Attractions and Places To See around Barnston - Top 20
Best attractions and places to see around Barnston include historical sites and scenic routes. Located in a rural setting, the area offers opportunities for exploring former railway lines converted into trails. Visitors can discover local history and enjoy cafes popular with cyclists and walkers. The region provides a mix of cultural points of interest and places to relax.
Best attractions and places to see around Barnston
- The most popular attractions is Rayne Station and Flitch Way Visitor Centre, a cycle way that serves as a stop on the Flitch Way cycle and hiking trail. This former train station houses a visitor centre, a cafe, and a railway carriage museum.
- Another must-see spot is The Snug at High Easter, a cafe. This friendly establishment offers a selection of food and drinks, and is known for welcoming cyclists.
- Visitors also love The Blue Egg Café, a cafe. It is a popular stop for cyclists, offering fresh, locally sourced food and natural energy bars.
- Barnston is known for historical sites, cafes, and sections of cycle and hiking trails. The area offers a variety of attractions to see and explore, from former railway halts to places of worship.
- The attractions around Barnston are appreciated by the komoot community, with more than 60 upvotes and 17 photos shared.
Last updated: June 23, 2026
Rayne Station and Flitch Way Visitor Centre
Highlight • Cycleway
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The Snug at High Easter
Highlight • Cafe
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St John the Evangelist Church, Bush End
Highlight • Religious Site
In 1850’s there was a move by the gentry to construct
Churches to provide a Christian faith for the less
fortunate.
On Friday 5th August 1859 the consecration of this neat
little structure, situated in the ancient forest of Hatfield,
and on what was formerly considered the most wild and
destitute part of the parish.
Two notable men lay at the heart of the Church. These
being:
John Archer Houblon
Rev. Thomas Francis Hall
The early years…….
The church was built in the Gothic style favoured
at that time
The foundation stone was laid on 8th July 1856
and can be seen on the outside of the south-east
end of the church, it reads:
“To the glory of the eternal Trinity. This dedication
stone of the church of St John the Evangelist was
laid July 8 1856 by Sarah daughter of the late
Stanes Chamberlyne Esq. formerly of the Ryes in
this parish”.
The connection with Hatfield Forest
The names of the Houblon family and the Rev T Hall occur many times in the history of the church.
The Houblon family owned Hallingbury Park that once stood adjacent to the forest. It was used as a hunting forest and they enjoyed country pursuits by the lake. Indeed the famous landscape gardener Capability
Brown redesigned the lake and surrounding parkland.
The stained glass windows of the apse of St Peter was presented by Georgina Anne Archer Houblon in 1857.
The centre window is that of the patronal dedication - St John the Evangelist. This was given in memory of Robert Impey first born child of Thomas Hall MA Vicar of the parish and Mary Phillippa his wife. The right hand window was presented by Joseph Clarke Esq. the
Diocesan architect in 1844.
There are also two in Hatfield Heath church in memory of Mr Hall’s infant daughter Mary jane who died from scarlet fever in 1844. Mr Hall himself died in 1858 one
year before the consecration of the two churches that
he brought into being. Indeed it was said that he died
in consequence from anxiety, of frequent disappointment and of over exertion in his endeavors
to get the churches built!
Mr Houblon indeed was to say at the consecration “….had he lived to see these churches consecrated he
was sure it would have been one of the happiest days of his life.”
The Parish of Bush End….
The power of faith….
In 1864 Bush End became a separate parish but was resided by the vicar of Hatfield Broad oak as was Hatfield Heath. In 1929 the living became vacant and since that date has been linked with that of Broad Oak. Indeed the name Broad Oak is linked to that of the famous Doodle Oak tree that stood in the Hatfield Forest parkland.
The church has an early english inscription of the ten commandments written in red and black. It is worthy of record that whereas the neighbourhood used formerly to be the most notorious for thieves, poachers and deer stealers, not one of the reverend’s gentlemen’s flock has been before the magistrate since the vicar was resident within them!
Dedication of organ as a war memorial at Bush End…..
