Cockrells

House. Dating from the early to mid 17th century, it was altered around 1800 and restored in 1922. The house is timber framed, with plaster over, exposing restored framing, and a roof of handmade red plain tiles. The main range consists of five bays facing southeast, with a contemporary stack at the rear near the left end and a later stack near the right end. A two-bay wing extends to the rear of the right stack, with a 20th-century external stack on the left. A one-bay wing is attached to the left of this, possibly the original stair tower, and another one-bay wing to its left. Two single-storey extensions project beyond the final wing, one featuring a central stack and hipped roof, the other a flat roof. The house has two storeys and attics. The ground floor has two 20th-century oriels with flanking windows designed to resemble those of around 1600. The first floor mirrors this arrangement, with two oriels, flanking windows, and a 20th-century casement, all in a similar style. Three 20th-century casements are set within gabled dormers. The front door is 20th century, with a four-centred head, roll-moulded surround, and a carved four-centred doorhead reminiscent of the early 16th century. A full-length jetty shows exposed joists of a vertical section. Much of the exposed framing on the front, right return, and left gable dates from the 1922 restoration; the rest is plastered. Internally, the framework reveals unjowled posts, straight bracing, and studding, much of it restored. Chamfered transverse beams and axial bridging beams with lamb's tongue stops are present at both storeys; some were mutilated for previous plaster, and others were renewed in 1922. Similar beams are above the ground floor of the right wing, while the remainder of that wing is fully plastered. The left ground-floor hearth is original and was restored, both internally and externally. The hearth above it has original moulded jambs and a depressed arch, with the back and internal splays repointed, seemingly of 17th-century origin. The right stack has a 20th-century hearth on the ground floor and an ornate Victorian cast iron grate above. The roof retains its original joggled butt-purlin structure, ceiled above collar level. Deeds dating from the time of George III are held by the owner or at the Essex Record Office.