Also known as Greensted church, this unassuming spot is both rustic and charming - you might almost…read moreexpect Hansel and Gretel to walk in at any moment - but is also historically very important. The nave walls are built of upright, halved wooden logs - for here is Europe's oldest wooden building still standing, and the oldest wooden church in the world. History The history of the site dates back around 1300 years: the land of the East Saxons - now Essex - was evangelised By Saint Cedd in 654AD, who was based at nearby Bradwell on the Essex coast. Remains have been found under the present church of a wooden building dating from the late sixth or seventh century, which may have been a sanctuary used by the early missionaries. The dedication to St Andrew also suggests a Celtic foundation. The present nave was erected around 1060AD; the logs have been dated by dendrochronology (ie by tree-rings) to around this period. It was originally dated to some 200 years earlier, but even with this date its status as Europe's oldest standing wooden building and the world's oldest wooden church remains. The original church was probably thatched, and without windows. The Normans built a chancel, although all that remains now are the footings and a pillar piscina. The present brick chancel was erected around 1500, and at the same time the handsome chancel arch inserted and roofs rebuilt and tiled. The date of the tower is uncertain, but it may have been added in the 17th century - one of the bells is dated 1618. The east wall of the chancel was rebuilt in the Victorian period and the roof and walls also repaired. An interesting piece of history is that some of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, after they were pardoned, were settled in Greensted on their return, and one of them, James Brine, was married here in 1839. The church The church now is about as picturesque as it is possible to get: the porch leads straight into the Saxon nave, passing a 12th century Crusader tomb just outside on your right. It is the UK's only log church. Inside, the nave is incredibly dark, despite the insertion of dormer windows. The nave still has its box pews. The chancel is somewhat brighter, and whitewashed. The church has some interesting fittings: the pulpit was donated in 1698 by Alexander Cleeve, and in the chancel are the Norman piscina and a memorial to Jone Wood, dated 1585. The eagle lectern is an impressive bit of Victoriana. Most of the glass is also Victorian, save a small but well preserved piece of 15th century glass in the quatrefoil window in the west wall. The rear of the church has all sorts of items for sale to help fundraising, from the usual postcards and guides to a wide selection of country jams and other sweet treats. Practicalities The directions given the the review by 'the xyone' are spot on - the walk should take 15-20 minutes from Chipping Ongar. If you drive there, there is parking for a dozen cars, including a space for disabled visitors, although the narrowness of the aisle in the church will probably make it difficult to use a wheelchair.

Known as the Log Church this is the oldest wooden church in Britain. Don't try and find it by it's…read morepostcode, get the Explorer 183 OS map, OS grid reference TL537030. The best way to get to it is drive to Chipping Ongar and park in Sainsbury's car park, parking is free on Sundays. Take the Essex Way from behind there, it's less than a mile walk. The church cute and little and nice to be in on a winters day, and for somewhere that was built in the mid 9th century is a marvelous bit of history. Now I'm not a big church fan but this place is lovely and I think you should put some money in the collection box. Either go back the way you came or continue on the Essex Way till just before Widow's Farm and make it a circular walk of 3-4 miles.