Within the church there once was a church organ donated by the Rev. F W Galpin as a memorial to those who fell in the great war 1914-1919 within the parish.
The only evidence today is the brass plaque that would have been located on the organ.
It’s cost was £200 but sadly this memorial was either sold or donated to another church.
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Parish Church of the Holy Trinity, Takeley
Highlight • Historical Site
The late 15th-century font-cover and pulpit are noteworthy.
Architectural DescriptionThe Chancel (25 ft. by 20 ft.) has a modern E. window; the external jambs and the rear arch of the larger early 14th-century E. window are still visible. In the E. bay of the N. wall is a mid 13th-century window, completely restored externally; it is of two lancet lights with external rebate and linked labels; the moulded two-centred rear arch is common to both; and has shafted jambs. Further W. is a modern arch to the organ-chamber. In the S. wall are two windows; the eastern is similar to that in the N. wall, but retains more original work, and the western is modern, except part of the splays. Between the windows is a doorway with a rear arch probably of the 13th century, but otherwise almost entirely modern. The chancel-arch is modern.
The Nave (55 ft. by 21 ft.) has two windows in the N. wall; the eastern is of three cinquefoiled lights, and apparently of the 15th century, but only the rear arch and splay are original, and they have been much scraped; the western window is of 16th-century brick and of two four-centred lights under a square-headed external outer order; below it are the jambs of a blocked doorway of brick and tiles; some of the brick is Roman; at the E. end in the thickness of the wall are the stairs to the rood-loft, but the doorways are blocked and plastered; on the N. side of the stairs is a small loop, and below it are the jambs and sill of a larger blocked window of uncertain date. The S. arcade, opening into the S. aisle, is of four bays; the eastern or transept-arch is of late 13th-century date; the E. respond has a half-octagonal shaft with a moulded and scraped capital, and a defaced moulded base; the W. respond was altered into an octagonal column when the aisle was built in the 14th century, and has a straight joint down the middle; the capital was also altered, but the original base, now defaced, was retained and completed; the two-centred arch is of two moulded orders; the remaining bays of the arcade have octagonal columns with moulded bases and capitals, and a half-column as a W. respond; the two-centred arches are of two chamfered orders.
The South Aisle (12 ft. wide) incorporates the E. and S. walls of the late 13th-century transept; a gable was added to the E. wall and the W. wall was destroyed about the middle of the 14th century. In the E. wall is a 15th-century window of three cinquefoiled lights with tracery under a two-centred head; the external and internal reveals are hollow-moulded and much defaced with cement. In the S. wall of the former transept some traces of a window are apparent under the plaster and cement with which the wall is covered. Further W. are two windows, the eastern is of mid 14th-century date, and of two cinquefoiled lights with a quatrefoil in a two-centred head; the western window is of late 13th-century date, and was probably originally in the transept; it is of two trefoiled lights with a quatrefoil in a two-centred head. Further W. is the S. doorway, probably of the 14th century; it is of two chamfered orders, much scraped and restored. In the W. wall is a modern window.
The West Tower (10 ft. by 9 ft.) is of late 15th-century date, much restored, and of three stages with diagonal buttresses and a S.E. stair-turret, an embattled parapet, and a small timber spire or spike. The tower-arch is of two moulded and chamfered orders, the outer order is continuous, and the inner rests on half-round shafts with moulded capitals and bases. The W. window is of three cinquefoiled lights with tracery, almost entirely modern, under a two-centred head; the external label has head-stops. Below the window is the W. doorway of two moulded orders, the inner order two-centred, and the outer squareheaded, with quatrefoils containing blank shields in the spandrels. In the N. and S. walls of the second stage are small single-light windows, that on the S. is much restored. The bell-chamber has four windows each of two cinquefoiled lights with a quatrefoil in a two-centred head, under a label with head-stops, much restored.
