Exploring Paycocke's history

Paycocke's in summer 2012 © Suzanne Rose

Paycocke's in summer 2012

Paycocke’s has an intriguing history spanning 500 years.

Constructed in 1509, the same year Henry VIII acceded to the throne, it has since witnessed a religious reformation and survived a civil war.

Paycocke's has been connected to many people including a cloth merchant, a famous composer and an MP.

Beam by beam

Markings enabled builders to remember what goes where © Suzanne Rose

Markings enabled builders to remember what goes where

Learn more about the building's history, including what came before, how it was constructed and why pilgrims have flocked to see this special house throughout the centuries.

Did Tudor labourers dare to dream that their handiwork would survive for 500 years?

Even after all this, it still has the wow factor.

The Paycockes puzzle

The water at the bottom of the garden, remnants of something larger? © Suzanne Rose


Paycocke’s has undergone many changes, new additions and removals throughout the years to reflect shifting trends and the needs of its owners. But what we're left with is even more intriguing as a result.

The trapdoors that don’t lead anywhere, floorboards that have been covered over and bumps in our lawn all add to the character.

Fame and fortune in Coggeshall

The Paycockes

The Paycocke family were well-respected members of the local community.

Read about their family origins, map where they lived, and get a sense of how they spent their days.

The Buxtons

In the late 16th century, ownership of Paycocke's house passed out of the Paycocke family and into the Buxton family.

Find out where this family came from and what kind of people they were.

One house becomes three

As Coggeshall‘s industry declined, the people became poorer and the house suffered. It was then the house was converted into three small cottages.

Locals fought to save Paycocke’s and Pudney returned life to the place.

The restoration: a 20-year project

Realise the scale and perseverance in restoring Paycocke’s, a project that took 20 years to complete. Follow Noel Buxton and his guests as they uncover what had been hidden for hundreds of years.

Noel Buxton: Did you know...

  • Noel Buxton was responsible for the restoration of Paycocke’s
  • Isaac Buxton, born 1672, was his x5 great grandfather
  • His full name was Noel Edward Noel-Buxton
  • He was born 9 January 1869, one of ten children
  • His mother, Lady Victoria Noel, was a god-daughter of Queen Victoria
  • The family lived at Warlies, Waltham Abbey
  • He was related to Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, abolitionist
  • Noel was descended from Elizabeth Fry, prison reformer

Paycocke's in the past...