Parish Lock Up 2 Metres South East Of Drury'S Farmhouse

The parish lock-up, located 2 metres south-east of Drury's Farmhouse in Mountnessing, dates from the early 19th century. It is a timber-framed structure clad with horizontal oak boards and features a roof that is partly covered with corrugated iron and partly with old doors. The building has a rectangular plan oriented northeast to southwest and is divided into two cells.

The southwest cell has a door that is complete with two hasped long hinges that engage with staples on the frame. The northeast cell has a similar door, but it features one original hinge and one replaced hinge. There is a small rectangular opening with an iron grill on the southeast side and a similar blocked opening on the northwest side. The northwest pitch of the roof is clad with corrugated iron, while the southeast pitch is covered with old doors. The oak frame is secured with rebated horizontal oak boards and large handmade nails.

Although in a neglected condition, this lock-up retains more of its original structure and features than other parish lock-ups that have been listed for many years, such as those in Tollesbury and Great Bardfield, Essex.