Great Dunmow
A visit to the historic Essex town of Great Dunmow, exploring the Maltings museum, discovering the story of the famous Dunmow Flitch Trials, and enjoying a stroll along the High Street to Doctors Pond.
Great Dunmow, Essex, CM6 1BG
Our visit
We are frequent travellers to Great Dunmow, driving through it on numerous occasions on the Scenic Route to Saffron Walden or on other trips around the lovely Essex countryside. On this occasion, we decided to stop and visit the lovely museum to learn more about this picturesque and historic town.
The museum is located in the Great Dunmow Maltings, a Grade II listed 16th century timber-framed building which, via the excellent information boards throughout, tell the visitor the story of making malt from barley for the brewing industry, remaining operational until 1948. It houses local history and artifacts with much attention to the Flitch Chair used in the renowned local Dunmow Flitch Trials.
For history buffs, a common claim of the origin of the Dunmow Flitch dates back to 1104 and the Augustinian Priory of Little Dunmow, when the Lord of the Manor and his wife dressed themselves as humble folk and begged blessing of the Prior a year and a day after marriage. Impressed by their devotion, the Prior bestowed upon them a Flitch of Bacon, which then became a custom to this day when the Flitch Trial to win the flitch of bacon is now held every Leap Year. FYI, a flitch of bacon is also known as a side of bacon, which is basically half a pig, cut lengthways, cured and smoked.
Whilst at the museum, we asked the knowledgeable volunteers if they had heard of the Hopkins family who had owned a prominent electrical business in the town as our daughter in law was a Hopkins. We were delighted to be told that the shop was still in the High Street, now occupied by an opticians, which we photographed.
Finally, we had a brief walk in the High Street to Doctors Pond, a very pleasant area in the centre of the town for relaxing or walking, looking over the chimneys and roofs to the countryside beyond. We finished our lovely trip to Great Dunmow at Le Petite Parisien for a welcome cup of tea and, for Graham, a crumble cake, which he relished having refrained from such treats since starting his diet at the beginning of the month - he even ate the meagre crumbs on the plate in the photograph!
Good to know
We parked in White Street car park which was very convenient for both the museum and access to the High Street. As it was Sunday, it cost about £1.80 (can't find details!). The short walk to Doctors Pond and then back into the High St was flat. Thanks to funding from, among others, the National Lottery Fund, the museum was restored between 1998-2000. There is a lift and also very nice toilets!
Getting around
See above.
Photos from our visit