At the edge of the bustling town centre is a delightful (and substantial) mediaeval church, which…read moreis well worth a visit. St Margaret of Antioch was built as a chapel within Barking Abbey, and in 1300 it became the town's parish church. It sits east of the centre in a wide expanse of green - once the Abbey grounds, of which only the Curfew Tower remains. The church has been expanded over the years, so it now contains a happy mix of all periods from the 13th to the 16th centuries. Inside, the oldest part is the chancel and part of the nave, which date from c. 1215, although most of the fabric is 15th Century: the outer north aisle and chapel were added in the 16th Century using materials from the dissolved abbey. In 1772, the church was heavily remodelled under the direction of a local landowner, Bamber Gascoyne, who had much of the original fabric encased in decorative plasterwork. Of this, the lovely chancel ceiling remains, complementing the fine mediaeval roofs in the nave and north aisles. Traces of mediaeval painting remain in the chancel arch. However, the true joy of the church is its furnishings, testament to the wealth of Barking from the 17th Century onwards, when it was a sizeable fishing port. In the chancel, the memorial to Sir Charles Montagu (d. 1625) shows him in his tent on campaign, dozing while armed musketeers stand guard. Nearby is the fine engraved tombstone of Martinus, the first recorded Vicar of Barking, dating from 1315. Of special note is that to Captain John Bennett (d. 1715) and his mother and father, his figure surrounded by the fore and aft of a fully-rigged sailing ship, navigational instruments and globes. He also has a fine tomb in the churchyard in the same style. The nave has poppyhead pews incorporating 18th century woodwork, and the classical-style font (c.1635) is topped by a jolly cover, decorated by Jessie Jack, daughter of the Arts & Crafts craftsman George Jack. There is some good stained glass, and the Fisherman's Chapel includes statues of local notables associated with the parish, including Captain Cook (who married Elizabeth Batts here in 1762), the Quaker and prison reformer Elizabeth Fry, and St Ethelburga, the first Abbess of Barking. The church is the centre of a busy parish life, and includes an excellent tea room in the adjoining church centre, where I enjoyed a lovely lunch and a very friendly welcome.

St Martin's is a historic Norman church in the pretty little town of Chipping Ongar, and is…read moresituated just off the High Street. The church was built just after the Norman conquest, around 1080. The original nave and chancel still survive, and the flint walls incorporate reused Roman bricks and tiles - clearly visible from the outside. The church was extended in Victorian times, but still retains its 15th century steeple, complete with 17th century clock. Still, outside, on the north wall of the sanctuary is a small recess (now with a door), with a very small window on the inside. This was originally an anchorite cell - where a hermit could take part in the service without being seen or coming into contact with the parishioners. Inside, the atmosphere in the nave is dark, thanks to the low, heavy 14th century roof, and the prolific amount of Victorian stained glass. The porch, south aisle and nave arcade are also Victorian, and you have to look hard to find the mediaeval features: narrow, round-headed Norman windows in the north wall, above a stoup for Holy Water. The chancel arch was rebuilt around 1350, but some Norman windows also survive in the chancel, alongside 14th and 16th century insertions, and some of the 'scissor' roof beams are also thought to be Norman. The East window is a nice Decorated Gothic example from about 1300. The fittings include a 16th century pulpit, a 15th century font and, on the south wall of the chancel, a memorial to Sara Mitford (d. 1776) by the noted English sculptor Joseph Nollekens. Under the south side of the altar is another memorial, to Jane Pallavicini, cousin of Oliver Cromwell (whose father fought on the Royalist side). Finally, one of the Victorian windows depicts David Livingstone - who lived in Chipping Ongar in 1838-40 to undertake probationary year at the London Missionary Society school.

So, this is an Anglican Cathedral, which means that it isn't as decked out as much as the Catholic…read moreCathedrals are (though after the reformation they cleared out all of the art, and then put it back in around the 19th Century). It is quite a nice cathedral, but then I do like going into them, and exploring them. They certainly have a lot of charm, and I really do like the artwork.

