Bretts Farmhouse

Bretts Farmhouse is a late 14th or early 15th century house located on Romford Road in Aveley. It features a timber-framed structure with a plastered upper floor and a red brick ground floor, topped by a grey slate roof. The building is two storeys high and has a half H-plan layout. Modern casement windows have been installed throughout. Inside, there are two late 14th century stone window heads with cinque-foils, and the first floor has timber traceried windows that are now covered. The first level includes two four-centred fireplaces, one made of stone with shields of arms and the other of plastered brick, both dating from around 1600. The original frame and roof of the house are nearly intact, and the first floor hall was originally designed with a barrel vaulted ceiling. It features curved scissor bracing and moulded top plates, while the wing at the north end has a simple crown post roof. The house was initially occupied by the Le Brett family, later by the Celli family, who were prominent merchants, and finally by the Barrett family, including Anne Barrett, the mother of regicide Miles Corbett. The farmhouse is situated within a moated area.