Though only 18 miles from London, the large parish of South Weald even today retains a strongly rural character.

Yet another hamlet, straddling the main road in the highest part of the parish, developed into the busy urban centre of Brentwood.

But in the period of recorded history the main road from London to Harwich was the basis of Brentwood Development and certainly brought the whole parish in the picture of national events.

The village of South Weald itself can compare with the most famed of Essex parishes, for it has distinct houses and a natural beauty of curve and gradient.

On the curve opposite the church and down Vicarage Lane there is a variety of architecture from the sixteenth century Wealdcote to the graceful Regency buildings of the Post office and its neighbour.