Ongar offers a focus on cultural history and several themes for excursions. In Chipping Ongar, you can explore the town’s history through its buildings and street layout; the Epping Ongar Railway, local walking routes, and the Essex Way offer other points of interest. For planning, it helps to make a simple distinction: would you mainly like to explore the townscape, take a train ride, or make a walking route the main focus?

Local History and the High Street

The historic centre of Chipping Ongar has changed little in appearance and layout since the Middle Ages. Chipping Ongar has more than 100 listed buildings and other structures. The remains of the motte-and-bailey castle in Chipping Ongar are still intact; Ongar Castle is designated a Scheduled Monument. The route of the former medieval town defences can be traced around the Pleasance car park and along Castle Street.

The High Street also offers clear points of reference. The former marketplace is still recognisable as the widest section between Wren House and Manor House. Chipping Ongar High Street also offers a series of attractive sightlines. The wide section provides a point of reference, while the sightlines draw the eye along the street.

St Martin’s Church

St Martin’s Church is just a short walk from Ongar High Street. The nave and chancel date from the 11th century; the church also has a Norman tower. This gives the church a different focus from the streetscape: here, two parts of the building can be dated, while a third can be identified as a Norman tower. The short walking distance is useful for planning your day if you would like to visit both the church architecture and the High Street.

Railway and Walking Routes

The Epping Ongar Railway runs steam and diesel locomotives between the villages of Ongar and North Weald and into Epping Forest. Several local walking routes start from North Weald and Ongar stations. This offers two different approaches to planning: a train ride focuses on the journey itself, while for a walk you can choose one of the stations as your starting point.

Another walking option is the Essex Way, which passes through Ongar. The route crosses roads there, making Ongar a suitable point to start or join the trail. This differs from the local walking routes that start at the stations: on the Essex Way, Ongar itself is a point along the route, whereas North Weald and Ongar are the starting points for the local walks.

Connections and Further Details

The bus connection to the Epping Ongar Railway is also relevant when planning your onward travel. Historic London buses connect the railway regularly during the day with the London Underground at Epping and Greater Anglia and Elizabeth line train services at Shenfield. Connections vary by destination: at Epping, you can connect to the Underground; at Shenfield, to train services. Check the operators’ timetables before your specific journey.

Ongar station is also a Grade II listed building. This means that, alongside the journey itself, the station is another historic feature of the town. The Epping Ongar Railway also operates a restaurant on the train, serving street food and cream teas.

Discover more destinations: Rivenhall, Tiptree, Warley, Great Baddow, Nazeing, Saffron Walden, Basildon, Finchingfield

For the wider travel overview: Essex.