History of Downham

Downham is the largest, by land area, of the three South Hanningfield Parish Wards. School Road forms the centre of the village, where the village pond can be found. Although the pond forms part of the highway drainage system officially it can still be used to water horses and farm animals. Opposite the pond are the Jubilee Gardens and village sign which were both put in place to commemorate the Queen’s Silver and Gold Jubilees. The village hall stands to the left of the pond.

Downham village although not mentioned in the Doomsday Book can trace its origins back to Roman times. It was originally included in the demesne of Ramesdana and was owned by Richard de Belhus from which Ramsden Bellhouse takes its name. From the time of William the Conqueror the history of Downham was dominated principally by three manors, Fremnells, which according to local legend was where Guy Fawkes planned the Gunpowder plot, Barn Hall and Downham Hall. These manors were owned by various wealthy families, the Tyrell, De Vere and De Beauvoir families being the most famous. These family names are preserved today by their use as street and location names. In 1934 the parish boundaries were redrawn and the Parish of Downham was merged, as a Ward within the newly formed South Hanningfield Parish. During the 1950’s the original Fremnells manor house was demolished and its stone used to form part of the retaining dam for the Hanningfield Reservoir.

To the south of Downham village is the church of Saint Margaret of Antioch which was built on the site of a Saxon church following the Norman invasion. The church, with its Norman embattled tower, stands on top of the second highest point in Essex, and offers spectacular views to the south as far reaching as the Thames Estuary and the Kent coast. Unfortunately in 1977 the church suffered a serious fire but over a protracted period was painstakingly and lovingly restored. At the church can be found the 18^th century Dovecote which was originally located at Downham Hall but in 1991 it was moved in its entirety and was rebuilt adjoining the Church’s 17^th century stables. Also within the church grounds there is one of the oldest Field Maple trees in England that is today adorned by a circular seat around its girth. To the South of Saint Margaret’s is Downham Hall which is now just a small remnant of the original manor house.

Downham is proud to have an Essex Wildlife Centre (entrance on Hawkswood Road) that offers not only access to the wildlife of the Hanningfield Reservoir but also a shop and on hand assistance with visitors’ enquiries. Downham, along with Ramsden Heath and South Hanningfield, also offers access to some of the best maintained public footpaths and rights of way that give access to the undulating countryside and can be enjoyed by the whole family.