Paycocke's Tudor Coggeshall walk
Discover what Thomas Paycocke would have smelled, seen and heard in 1512 on this circular walk through Tudor Coggeshall. This walk is ideal for families and along the way you'll visit medieval Grange Barn, The Chapel of St Nicholas and St Mary's Abbey.
Near to
Paycocke's House and GardenStart point
Paycocke's House, grid ref: TL848225Trail information
*The tracks around Coggeshall Abbey can become very muddy in wet weather. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**Not suitable for wheelchairs. For further details, please see Access section.
***Dogs welcome, but must be kept on a lead in Paycocke's garden. For further details, please see Facilities section.
Total stages: 10
Total stages: 10
Start point
Paycocke's House, grid ref: TL848225
Stage 1
Start in Thomas Paycocke's house. Step out into West Street and you'll get an understanding of the Paycocke family's place in society. The house frontage extends beyond other buildings in the street, emphasising their importance and status within the local community.
Stage 2
Walk to the left of Paycocke's House to a private house that was previously The Fleece Inn. In Tudor times this house was known as Drapers, and its residents shared the Paycocke family name. On the other side of the road, open fields would have stretched as far as the eye can see.
Stage 3
With Paycocke's behind you, turn right and walk towards the end of West Street. Turn right at the end of West Street, and walk down The Gravel. Turn right along Bridge Street and to approach the River Blackwater.
Stage 4
Walk up the steady slope of Grange Hill towards Grange Barn.
Stage 5
Cross Grange Hill road and walk along Abbey Lane for approximately 450yd (410m), to the small gatehouse chapel on the left, just as villagers would have done in Tudor times on their way to attend mass.
Stage 6
Continue along the road until you reach the abbey complex, which was founded by King Stephen in 1140.
Stage 7
Cross the River Blackwater and take the path on your left, passing through the corn fields. Further along, ignore the track on the right and continue along the path ahead, which bears left slightly, until you reach East Street, which was known as Gallows Street in Paycocke's day. Turn right and then left along St Peters Road, called Dead Lane in 1512.
Stage 8
Follow the road around for approximately 440yd (400m), then turn left into Church Green.
Stage 9
After you leave the church, turn right and head to the Woolpack, formerly the home of a fellow merchant.
Stage 10
From the Woolpack, continue along the road until you reach Market Hill, before following the road around and back to Paycocke's House.
End point
Paycocke's House, grid ref: TL848225
Trail map
Map for the Paycocke's Tudor Coggeshall walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
More near here
Grange Barn and Paycocke's House circular walk
Enjoy a 3-mile circular walk into the Essex countryside from Grange Barn along the River Blackwater and by Paycocke's House.
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Visiting Paycocke's
Uncover the story behind Paycocke’s House, a glorious example of Tudor craftmanship with quaint beamed rooms. There’s so much to discover here in this unique merchant’s home.
Explore Paycocke's garden
Discover how an overgrown industrial yard is now an Arts and Crafts garden, featuring plants that would have been grown over the previous five centuries of the house’s existence.
Eating at Paycocke's
Visit our tea room for a light lunch or tea and cake stop during your visit to Paycocke’s.