About the village of Aldham

Aldham is a village of 210 households with a population of about 510 of whom about 80 are young people under 21. The ecclesiastical parish has the same boundaries as the civil parish. It is situated 5 miles west of Colchester, and its proximity to Marks Tey station means that commuting to London is easily feasible. Employment within the village consists of small craft workshops, three working farms, and a commercial orchard specialising in rare varieties of apple. The parish covers approximately 3 square miles and has two main population centres, one around the church and the other at Ford Street on the A1124. New housing in the village is currently restricted by planning law to replacement only.

The village sign, which is sited between the church and the Village Hall, depicts the church, the profile of Philip Morant historian of Essex who was Rector of Aldham from 1745 to 1770, an apple tree and the bridge over the river Colne which forms part of the boundary of the parish. It was made by Fred Patten of Cummins Farm.

Aldham is an old village, first mentioned in the Doomsday Book. The Church of St Catherine and St Margaret was moved from its original position on Church House Farm, Rectory Road, where it had stood since the 13th Century, to its present position. It was rebuilt and completed in 1855. Some of the original features can still be seen, including the porch, which was brought from the original site. Ford Street is the oldest part of the village. Some of the houses date back to the 15th Century, and in the past this street was a hive of activity, with a mill, blacksmiths, butcher, baker, cooper and even a shoe shop. Gallows Green, on the corner of the Halstead Road and Green Lane, is a protected area and is managed by the Parish Council. On the corner of the junction is a small cottage known as Tollgate Cottage and was the toll keeper’s cottage in the 18th and 19th Century.

There are many footpaths and walks around the village, all of which are in reasonable condition. The Essex Way passes through the village following the course of the river Colne. Hoe Wood, Tey Road, Aldham is owned and managed by the Woodland Trust and is open to members of the public with views across the valley towards Chappel and the thirty-two arches of the railway viaduct.

There is no school in Aldham. The designated primary school for Aldham is in neighbouring Eight Ash Green. Aldham Church maintains a link with this school.

Millenium Playing Field in Brook Road is leased to the Village and managed by the Parish Council. Play equipment and picnic tables for all to enjoy but no dogs allowed. This is part of the lease conditions and is strictly enforced.