Living in Great Dunmow

Great Dunmow is a small market town dating back to Roman times. Steeped in history with beautiful cottages, historical buildings, and independent local shops. Its perfect blend of rural charm and modern amenities is what puts the ‘Great’ in Great Dunmow.

The town is perhaps best known for its quirky four-yearly tradition, known as the “Flitch Trials”. This 900-year-old ritual involves married couples convincing a jury of six local bachelors and six local maidens that they have never wished themselves unwed for a year and a day. Successful couples are paraded along the High Street and receive a flitch of bacon. The unique tradition was famously mentioned in Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales”.

Don’t let the small size fool you, as Great Dunmow offers a variety of attractions and activities for people from all walks of life.

Nature lovers can enjoy a stroll around the Doctor’s Pond or spend the afternoon at Dunmow Park, both of which are children and dog friendly. Just outside the town, The Gardens of Easton Lodge provide a beautiful setting for a day out, with guided tours and kids’ craft experiences available.

History enthusiasts will appreciate the Maltings Museum and the Great Dunmow Museum, both of which feature many artefacts of the past and offer interesting insights on the social and economic development of the local area over the years.

Previously named “Britain’s Most Extraordinary Home”, The Talliston House & Gardens is a must-visit, with a magical labyrinth of rooms, each taking you on a journey to a different time and place. For a bit of entertainment, the Great Dunmow Comedy Club provides regular giggles for both locals and visitors.

From gift shops and homeware shops to wine shops and coffee shops, the local Great Dunmow community prides itself on its personal and high-quality service, giving you a unique shopping experience every time.
 
The town’s High Street is home to several independent shops, where you will find everything, you need, including The Wardrobe and Chloe’s for clothing, The Interiors Store, Carpet Comfort, and Dunmow Blinds for home furnishings, Greetings and The Curiosity Shop for gift shopping, and Mrs M’s Sweets for a cheeky treat.

Great Dunmow is home to a diverse selection of restaurants, pubs, and cafés. Some of the top places locals recommend are:
 
The Flitch House
The Chameleon Café
The Spotted Dog
Angel and Harp
The Butchers Arms
The Axe and Compasses
La Bonta

What's more, the commuter links in Great Dunmow are exceptional for a rural location.
 
The M11 motorway is about 7 miles away, easily accessible from the A120 trunk road immediately to the south of Great Dunmow and providing a link to London. The town is well-connected to nearby cities and towns too, including Braintree, Colchester, and Ipswich. 
 
Moreover, there is a railway station either side; Braintree to the east and Bishop's Stortford to the west, which take you straight into Liverpool Street on different lines, in around an hour. The town is also located on two main bus routes from Stansted Airport: 133 to Braintree and 42A to Chelmsford.
 
If you love a getaway abroad, then Dunmow is perfectly located, sitting just 6 miles from Stansted with its major airport and also the Stansted Express into London Liverpool Street. The bus from Great Dunmow to Stansted Airport gets you there in less than 30 minutes.

Families with kids will benefit from Great Dunmow’s reputable schools.
 
The Great Dunmow Primary School and Dunmow St Mary's Primary School cater for younger children, while Helena Romanes School provides secondary education.
 
There are also two independent schools in nearby Felsted, located just a 10-minute drive away: Felsted Preparatory School (primary) and Felsted School (secondary).

There are most certainly some exceptional rural and country properties in the area, together with some of the most beautiful and well-kept villages in Essex. Not only can you find substantial character properties outside the town, many are situated within the town centre itself. In addition, there are good quality developments taking place within the boundaries of Dunmow.

See below to discover the properties available or reach out to our estate agents Great Dunmow branch.