Hylands Park - A Brief History
M.W.Hanson
It is certain that at least some of the Hylands Park we see today formed part of, and was within the
legal boundary of, the ancient Royal Forest of Writtle.
A perambulation of Writtle Forest made on the 6 - 8th November 1358, copied into the 1566 survey
of the Petre estates (ERO: D/DPM1325) and translated by Oliver Rackham , reads (in part):
"and thus thence going by the said way up to a certain Cross called Widforde
Crosse,
which Cross stands at the end of a certain lane which leads to the Toft
formerly of Henry Genett.
and thus thence by a certain ditch called Holeweldiche up to the land lately of
Walter de Brays and now belonging to the Manor of Widford;
and thus by a certain descent to the bridge called Widforde Bridge,
and from that bridge by the same water up to the place where a water-Mill
called Widforde Mell lately was sited;
and from the place of that Mill by a certain Hedge called la Ley up to a certain
Field called Widforde ffrith which divides the townships of Writtell and
Widfordc,
and thus thence to the Corner of the said Field versus le east,
and from that place up to the messuage formerly Ralph Wolsse's, and now-
belonging to the heirs of John de Widfordc. standing on the King's way
winch leads from Chelmisforde towards London,
and thus always by that King's way to the land lately John Locksmythe 's ...
[next day] Beginning at the land of John Locksmyth next Shyngledecrouche in
Widforde.
going straight up to the Messuage lately William de Wellys's and now William
De Gibbc's,
and from that messuage by a certain lane to the house lately William
Roughey's and now John Hasell's.
and from that messuage by a certain hedge which divides the townships of
Writtell and Sowthwoodde."
The Widford Bridge mentioned is (presumably) one sited where the current bridge stands, where
the old Roman road (London Road) crosses the Wid. It also mentions South Wood, confirming the
wood is a true ancient woodland, probably well over 650 years old.
The land upon which Hylands has developed is mentioned as belonging to one Thomas Hawkins in
a will dated 1500. One part was called Highlands Field and with other property - including a house
called Hooks - was left to the church; the entire income from the bequest was to be used by the
vicar of Writtle. Ironically, the site and remains of Hooks still survive within the current boundary
of Hylands. Hylands House itself was built around 1728 - 30 by wealthy lawyer Sir John Comyns,
later Chief Baron of the Exchequer. A small park was created around the 1730 house, covering
about 100 acres, including pasture, coppiced woodland and standard trees. A formal geometric
garden was laid-out to the cast of the house and a pleasure garden created north of the house. The
Chapman and Andre map of 1777 clearly shows a small, but established, wood-pasture park
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Essex Parks: Section 2 - Hylands Park