The town of Thaxted grew around a Saxon settlement along the old Roman road and boasts a magnificent 14th century church, a half-timbered Guildhall and a restored windmill.

Building work on the Church of St John the Baptist began in 1340 and it took 170 years to complete. Work on the Guildhall commenced in 1390 and was completed by the turn of the century.

The windmill, which was built in 1804 by John Webb, a local farmer, was in use of 100 years and now houses a small museum.

Thaxted is famous not least of all for its Morris Ring and hosts a Morris weekend each year. This takes place the first weekend after the Spring Bank Holiday when hundreds of dancers meet to entertain the town and surrounding villages.

The annual Thaxted Music Festival takes place in June/July and is held in the spectacular setting of the Church.

Please visit www.thaxted.co.uk for an up-to-date timetable of events and links to various organisations within Thaxted.

No matter what time of year you decide to visit Thaxted - you can be sure of a warm welcome.

Within a short drive you have Linton Zoo, Mole Hall Wildlife Park, The House on the Hill Toy Museum, Mountfitchet Castle & Norman Village of 1066, Audley End House and Gardens. Further afield you have the University town of Cambridge with punting on the River Cam, excellent restaurants, pubs, shopping and the Corn Exchange Theatre. Braintree with its designer shopping village, Colchester, Britain's oldest recorded town and zoo, Southend-on-Sea for the longest pleasure pier in the world, fish and chips and slot machines. The list goes on.

For golfers there are three clubs nearby -Bishop's Stortford, Elsenham and Saffron Walden.

There are regular buses throughout the day to take you to Stansted Airport where you can take the Stansted Express or catch a coach to practically anywhere in the country. There is also a bus service to Saffron Walden, Dunmow and Bishop's Stortford - where you can also connect to other services.

A visit to the local Butcher is a must - home to the famous Thaxted sausage. Most items you will need during your stay are available in the well-stocked shops in the town.