The South Porch (12 ft. by 10 ft.) is of late 15th-century date, and has been much restored. The entrance has a two-centred arch of two orders, the outer order is moulded and continuous, the inner is chamfered and rests on engaged octagonal shafts; above the arch is a niche flanked by two loops. The E. and W. walls have each a square-headed window of two cinquefoiled lights with moulded internal and external reveals.
The Roof of the nave is high-pitched and ceiled with modern boarding; four late 15th-century king-post trusses are exposed; the king-posts have moulded capitals and bases. The roof of the aisle is high-pitched and plastered internally. The roof of the porch is high-pitched, and has late 15th-century moulded wall-plates and tie-beam. The first floor of the tower has chamfered beams framed round a square bell-way of the 15th-century.
FittingsBells: four; 1st dated 1579; 2nd by William Calverden, late 15th or early 16th-century, inscribed "Assit principio Sancta Maria meo"; 4th by Robert Oldfield, 1604. Bracket: On second column of arcadewith carved head-corbel and above it a trefoiled canopy cut in the capital of column. Brass: In chancelon N. wall, recording the benefactions of Hannah Knollys, 1689. Cupboard: In S. aislewith linen-fold panels, formerly a font-case, late 16th-century. Doors: In S. doorwaymodern door with strap-hinges, probably 15th-century. In towerin W. doorway, framed and boarded, with strap-hinges, 15th-century; in doorway of stair-turretwith straphinges, scutcheon, and drop-ring ornamented with two four-leaf flowers, 15th-century. Font-cover: octagonal, spire-shaped, with elaborate traceried sides, crocketed and finialled canopies and buttresses, late 15th or early 16th-century, much restored. Floor-slabs: In chancel(1) to William Collyn, 1684, with arms; (2) to Hannah (Collins) widow of Francis Knollis, 1689, with arms; (3) to John Kendall, 1679, with arms; (4) to William Touse, Sergeant-at-Law, 1632; (5) to Mary English, 1695, and John, her husband, vicar of the parish, 1716, with arms. In S. aislein S. doorway, (6) coffin-shaped slab, used as threshold. Niches: In towerover W. window, with embattled pedestal, cinquefoiled head and square label with a foliated cross above it, late 15th-century. On porchover entrance, with cinquefoiled head, shaped canopy and crocketed spire, much restored, late 15th-century; (see also Miscellanea). Piscina: In chancelwith shafted jambs and trefoiled head, mid 13th-century, scraped and restored, basins modern.
Pulpit: Of oak, hexagonal, five sides remain, panels with moulded frames and rich cinquefoiled and pinnacled designs, panelled trumpet-shaped base, late 15th-century. Recess: In navein N. wall towards E. end, set above floor, tall, with sub-cusped trefoiled head, embattled cornice and flanking buttresses, probably the doorway of the rood-stairs, late 15th or early 16th-century.
Seating: In chancelfour traceried heads from old seating or screen, incorporated in modern work; in naveeleven bench-ends with traceried heads, partly original; on S. side, at W. end, four complete open seats with traceried bench-ends; in clerk's desk, four traceried heads, all late 15th or early 16th-century. Miscellanea: In S. aisleon E. wall, S. of window, cinquefoiled head, probably of niche, not in situ, 15th-century.
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Bannister Green Halt
Highlight • Monument
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Tips from the Community
It is a small church with a small cemetery. It is a bit hidden away among the trees.
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Watch out for pedestrians and dogs, great place to stop to refuel.
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Easy route, suitable for all bikes and ages. Can be bumpy in places.
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Brilliant cafe in High Easter - great place for a cafe stop on a ride through Essex. Well worth checking out
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Bannister Green Halt was sited on the up side of the line and consisted of a clinker platform with timber facing raised to rail level; it was attended by staff from Felsted or Rayne Stations. It was one of two halts built by the GER in 1922 to attract passengers to the railway and counteract the then recently introduced bus service. Passengers joining or alighting at the halt were required to use retractable steps mounted by the side of the coach and operated by the guard.
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Former halt on Flitch Way railway route. Great for a gravel bike ride!
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Great place for a break! Able to order outside (if the weather is nice) so don't need to worry about securing bike if a solo biker!
