Herongate has retained its traditional English village charm despite its close proximity to a busy town centre.
Located just south of Brentwood on the A128, the village has held onto its rural character through centuries of change and development.
Its roots stretch back hundreds of years, with heritage, community, and green space still shaping daily life.
A village with deep roots
Herongate’s older cottages, pubs, village pond, and church reflect a time when the area formed the edge of Ingrave Common.
Many homes along Cricketers Lane and Heron Chase date back to the 17th and 18th centuries, with newer properties added over time.
Although now largely residential, the village still features small businesses at the Old Stock Yard, a joinery workshop, and two long-standing pubs: the Boar’s Head and the Green Man.
In 2003, Herongate and Ingrave were combined to form a single civil parish, now home to around 2,100 people.
A valued way of life
Residents have constantly shown strong support for keeping Herongate's rural character intact.
A range of old cottages and listed buildings, along with a range of open green spaces like Button Common and the Heron Chase pond remain central to village life, while public footpaths offer easy access to the fields and countryside surrounding the parish.
Historical significance
The village takes its name from Heron Hall, a manor originally held by the Heron family before passing to the Tyrells, a prominent Essex family, in the 14th century.
By the 15th century, the manor was described as a fortified brick residence with round towers and a substantial moat.
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The original structure was demolished around 1790, though the later 18th-century Heron Hall, now a Grade II listed building, still stands nearby.
To the east of the current hall, the moated site survives as one of the best-known examples of its kind in Essex, featuring earthwork remains, brick revetting, and tower bases.
The site is a scheduled monument, recognised by Historic England for its historical significance.
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