Rayne Heritage Trail

The original village hall was moved to this location in 1955. In 1962, the Parish Council leased a parcel of land - the village hall site and play area - for 99 years. The current building opened in April 1975.

A public house, 16th century or earlier, with later additions and alterations. Previously, also known as the Black Swan. It acted as the post office in the 18th century. Try to spot the Swan in the thatch.

Marks the spot where the volunteers assembled in Oct 1914. During WW1, a total of 107 men enlisted, with 33 men failing to return. The memorial was erected in Oct 1920 for £150, funded by public subscription. The names of 7 men were added following WW2.

A one tonne stone from a quarry near where the WW1 Armistice was signed. It commemorates everyone who served in the Great War. The stone was donated by the French town Verberie, which has been twinned with Rayne since 1994.

Early 16th century house, considerably altered in the 17th century. It is a Hall house with cross wings, east and west. The upper storey projects to the front.

With 14th century origins, it was altered in the late 15th century and remained with the Capel family until 1621. Reductions in size in the 17th century created its current form. The Earls of Essex owned the Hall until 1900.

A possible Saxon church was replaced in 1199 by Robert de Welles and Harry de Reynes, with a Norman Nave and Chancel. The West Tower was added around 1510 by Sir William Capel.

The Nave and Chancel were replaced in 1840-41 whilst the Sanctuary and Clergy Vestry were added in 1914. A separate guide is available for the Church.

A small 18th-19th century tiled cottage with Gothic headed windows. Behind is a red brick building with an oak door. This is a Lock Up, built in 1819. It was used to hold prisoners and drunks, usually just overnight.

Opposite, set inside a small enclosure, is a 19th century Village Pump. It was made by Appleby & Co., Chesterfield.

A weatherboarded building, formerly a malthouse, owned  by John Hance. Bought in 1844 by Rev. Thomas Willis for £155, it was used as a school until 1878. To the rear is an extension built in 1928. It provided a home for the  lending library, which gradually grew to over 5,000 volumes.

An 18th century red brick building, with a cast iron ground floor veranda.  Built by John English, a Braintree Wool Merchant, in 1771. Formerly used for a boys school (run by Julia Dunbar), it is where the Home Guard assembled during WW2.

A 17th century house, much altered in the 18th and 19th centuries. In 1895 it was bought by Miss Eliza Vaughan, a local historian, naturalist, suffragist and Rayne Parish Clerk who lived here until her death in 1949.

A 16th -17th century building which was altered and enlarged in the 18th century. A Cypress tree was planted by Frederick Crompton Lake around 1874, hence it also being known as Cypress House.

An 18th Century timber framed building. The moulded canopy for the porch and hooped cast iron railings are noteworthy.

Possibly 17th Century or earlier, with an 18th century shopfront. Currently run as the Voujon restaurant. It was formerly an antiques shop and the Old Post Office.

A 19th century public house originally called The Cherry Tree until it was renamed in 1981 in honour of H.R.H. Diana, Princess of Wales.

The new buildings occupy the former site of Rayne Foundry which began in the 1820s producing socketed ploughs. It cast in brass, bronze, gunmetal and later aluminium. The Foundry closed on 13 February 2001. Photograph taken by Maurice Totham.

The Bishop’s Stortford to Braintree Line was opened in 1869 to transport malt and barley, but with few passenger trains. Regular passenger services ceased in 1952, with all freight traffic stopping by the end of 1971. The Cafe opened in 2007. The railway carriage has been a museum since 2013, and may be open during your visit. Close by is the site of the Rayne Millennium post.

When ready to leave Rayne Station, from the café, go past the railway carriage and rejoin the Flitch Way towards Braintree.

After crossing Warner Close, leave the Flitch Way at the next footpath on the left, via the gate.

Continue past the garages (Symmons Close). 

Cross Medley Road, walk up the footpath until a wall, then turn right and past the railings.

On reaching The Street, turn right, back towards the traffic lights.

A 17th-18th century or earlier building with later alterations. It has been both a residence and a butcher’s shop. The Pump in the front garden is 19th century. Mains water was not available in Rayne until 1940.

These attached cottages are 16th – 17th century or earlier. They are timber framed and parget plastered. The front room of Quincies served as the police station until 1971. In front of the cottages is another 19th century cast iron suction Village Pump.

A 17th century or earlier cottage. Once two dwellings. It is timber framed and plastered, with a thatched roof.

A 17th century or earlier cottage, with later additions and alterations. It is timber framed and plastered with a red tile roof.

An 18th - 19th century or earlier cottage. It is timber framed and plastered with a thatched roof. Formerly used as a Dame school, run by Miss Tepper.