Buckhurst Hill History
Thanks to Lynn Haseldine Jones
Buckhurst Hill is a pleasant residential settlement in the southwest corner of Essex, adjacent to London, with half of its land being taken up by Epping Forest and other open spaces.
The earliest reference to Buckhurst Hill was in 1135 with a transfer of the Manor of Buckhurst Hill by William de Montfitchet to the Abbey of Stratford. In the fifteenth century, Edward IV gave to his brother, George Duke of Clarence, a property in the area of the forest which became Buckhurst Hill. This was a hunting lodge which later became a farmhouse, with various names over time, but it was later known as Langfords. The house, with its mediaeval origins, survived until 1959. Its location is off King’s Avenue where the road Langfords is now.
Our section of the main road from London to Newmarket, of the seventeenth century, later developed into Buckhurst Hill High Road, and coaching inns were established, such as the Roebuck and the Bald Faced Stag. Later, in the early 19th century, the Epping New Road was constructed and large houses were built on that road and the High Road – Buckhurst Hill House is one that remains. St John’s church began in 1837 and it has been much extended over the years.
Postcards
Buckhurst Hill developed gradually but in 1856 the Eastern Counties Railway Company arrived with a line from Stratford to Loughton. This brought a huge change in housing and infrastructure. Many fine Victorian and Edwardian buildings remain to this day, adding character to the village. Queen’s Road’s older buildings are a pleasure to shop in. Buckhurst Hill Urban District Council came into being on 1 January 1895. It was incorporated into Chigwell in 1933. In 1996 Buckhurst Hill Parish Council came into being.
A number of distinguished artists and writers have chosen to live in Buckhurst Hill over the years.
Buckhurst Hill, on the doorstep of the ancient Epping Forest, is a desirable location across the age spectrum for many reasons. It has excellent access to public transport via the Buckhurst Hill and Roding Valley Underground Stations on the Central Line, the Chingford-Liverpool Street London Overground (Weaver) line nearby, buses and motorways. There are many other facilities including those connected to health, education, religion and leisure to name a few.