23) Alfies Restaurant . 18th Century
Originally cottages converted into Temperance Tearooms by the Wright family in 1896. It became Gentry's Restaurant 1916 - 1982, with a spell as a Sergeants Mess from 1939 - 1945.

24) Waterloo House 16th / 17th Century.
Was a furniture emporium up to Victorian times but much as now by 1900.

COLCHESTER ROAD
The Priory Wall, was extensively restored in 2004 - original 14th / 15th Century Scheduled Ancient Monument. Surrounds the monk's burial ground.

 25) Kings Arms.                                                     Hipped roof, 16th Century central block & 18th C rear wing. Originally the Mermaid Inn, it hosted hiring fairs in the rear meadow until 1872. S irons on wall from the earthquake of 1884. Known for challenge competitions i.e. 24 eggs were eaten in one sitting.

The Priory
Largest group of listed buildings on one site in Essex. One of the finest monastic ruins in Europe. The walls date to 15th Century, the gate on the west wall is the original entrance to the Priory and dates from the 12th Century. The blocked up gate of 1550 led to the Abbey Church - destroyed at the time of the Reformation. The Gatehouse, part 1200, flanking buildings 1450, central 1475. Constructed of dressed ashlar stone set with flint panels. Note the gargoyles to ward off evil spirits. To the left, low down, is the Beggars window. On either side of the gate arch are St Michael - he has two pairs of wings and bells on his tunic - and the dragon - the knot in his tail shows that he is defeated. The empty niches held statues of St Osyth and St Peter and St Paul, but they were destroyed by the Commonwealth mob from Colchester in 1640s. Inside the wrought iron gates, made by Percy Offord, the vaulted ceiling has bosses carved with the head of Osyth, St Sebastian, the White Hart and, pierced by arrows, St Edmund.
 

St Peter's and St Paul's, Parish Church.  Contains remnants of 12th Century building from shortly after the foundation of the Priory. Transepts erected in the 13th Century but major rebuilding in the 1530s was interrupted by the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The chancel and towers still interestingly lop-sided but the Nave has particularly beautiful Tudor brick arcades and hammer beam roof. Fine monuments to the Priory's secular owners of the 16th - 19th Centuries, and a unique sheepfold altar rail. Impressive stained glass windows including one depicting beheading of St Osyth. Once old cottages stood in what is now part of the Churchyard, built on the site of original market stalls. - demolished in 1890. Lych gate and north porch created in 1907. Churchyard closed in 1835 with its last burial in a re-opened grave 1903. The war memorial was erected in 1921 but now without its cross.

26) 16 Colchester Road
Now incorporates 'The Cage', the lock-up, last used in 1903. Census records show one young lady and two young men held there in 1851. Path between The Cage and the Pub was known as the Coffin Path as after 1855 burials had to be taken from the Church to the new Cemetery in Clay Lane.

27) The Forge
Next to No.16 was Hamby's Forge, Blacksmith of the Kings Arms. Note the low roof to accommodate the central forge chimney.

28) Binders 1540 - 16th Century
The Falcon Inn from 1803 - 1891, has an outside bread oven and a ring to tether bulls or bears in the yard for baiting. Has two sets of winding stairs and original body hatch for lowering bodies.

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