly originally closed by a dam. A similar feature is found at Ambresbury Banks. There are several gaps in the defences, but the position of the original entrance is doubtful. The area enclosed is about 6½ acres. At the best preserved section the ditch is 45 ft. wide and 8 ft. below the rampart.

The work is not shown upon the O.S. maps.

Condition—Fairly good.

Ecclesiastical

^b(2). Church of St. Nicholas was entirely re-built in 1877, but retains from the old church the following

Fittings—Brasses: In chancel—(1) of [Abel Guilliams, 1637] with figures of man and wife kneeling at a desk, six sons and four daughters, inscription and shield lost; (2) of William Nodes, 1594, and Elizabeth (Wollsey) his wife, figure of man and eight sons with their names, figures of wife and daughters missing; (3) of [George Stonard, 1558], plate with figures of man in armour and wife, each in round-headed niches, inscription lost; (4) of John Stonnard, 1541, and Joan and Katheryn, his wives, with figures of man and two women. Cupboard: In chancel—in N. wall, with elaborately carved double doors of small size, flanked by columns and strapwork and surmounted by entablature; on panel below doors, painting of the Annunciation, late 16th-century. Glass: In N. and S. windows—two kneeling figures with coloured nimbi, early 16th-century.

At the W. end of the church are remains of a 16th-century churchyard wall. The foundations of the old church, E. of the present building, have recently been traced and indicated a chancel and nave (about 56 ft. by 15 ft.), with a N. aisle (16 ft. wide), and a S. porch. There are said to be floor-slabs to Thomas Tuson, 1702, and Jeffery Lee, 1670, now covered by grass.

Condition—Good, re-built.

Secular

^a(3). Alderton Hall, 1,000 yards W.S.W. of St. Nicholas Church, is of two storeys with attics, timber-framed and weather-boarded; the roofs are tiled. The main block and the E. cross-wing, were built early in the 17th century; the W. cross-wing was re-built probably early in the 18th century. The panelled entrance door is original and inside the building are two other original doors; a staircase has turned balusters and moulded handrail of late 17th-century date.

Condition—Good.

^a(4). Rose Farm, cottage, on N. side of Trap's Hill, ¼ m. N.W. of (3), is of two storeys, timber-framed and weather-boarded; the roofs are tiled. It was built early in the 17th century.

Condition—Good.

^a(5). North Farm, house (Plate p. 128), on E. side of main road, about ¾ m. S.S.W. of St. Mary's Church, is of two storeys with attics, timber-framed and plastered; the roofs are tiled. It was built c. 1600 and two chimney-stacks have original diagonal shafts. Some windows on the N. side have original frames. Inside the building are some original wall-posts with moulded heads and four early 17th-century doors. The staircase has a central newel.

Condition—Good.

^a(6). Willow Cottage, 550 yards N.E. of (5), is of two storeys with attics, timber-framed and weather-boarded; the roofs are tiled. It was built early in the 17th century and has an original chimney-stack at the back with offsets.

Condition—Good.

^a(7). House and shop, in York Hill (No. 25), 120 yards N.W. of the main road, is of two storeys, timber-framed and weather-boarded; the roofs are tiled. It was built early in the 17th century and has an original chimney-stack with four grouped shafts, set diagonally.

Condition—Poor.