Horham Hall

Horham Hall, near Thaxted, is a large house originally built around 1470 as a timber-framed structure. In the early 16th century, it was extended and partially rebuilt in red brick by John Cutte, with extensive restoration occurring in the mid-19th century. The building has red plain tile roofs with 19th-century crenellated parapets and early 16th-century stepped gables.

Originally designed with an "H" plan, the early 16th-century house became quadrangular, including a gatehouse. The windows are a mix of stone and plastered brick. The East elevation features a two-storied porch with a four-centred outer archway of two hollow-chamfered arches and a label. The inner doorway has moulded jambs and a four-centred arch. A large, semi-octagonal oriel window overlooks the hall, boasting trefoiled lights surmounted by a quatrefoil square head. A north wing is connected by an angled passageway with 19th-century windows, while the south wing features a two-story bay window with three facing lights having four-centred heads. A large square staircase tower rises on the north elevation, topped by a 19th-century parapet. The original doorway on the east side retains its historic doorcase. The west side shows 19th-century restoration work and includes a prominent early 16th-century chimney stack with crow-stepped capping, a rectangular base, two octagonal shafts, and one diagonal shaft.

The south elevation incorporates a 17th-century kitchen range set at an angle, along with a 16th-century chimney stack featuring three octagonal shafts and oversailing caps; the centre shaft is decorated with zig-zag roll ornament. The hall roof incorporates a hexagonal timber lantern with a four-centred light in each face.

Internally, numerous original details remain, including 16th-century stained glass. An original screen to a passage has two doorways with four-centred arches in square heads and pierced spandrels. Original clunch fireplaces are found in the north wing, and a staircase has solid oak treads in the lower section. Late 15th-century timber framing is exposed in the south wing, alongside fine late 15th-century roof construction, featuring combined crown posts and framed side purlins, arch braced side purlins, four-armed crown posts with diagonal shafts, moulded bases and capitals. The kitchen maintains its original two-story height. The first floor has early 16th-century fireplaces and doors. Barrel-vaulted ceilings are present in the hall and the south wing's first floor. A late 16th-century staircase features square newels with guilloche ornament and moulded tops, along with turned balusters. A wall painting is said to survive behind 19th-century panelling.

The site is moated, with late 15th and early 16th-century brick revetments visible along parts of the moat. In more recent times, the house has been occupied by Sir George Binney, the arctic explorer, and the novelist Evelyn Anthony.