Rochester is one of England's oldest and most charming cathedrals, but its modern tranquillity…read morebelies a turbulent past. It's an hour from London by train and makes for an easy half day visit. History The diocese of Rochester was founded in 604AD (the same year as London) by St Augustine of Canterbury, with St Justus as its first bishop: only Canterbury is older. The first cathedral, about which little is known, was built on land donated by the Saxon King, Ethelbert. After the Norman conquest, a Priory dedicated to St Andrew was built next to the cathedral, by the first Norman Bishop, Gundulf. Evidently an energetic man, as well as supervising the building of Rochester Castle and the original Tower of London, he also set about rebuilding the cathedral in 1083, and the new church was dedicated in 1130. Less than seven years later, however, a fire damaged the cathedral, and work began to rebuild it in the new Gothic style around 1180, although only the Quire was completed, in 1227. In the meantime, a Scottish baker living in the area, one William of Perth, was murdered nearby in 1201. He was buried in the cathedral and shortly afterwards, miracles were reported at his tomb. Thus Rochester became a great place of pilgrimage. This help fund further building: the transepts were built around 1240-60; in 1340, these were vaulted, the tower raised and a spire added; in 1440 a new clerestory was added to the nave and the west window replaced; and finally in 1490 a Perpendicular Lady Chapel added. The cathedral was fortunate in having a largely sympathetic restoration by George Gilbert Scott. As well as the fire, the cathedral endured being sacked by King John in 1215, and desecrated by Simon de Montfort's army in 1264 during the conflict with Henry III. The adjacent priory of St Andrew was dissolved in 1540 and the cathedral was again damaged in 1642 by Cromwell's troops during the English Civil War. The church The location, adjacent to the great Norman castle at Rochster, is one of England's most picturesque. Part of the curtain wall of the precinct survives, as well as three gatehouses, and some interesting but more limited remains from the priory. The cathedral is best entered from the west entrance: this way you can appreciate the 12th Century west front, with its elaborately decorated West Door, the only example of a high Romanesque front surviving in England. The great west window dates from 1440 and is in the Perpendicular Gothic style. This brings you into the Norman nave built by Gundulf, in many ways the highlight of the cathedral: its arcades and triforium are an excellent example of the early Norman Romanesque style, alive with dog-tooth and zig-zag decoration and chequerboard reliefs. The Lady Chapel on the south side is the 'newest' part of the cathedral, completed in Perpendicular gothic in 1492. The north transept and the enclosed Quire portrays the change to the Gothic style, and is a good example of the 'Early English period. Beyond, the Quire Transepts and the Sanctuary at the East End are more transitional in style, but with many of the features of Early English Gothic. The steps to the south of the Quire lead to the crypt below, one of the best preserved in England, with elements from both the original Norman crypt and later Early English work (1180-1260). On the north side of the Quire is a staircase with steps worn by pilgrims visiting William of Perth's tomb, now covered by wooden treads. Furnishings include memorials to various bishops, the best preserved being that of John de Sheppey, still with its mediaeval colouring; a memorial to Charles Dickens; and the wonderfully preserved Chapter doorway built by Bishop Hamo de Hythe in 1340; the oldest and best preserved mediaeval church pavement in the UK; the fine 14th Century Sedilia; and, in the Quire, the remains of the UK's oldest choir stalls, dating from 1227, surrounded by the intact (though heavily restored) decorative wall scheme from 1350. Outside, the former priory cloister to the south is now a peaceful garden and has some attractive Romanesque blind arcading. Practicalities The cathedral has a small shop at the west end, open Mon-Sat 10-16.30. Behind the East End are tea rooms open from Mon-Sat 8.30-16.30, serving breakfast, lunch and afternoon teas and light refreshments. Wheelchair access is via the North Transept door. There is a lift from the nave to the quire, and there is a disabled toilet in the tea rooms (not open Sundays). The crypt and part of the presbytery have no wheelchair access. There are ladies' and gents' toilets off the cloister garden. There are a limited number of disabled parking spaces by the North Transept, otherwise the nearest car parking is off the adjacent High Street. The railway station is a 10-15 minute walk.

Great church, fantastic worship, great pastor, great preaching I have been going to this church for…read morethe past 8 years and have never been disappointed. The building has been totally refurbished, it used to be a cinema. It is located in Woolwich, accross the road from the high street, and opposite Woolwich ferry.

