East Horndon - Church of All Saints

East Horndon All Saint's Church, 4m S of Brentwood, near junction A127/A128, (Historic Churches Trust). Key available nearby. This fascinating Grade II* listed building, is built of mellow Tudor brick and stands in magnificent isolation above the Southend road with wide views to the Thames. The Tyrells of nearby Heron Hall rebuilt the Norman church in the 15th century and were buried here for four centuries. Years of decay, theft and vandalism followed until the All Saint’s Society and the Trust rescued the church in the 1970s. There is an exquisite memorial slab to Lady Alice Tyrell (d1422), a little chantry and the tomb of Sir Thomas Tyrell (d1476) and his wife Alice, a 15th century roof and two curious galleried upper rooms in each transept, one with a Tudor fireplace, that may have housed a resident priest.