Rook Hall, Cressing, Essex

A view towards Rooks Hall with its amazing chimney viewed above the treetops. Parts of Cressing became the centre of an estate belonging to the Order of the Knights Templar (the Templars) which was granted to them by Queen Matilda in 1137. The Witham church estates, which probably included parts of Cressing (as distinct from the Templar estate), were granted by King Stephen (1135-54) to the Canons of St Martins, London.

In the following centuries a number of farms and small holdings were established in the Cressing area, including the building of the Horse Shoes (from 15th century), Rook Hall which probably dates from the 16th century, and the Willows public house (16th century). These vernacular buildings were characterised by the use of steeply pitched tiled roofs, with side hung casement windows, although alteration of roof pitches, additions and the changing of windows to double hung vertical sliding sashes may disguise the original building styles