Child's Common

Downs, Moorland in Essex Uttlesford

England

Child's Common

Junction and Sign The meeting of Hatfield Forest Road/ Wood Row/ Greenhill. — Junction and Sign Credit: David Bremner

Child's Common is a picturesque area located in the county of Essex, England. It is situated within the district of Uttlesford, and is known for its beautiful countryside and diverse natural landscapes. The common, which covers an approximate area of 320 acres, consists of both downs and moorland.

The downs of Child's Common are characterized by their gently rolling hills and open grasslands. These areas provide ample space for recreational activities such as walking, picnicking, and birdwatching. The downs are also home to a wide variety of plant and animal species, making it a popular spot for nature enthusiasts.

In contrast, the moorland of Child's Common offers a distinct landscape with its heather-covered hills and peat bogs. This unique habitat supports a range of wildlife, including birds like the Eurasian curlew and the common snipe. The moorland is also dotted with small ponds and streams, adding to its natural beauty.

Child's Common is managed by the Essex Wildlife Trust, which works to preserve and protect the area's natural heritage. The trust has implemented various conservation measures to ensure the long-term sustainability of the common, including habitat restoration and the control of invasive species.

Visitors to Child's Common can enjoy the tranquility of nature, as well as the opportunity to explore the surrounding trails and footpaths. The area is easily accessible by car, with parking facilities available nearby. Overall, Child's Common offers a peaceful and idyllic escape for those seeking to immerse themselves in the beauty of the Essex countryside.

Show me another place!

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Child's Common Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.833232/0.22967935 or Grid Reference TL5317. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Junction and Sign

The meeting of Hatfield Forest Road/ Wood Row/ Greenhill.

David Bremner

Tree on field boundary

The boundary is actually a ditch, but rather swamped with vegetation at the end of June.

Robin Webster

Cannons Lane, Hatfield Broad Oak

The Broad Street Green part of the village.

Robin Webster

Footpath through The Marsh

This area north of Hatfield Broad Oak, formerly apparently common grazing, is a good wildlife habitat. Though there are some areas of standing water (one can be seen to the right here), most of the marshy area was dry today - as was Pincey Brook, whose course the path runs beside.

Trevor Harris

View from the lane north of Copperfields

Trevor Harris

Field, lane and a bit of hedgerow

Taken on the lane between Copperfields and Forest Hall.

Trevor Harris

Pillars of an ecclesiastical dispute

Or maybe not. This is the east end of St Mary the Virgin. The pillars here are the remaining two of four pillars which supported the central tower of the Benedictine Priory church - which until the Dissolution was twice as long as the present church. So much is not in dispute; however notes in the church say the church was divided by this east wall following violent disputes between the parish and its priest, and the monks - who the parishioners accused of not maintaining the then-shared. This was supposedly carried out on the orders of the king as a solution to the dispute. I can't find any reference to these events on-line, in Victoria County History etc although other disputes are recorded concerning the priory. I suspect that maybe the east wall was constructed in 1536 when the priory was dissolved in order to reduce the church to more manageable proportions - though I stand to be corrected.

Trevor Harris

Straight road near Forest Farm

This very straight section is about a kilometre in length and may mark the route of a Roman road heading for Takeley Street (several other straight sections occur between here and Takeley Street). "Street" in a place name often denotes a settlement on a Roman road and indeed Takeley Street is on Stane Street running east to west. I think it's not too fanciful to see this as a Roman route to Stane Street.

Trevor Harris

Finger post at junction near Bridgefoot Farm

Directions shown are left to Takeley and Hatfield Forest, right to Hatfield Broad Oak, and towards the photographer, to Woodside Green and Hallingbury. For a close-up see photo from contributor David Bremner TL5418 : Junction and Sign

Trevor Harris

Ryes Lane

Looking north from near Corringales.

Trevor Harris

On the road to Hatfield Heath

Near Town Grove.

Trevor Harris

Field and footpath

North of Hatfield Heath. If you are sharp-eyed you may be able to spot the tower of St Mary the Virgin at Hatfield Broad Oak - on the skyline towards the left.

Trevor Harris