A Brief History of High Ongar.
In medieval times High Ongar and the surrounding areas were probably no more than tiny settlements along a series of historic footpaths and bye ways linking Epping with Harwich, now called the Essex Way, and Epping with Bradwell-on-Sea, the St Peters Way. Testament to this era are the Grade 1 listed churches of St Mary the Virgin, in High Ongar, and All Saints, in Norton Mandeville, which both date from the 12th century. Throughout the area there are numerous old footpaths and bridleways, which are used by residents as well as by ramblers as they walk through the scenic beauty of the rural landscape.The parish of High Ongar really came into being in the late 1680's when the settlements grew. From that time, the main listed buildings of note are Post Office Cottages, the Village School, The Foresters Arms public house, the recently renovated Red Lion restaurant, and the timber framed Sanuk restaurant and Blacksmiths Cottages. In King Street, leading to Paslow Common, there are several buildings and cottages which also date from the 17th and 18th century.
South of the parish down Mill Lane, towards Hallsford Bridge, there used to be a wood yard, a mill and brickworks. These have all gone, but the old brickwork site has been extensively renovated and will soon re-emerge as a country park.
For several centuries, farming and other associated agricultural enterprises have been the main industry within the parish and they continue to flourish today.