Castle House

Castle House is a house that was once the Manor House of Chipping Ongar Manor, originating from the 16th century and altered around 1840. It features a timber frame with plaster and a red plain tile roof, which has three symmetrical gables. The building has two storeys and attics, with a three-window range of three-light casements. There is a moulded band above the ground floor windows, and drip hoods over the ground floor windows and the central door, the latter of which has carved face stops. The entrance consists of double doors with 12 panels and a "Tudor Arch" head, approached by four steps. There are single-storey crenellated extensions on both the right and left sides. The house has a red brick chimney stack on the left and a plastered chimney stack on the right. Inside, there are panelled shutters on the windows, 16th-century tie beams in the attics, and 16th and 17th-century panelling in some rooms. In the early 19th century, it was the home of Congregational Minister Isaac Taylor, whose daughter Jane wrote many children's poems, including "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star." The site is also notable for its moated and motte and bailey features.