Little Maplestead

Originally built in 1335, what is seen today is mostly the result of extensive restoration of 1851-7. This church is one of only four round churches in England, built by the Knights Hospitallers on the pattern of the Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem.

This church was first built by the Normans and its tower and apse date from that period. Other parts of the church date from the 14th century.

The road is called Lucking Street. The building on the left is named Lucking House and the group of buildings on the right says Lucking Farm, but the O/S map calls the whole plot Luckinghouse Farm.

This place was once known as Hall Farm and still has most of the original farm buildings. It stands directly opposite the parish church.

A typical view of this mixed farming landscape, cricket bat willows in the middle distance beside the brook.

Stanley Hall stands on a moated site, which is close to Pebmarsh.

Tree on side of footpath. Footpath between Oak Road and Hampers Lane. Very cold and frosty day pre-Christmas. Brrr.

This is the view from Cock Road.

Church of St. John the Baptist Grade II* Parish Church, originally a chapel of The Knights of St. John of Jerusalem - Knights Hospitallers. Circa 1340. Largely rebuilt 1849-55. South Vestry and West Porch late C19. Flint rubble with limestone dressings. Red plain tiled roofs. Although practically rebuilt the church is of great interest on account of the plan. It has one of the five remaining circular naves in England. The Chancel has a semi-circular apse with traces of the blocked East window. There are two C19 windows in north and south walls of two lights with quatrefoils over and C19 stained glass. C19 two centred arched door to south vestry. In the north wall between the windows are traces of a blocked doorway. There is no chancel arch. The round Nave with an arcade of six bays. The two centred arches are of slightly wave moulded orders. The columns are each of three filleted shafts divided by V shaped projections with C19 capitals and bases (all much restored). From each pier springs a two-centred arch which crosses the aisle and rests on carved foliage corbels on the outer wall. The outer wall has four Cl9 windows, longer but otherwise matching those of the Chancel. West doorway possibly C14 restored Cl9. Of two chamfered orders the west face carved with panels containing quatrefoil flowers. Label carved with upright and reversed triangles, each with trefoil flowers. Arcade walls support a Cl9 bell turret with a tiled pyramidal roof. Gabled dormers to main roof and small sound louvres to weatherboarded bell turret. Iron weathercock to apex. Cl9 enclosed west porch, with 4 light windows to north and south, flint plinth and boarded front. Vertically boarded double doors. Font. Probably C11. Limestone. Rough, originally a square bowl, with angles cut away to form an octagon. Two scroll volutes to two faces, two rounded arches to one face. Off centre saltire to the fourth face

The church of St. John the Baptist Little Maplestead Essex.

This tree is on the track between Hampers Lane and 'Samsons - the old woodworks'.