It is located a little over one mile north of the town of Harlow in the neighbouring county of Essex.

[1] The name derives from Gedel or Gydel, an Old English personal name, and tun, meaning farm or settlement.

[3] The Parish Church of St Mary dates from the 13th century, and is Grade I listed.

[5] Gilston Park is a 19th century country house, which is Grade II* listed.

[6] It was later home to the Salvin Bowlby family, who founded the Gilston and Eastwick Working Men's Club, now the village hall, in 1908.