Sadly not a family run business anymore. It got sold to Data Cars. You will notice the difference…read moreimmediately. You are offered a discount if you use the APP. You will be offered the facility to add your payment details online. But the drivers don't take credit card payments - because they don't get a tip. So you get messed around. You get confirmations then cancellations as they pass the booking around. No surprise there was no one to meet us when we got back from our holiday. I rang the driver, told him I was making my own arrangements, and took an Uber (there in 30 seconds). Suddenly they went into overdrive. I was texted to say the driver was in the terminal within seconds of putting the phone down (he wasnt) and then when I said I had taken an Uber - they took payment for a completed trip. Seems they had subcontracted the service. Even the staff at Blackheath Cars didnt know it happened. They also didnt think it possible they would take payment for a trip they did not complete (or start). 30 years of using Blackheath Cars without incident. They change hands and mess up both the trip to the airport and the one back. Avoid!

Brilliant cab service just next to the station. I use these guys when I'm shattered and can't be…read morebothered to wait for a train to Charlton. In fact, I think I once got off the train a stop early and paid for a cab to take me right to my door I was that tired. But that's another story. All of the drivers are nice. I feel safe. They play magic fm. They go the short route to my house, and they always charge the same. And it's cheap. Although i can't tell you how cheap is cheap unless you know the area - Blackheath village to my house Charlton is about 3 miles I reckon and it's £6 or so. I'm guessing at the three miles though. Still, great service. Well done them for being consistently good. As long as I've been living in the area (about four years now) I've never had bad service from these guys.

this is the most used taxi service in the thurrock area, it has wheelchair vehicles and a few…read moreminibuses and lots of cabs, they are a freindly bunch of people, a good customer service rating and good prices for fares.

Chelmsford has England's second-smallest cathedral, set in an attractive square tucked away from…read morethe bustle of the city centre. Originally the main town parish church, it was elevated to Cathedral status in 1914 when the diocese was created to cater for the burgeoning population of Essex and the east of London. The Cathedral is dedicated to St Mary, St Peter and St Cedd. History The church has been extensively restored and extended. A church was originally erected on the site around 1200, but the core of the present building derives mainly from a rebuilding in the early 15th century. This church comprised an aisled nave, a chancel with chapels, a west tower and a magnificent south porch. The spire was rebuilt in 1749. The nave collapsed in 1800 following excavation in the vaults, and was rebuilt by John Johnson. Frederic Chancellor restored the chancel and south chapel in 1862, and also added the current north transept and outer north aisle in 1873. The east window and chancel clerestory is the work of the famous church architect A W Blomfield, dating from 1877-8. After elevation to a Cathedral, two east bays were added to the chancel to create more space in 1926-8 to designs by A K Nicholson. The Church The exterior is a mix of rubble and flint with brick and stone dressings. The style is largely late Perpendicular Gothic: the best features are the tower and the especially fine 15th century south porch, with its beautiful patterned flush-work. The spacious interior largely reflects the various restorations, especially that of Johnson, whose fabulous Tudor Gothic nave ceiling was painted and gilded in 1961. The 3-bay chancel arcades and tower arch are original 15th century work; of particular interest are the two western bays of the north side of the chancel. Here, a pair of Gothic arches are set within a larger rounded arch, with pierced tracery in the spandrel - a truly dramatic piece of architecture. The cathedral has many interesting works of art from the 20th century, and good Victorian and 20th century glass by Clayton & Bell, and Nicholson. There are some outstanding memorials: the large, brightly coloured wall monument in the north aisle to Thomas (d. 1566) and Avice Mildmay (d. 1557) has a dramatic ogee head, with excellent Jacobean strapwork, and panels depicting the husband and wife with their large family in procession. Also in the Mildmay chapel, the Earl Fitzwalter (Benjamin Mildmay), (d.1756) is commemorated by a striking monument with a large urn, flanked by cherubs and a pediment supported by Corinthian columns of Siena marble, signed by James Lovell. The cathedral is open daily for services and visitors, and has a reputation for excellent music.