Our History

People have lived in Braughing since Iron Age times, around 5,000 years ago.  Before the Romans came it was an important town and capital of the local tribe, the Trinovantes, at a time when they were considered the most powerful tribe in the country.

The Romans built a town just outside Braughing, near the hamlet of Ford Bridge.  At it’s peak it covered 36 hectares.  It’s importance came from it’s position at the junction of Ermine Street, which ran from London to York, and Stane Street, which ran from Braughing to Colchester, largely along the route  now taken by the A120.

The earliest mention of the name Braughing is from Anglo-Saxon times, when it was known as ‘Breahinga’.  Braughing is mentioned in the Domesday Book as ‘Brachinges’.

St Mary’s  Church is a grade 1 listed building, dating back in parts to 1220. It is usually  open during the day and is well worth a visit.  The bells are rung every Sunday, and have been for 600 years.  The village has other listed buildings, many medieval.

Braughing had a railway station from 1863 to 1964.

Our Traditions

October 2^nd is celebrated every ear as Old Man’s Day, in memory of local man Matthew Wall.  On 2^nd October 1571 he was being carried to his funeral service along Fleece Lane when the coffin was dropped and he woke up.  He wasn’t dead, just in a coma.  He lived another 24 years, marrying and having a family.

He left money in his will for his escape to be remembered every year.  Fleece Lane is swept , then the funeral bell tolls out, and then a wedding peal is rung.

Matthew Wall’s grave is still visible in St Mary’s churchyard.

Braughing Sausages

Braughing’s best known export are the excellent sausages of the Braughing Sausage Company.  First made in 1954, they are still made to the same recipe, and in the same village butchers shop.