[2] The former village, by the church and Green Dragon pub, lies along the original Roman road (now the A1023) which linked London and Colchester.

Nathaniel Ward, a Puritan clergyman and author, was made minister of the Shenfield church in 1648 and held that office until his death in 1652.

The village stands near the Eastern Counties railway, 1 mile NE of Brentwood; and dates from at least the time of Edward the Confessor.

The town is host to the Shenfield Cricket Club, founded in 1921[9] and situated on the Courage Playing Fields.

The club's badge is a cockerel, which echoes both the trade mark of the Courage brand and the weathervane on St Mary's church.

Shenfield railway station is situated on the following lines:[10][11] Currently, fast train services reach Liverpool Street in 20 to 25 minutes.

[13] Brentwood Community Hospital serves both Shenfield and the wider borough, and is on Crescent Drive.

A new primary school, day nursery, and care home is planned, and there are hopes that retail and a health centre will also be provided.

75 homes are also earmarked for land at the end of Bishop Walk, just off Priests Lane, not far from the town of Brentwood itself.