Thaxted Village

We pass through Thaxted regularly on our way to Saffron Walden. With a history dating back to saxon times, this little gem is just outside Great Dunmow. It’s a historic market town full of medieval properties with a small selection of shops.

It is worth stopping at Thaxted if you like medieval market towns with windmills and historic properties (it has it all). It feels like you’ve stepped back in time. A house where Dick Turpin was said to have lived, where Gustav Holst the composer lived too. There are so many interesting houses. I have a thing for door knockers and fancy letterboxes (weird I know) and Thaxted has them in abundance! Thaxted is also famed for it’s Morris Dancers too and can be found hanging out at the pub opposite the church at the top of the hill.

One of my favourite shops in Essex is in Thaxted. ‘Gifted’, an artisan gift shop, perfect for those little unique birthday gifts for friends and family. In the ‘back rooms’ they sell pre-loved clothing for women and interesting dresses and tops. Worth a mooch. I’ve purchased a few dresses recently. They also sell eco refills for household cleaning products, and shampoos etc.

The windmill is just up the road, tucked away behind the impressive church at the top of the hill.

The Guildhall is a very impressive medieval timbered building on full view as you drive through.