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Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of attractions can I expect to find around Barnston?
Around Barnston, you'll discover a mix of historical sites, charming cafes, and sections of popular cycle and hiking trails. The area is known for its rural setting, offering opportunities to explore former railway lines converted into scenic routes.
What historical sites can I visit near Barnston?
You can explore several historical sites, including the former railway stations along the Flitch Way. Notable examples are Rayne Station and Flitch Way Visitor Centre, which now houses a visitor centre, cafe, and railway carriage museum, and Bannister Green Halt, another former railway halt on the Flitch Way. Additionally, St John the Evangelist Church, Bush End, offers a glimpse into local religious history, dating back to 1859.
Are there good walking or cycling trails near Barnston?
Yes, the area is well-suited for walking and cycling, particularly along the Flitch Way, a converted railway line. This trail offers easy routes suitable for various activities. For more detailed routes, you can explore options like the "Flitch Way — East section – Bannister Green Halt loop" for cycling or several easy hikes around Flitch Green, such as the "Rumblebees Café – Plunge Pool in the Stream loop." You can find more routes in the Cycling around Barnston and Easy hikes around Barnston guides.
Where can I find places to eat or drink near Barnston?
Barnston and its surroundings offer several popular cafes, especially favored by cyclists and walkers. The Snug at High Easter is a friendly spot with a good selection of food and drinks. The Blue Egg Café is another institution, known for fresh, locally sourced food and natural energy bars. You can also find a cafe at Rayne Station and Flitch Way Visitor Centre, perfect for a stop along the Flitch Way.
Are there family-friendly attractions around Barnston?
Absolutely. Many attractions cater to families. Rayne Station and Flitch Way Visitor Centre is a great option, featuring a railway carriage museum that children enjoy exploring. The Flitch Way itself, which passes by Bannister Green Halt, offers easy and safe routes for family walks and bike rides.
What do visitors particularly enjoy about the attractions near Barnston?
Visitors frequently praise the welcoming atmosphere of the local cafes, many of which are known for being cyclist-friendly and offering fresh, local produce. The historical aspect of the former railway line, now the Flitch Way, is also highly appreciated, with places like Rayne Station offering a unique blend of history and recreation. The ease and accessibility of the trails for walking and cycling are also a big draw.
Are there any dog-friendly walking routes or attractions in the Barnston area?
The Flitch Way, being a former railway line, generally offers flat and open paths, making it suitable for dog walking. While specific dog-friendly amenities at attractions might vary, the outdoor trails are usually welcoming for pets on a leash. Always ensure to follow local guidelines regarding dogs on trails and in public spaces.
What is the best time of year to visit Barnston for outdoor activities?
The spring and summer months generally offer the most pleasant weather for outdoor activities like walking and cycling around Barnston. However, the Flitch Way's relatively flat and well-maintained surface means it can be enjoyed year-round, though some sections might be muddy during wetter winter months. Always check local weather conditions before heading out.
Are there any easy walks suitable for all abilities near Barnston?
Yes, the Flitch Way provides many easy walking opportunities. Its flat terrain, as a converted railway line, makes it accessible for various abilities. Several easy hikes around Flitch Green are available, such as the "Rumblebees Café – Flitch Way loop," which are generally short and manageable. You can find more details in the Easy hikes around Barnston guide.
Can I find mountain biking trails near Barnston?
Yes, there are mountain biking opportunities around Barnston. Routes like the "Great Dunmow trails loop" or the "Flitch Way road crossing – Flitch Way — East section loop" offer options for mountain bikers. These trails vary in difficulty from easy to moderate. For more information and specific routes, refer to the MTB Trails around Barnston guide.
Is there parking available near the main attractions in Barnston?
Parking availability varies by attraction. For instance, Rayne Station and Flitch Way Visitor Centre typically has dedicated parking for visitors. For other trailheads or village attractions, street parking or small public car parks might be available. It's advisable to check specific location details if driving.
Most popular attractions around Barnston
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