Places to see and visit
in Lawford
As we go back to visit these places in our own travels we will expand what to look out for and enjoy. If you get there before us why not contact us and tell us your experiences.
Lawford is a parish to the west of Manningtree further inland along the River Stour.
Lawford is home to many people that serves to swell the numbers visiting Manningtree itself but it stands as it's own interesting parish. In fact Manningtree train station is actually in Lawford.
Lawford Church is most renowned for its 14th C Chancel and in particular the eight stone-framed windows which together with the construction of the external buttresses permitted the provision of a tall enclosed space extremely well lit for the time.
Five of the patterns (surrounding the windows) are considered quite unusual but in all they present a fine example of the ‘English Decorated’ style of Gothic architecture leading to the claim that the Chancel is one of the most splendid monuments of its date in the county.
The north east window is unique among the eight in portraying people and humour. The revellers are dancing, wrestling, playing instruments and holding each other by the leg.
The artistry of the south wall arcade is similarly skilled and inventive. …. The ogee arches, the spandrels and the cill at the top of the arcade are richly carved in deep relief. The piers between have a diaper or squared pattern of flower heads. The subjects in the carvings are in contrast to the more secular work of the window arches having figures robed to the ankles playing the portable organ, psaltery, glittern , organistrum and harp...
This information is taken from a booklet produced by Tom Judson RIBA MRTPI, further copies of which are available in the church.
Lawford Hall is close by and whilst not open to the public the grounds can be glimpsed as you walk along the Essex Way footpath.
King Harold before the Conquest held Lawford Hall and the D'Arcy and Waldegrave families subsequently owned it. It and Dale Hall owned most of the parish between them.
Lawford Hall was rebuilt in 1583 by Edward Waldegrave and was largely refurbished in the 18th century when a brick front was added. The hall, with its avenue of limes, adjacent church rectories and cottages, forms a very pleasant picture at the end of a lane, looking across the Stour. Externally, the house itself looks Georgian but behind the front of 1756 are Elizabethan walls, gabled wings, original chimney stacks and turreted stair turrets.
Agriculture
The pockets of good grade 1 soil are home to a Land Settlement Association Estate in Lawford that was established in 1932. Before then the Salvation Army holdings in Boxted were set up to provide employment and homes for the unemployed in the great depression of the 1930’s. Many of these are still producing fruit, vegetables and salad that are sold locally in the Dedham Vale.
Site designed and maintained by Accent Marketing
Thanks go to all those that have contributed.