Milestones between London and Great Chesterford

Surviving milestones of the Hockerill (Herts and Essex) Trust.

Harlow to Great Chesterford (Stump Cross)

With two starting points from London and a variety of historical route changes along the way, this route to the Cambridgeshire border still needs in depth research. Originally miles were measured from Whitehall (1744) but later from Shoreditch. Many of the milestones north of Stansted Mountfitchet show evidence of mileage changes with old Roman numerals clearly seen on their reverse sides. "Epping New Road" through Epping Forest shortened the route by about a mile and a new direct road between Harlow and the Hertfordshire border south of Sawbridgeworth removed the Harlow "dogleg". The latter (laid out some time after 1777) necessitated the repositioning of all markers to the north about one third of a mile towards London. Yet to be ascertained is how mileages were affected when the Hockerill (Herts and Essex) Turnpike went around the town of Bishops Stortford (Herts) instead of through it. The Hertfordshire milestone survivor at Hockerill and those in Bishops Stortford are included below as it is part of the overall London to Chesterford series.

The good news is that only one of the milestones along the Hockerill Trust within Essex is missing. It is the LONDON 35 at Quendon that possibly was lost during road improvements when the M11 was built nearby.

Also included in this series of milestones are three that stand apart a few miles to the east of the route at Debden and Saffron Walden. Not much is known about them except that were probably put in place in the 19th century by a past owner of the Debden Estate (Debden Hall). They all "hammerhead" shape, a design that can be seen along the A4 and A361 west of Marlborough, Wiltshire.

The style of milestones along the entire route mainly comprise two distinct designs. From Loughton to Thornwood Common they follow the design of those along the Epping and Ongar route. (See the Epping and Ongar Highway Trust) Most north of Stansted are of a simple design with rounded tops. The main exceptions being those at Saffron Walden and the tall stone at Littlebury.

Click on the thumbnails for larger image. Details of each marker will be added as time allows.

All photographs on this page by Sue Adams (SA), Brian Barrow (BB) and John V Nicholls (JVN)

The images of milestones along this route between Buckhurst Hill and Thornwood Common may be found on the page dedicated to Epping and Ongar Highway Trust.

Harlow (JVN)

NGR: TL 4721 1003

Harlow (SA)

NGR: TL 4721 1162

The route crossed over to Hertfordshire at this point.

Hertfordshire Survivors of the Hockerill Highway Trust.

The following three milestones are in Hertfordshire but included to complete the Hockerill Highway Trust (also known as the Herts and Essex) route from Harlow to the Essex/Cambridgeshire border. The LONDON 23 to LONDON 27 have not been found and must be assumed as lost.

Bishops Stortford (Herts) (JVN)

NGR: 2032 4974

Set in a wall about 30 cm from the road and this milestone has suffered greatly from erosion over almost two centuries. This was the 28 miles to London.

Front view Rye Street Bishops Stortford.jpg (87579 bytes)

Bishops Stortford (Herts) (BB)

NGR: TL 4871 2200

29 miles to London on the old road north out of Bishops Stortford. (Rye Street)

29 miles - Bishops Stortford.jpg (112247 bytes)

Bishops Stortford (Herts) (BB)

NGR: TL 4953 2225

This stone is also 29 miles to London but along the later route around Bishops Stortford along the former A11.

Birchanger [JVN]

NGR: TL 5045 2356

Recently "rediscovered" after being hidden under felled saplings and ivy.

Stansted Mountfitchet (JVN)

NGR: TL 5096 2509

Large mile plate (mile post) in cast iron. Much evidence of route mile changes to be seen with parts of the 4 in "CHELMSFORD 24" ground out to create the 1 in 21. The route to Chelmsford originally went via Bishops Stortford, Takeley, Dunmow and thence to Chelmsford. At a date unknown the route changed to Bishops Stortford, the Hallingburys, the Rodings, Roxwell and into Chelmsford. Main route mileage changes are reflected in the 3 in "CAMBRIDGE 23" which is a bolted on addition as is the 1 in "LONDON 31". Further research is being carried out to determine the age of the plate. Once thought to be late C19, new evidence seems to indicate that it may date from the first decades of that century.

Stansted Mountfitchet (JVN)

NGR: TL 5140 2660

Ugley (JVN)

NGR: TL 5131 2819

Since this picture (summer 2002) the stone has suffered from unintentional "vandalism". Attempts to clean the face with an abrasive has scored the surface and reflective red triangles have been screwed to each side.

Quendon (JVN)

NGR: TL 5126 2978

Newport (JVN)

NGR: TL 5232 3255

Believed to have been lost, this stone was rediscovered by JVN on Christmas Day, 2002.

The Toll House, Newport. Although on the Hockerill Highway, the tolls were payable on a private toll bridge owned by the Earl of Suffolk. A toll bridge was on the site as early as the 1780s.

The toll board on the outside of the toll house. NGR: TL 5211 3438

Newport (BB)

NGR: TL 5215 3420

Wendens Ambo (BB)

NGR: TL 5198 3567

Rediscovered by Brian Barrow in January 2005. Hidden for years behind a heavy growth of ivy and set against a flint stone wall.

(Saffron) Walden (JVN)

NGR: TL 5186 3729

Milestone set into the wall surrounding the Audley End Estate.

LONDON / 39 / CAMBRIDGE / 15 / NEWMARKET / 20

Littlebury (JVN)

NGR: TL 5190 3880

Milestone in hedge on east side of B1833. Notable for its height (110cm dressed height) and pronounced taper (36cm wide at base to 25cm near top). LONDON 40. No other stones of this design in Essex although similar in some respects to the two LONDON 29 stones in Bishops Stortford.

The stone was cleaned 13 March 2004. Click thumbnail for more pictures.

Littlebury (JVN)

NGR: TL 5179 4033

Great Chesterford (JVN)

NGR: TL 5126 4180

Milestone. Only short stump remains on mown verge on west side of B1833. The top is in the care of a nearby resident and hopefully to be reunited in 2005.

Great Chesterford (JVN)

NGR: TL 5040 9294

Various milestones around Saffron Walden area.

Formerly with borough status, Saffron Walden's roads, minor and major, all had milestones out as far as the borough border. This is verified by late 19th century 6 inch Ordnance Survey maps. With the exception of the Debden "hammerhead" stones (see below) no others are known to survive. However, just beyond the old borough boundary there are stones which are illustrated here.

Saffron Walden to Cambridge (now the B184)

The only known survivor on the Essex stretch of this route. The stone has suffered impact damage from either grass cutting machinery or hedging flail.

Great Chesterford (JVN)

NGR: TL 5133 4292

Saffron Walden to Bartlow

This stone at Ashdon can be dated to approximately 1865 when the Shelford to Haverhill railway opened. Soon after the line from Audley End to Bartlow was opened and Ashdon was served by a halt which effectively made the stone redundant.

Ashdon (JVN)

NGR: TL 5859 4197

The Debden "hammerhead" Markers.

Three mile markers with an unknown history. One possibility is they were erected in the mid C19 by the owner of Debden Hall. The "hammerhead" design of the three stones appears identical to those in Wiltshire along the A4 west of Marlborough and on the A361 towards Devizes from Beckhampton. Could it be that they were bought "off the shelf" and engraved in Essex? No legend remains on the Saffron Walden example.

Debden (JVN)

NGR: TL 55503410

Howe Wood, Debden (JVN)

NGR: TL 54723466

Saffron Walden (JVN)

NGR: TL 5391 3728

London to Great Chesterford.