Tollesbury Hall
Beside the church – home to two emus
Hidden behind St Mary’s Church stands Tollesbury Hall, one of the oldest surviving timber-framed houses in Essex. It is the oldest house in Tollesbury. Built in the 13th century for the powerful Abbess of Barking, it was the centre of the manor that controlled much of the village and surrounding marshes. Its magnificent medieval oak frame demonstrates the wealth and status of its original owners. Once surrounded by farmland, sheep grazing, salt pans and oyster fisheries, Tollesbury Hall reminds us that this small coastal village was among the richest parishes in medieval Essex.
Did you know?
Keep an eye on the paddock beside Tollesbury Hall and you may spot its famous resident emus. One is called Farage, who made national news in 2017 after escaping and racing through the churchyard before being safely caught. The emus have become something of a village attraction, and local legend claims they were won in a poker game. Whether that’s true or simply a well-loved Tollesbury tale is anyone’s guess – but it certainly adds to their charm.