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There has been a settlement in the vicinity since pre-historic times with beautifully polished stone axe heads and flint arrows being found in fields surrounding Coggeshall. Evidence of bronze workings and some remnants of bronze tools have also been discovered. The site of a Roman encampment and habitation was discovered in the 1800s, not surprising as Coggeshall lies on Stane Street, the Roman road between Colchester and St Albans. There is mention of the village in the Domesday Book and it appears that it was a Christian community as a priest is listed. The foundation of a large Cistercian abbey by Matilda, queen to King Stephen, began in 1140 and over the centuries until its Dissolution in 1538, the prosperity of the abbey grew.  The monks were, among other things, sheep farmers and this promoted the wool and cloth trade. From the 15^th to the mid-18^th century Coggeshall's prosperity was based on this. During this time the village rose to prominence and was said to be one of the most industrialised places in Essex and famed on the Continent for a type of cloth called Coggeshall Whites, easily recognizable as a 'Coggeshall Job' among the wool merchants of Europe. This prosperity has left a rich legacy of timber-framed houses and Coggeshall has over 250 "listed" buildings and much of the centre of the village is designated as a conservation area.

Probably the finest bequest from the wool years is the large 15^th century cathedral-style church of St. Peter-ad-Vincula (St Peter in Chains) built with wool merchant's money, most notably the Paycocke family whose own fine 16^th Century house is a prominent landmark in the village. Following the demise of the wool trade the first half of the 19^th century was given over to the manufacture of silk and the production of the famous Coggeshall tambour lace, and during this period well over half the population was engaged in these flourishing cottage industries. The soil in this part of Essex is well suited to seed growing and there was a thriving seed production industry for well over two centuries.

There has been a brick bridge spanning the River Blackwater sine the time of the Cistercian monks at Coggeshall Abbey and the present bridge still contains some of the original 12^th century bricks in the piers on the south side. It has, of course, undergone many alterations - one major one occurred in 1912 when the railings were removed (very useful for dating old pictures of the bridge!) In 1930 it was widened to the size it is today.

About a mile outside of Coggeshall is Marks Hall Gardens and Arboretum which was the home for more than 300 years to the Honywood family who were responsible for the planting of the famous Honywood oaks, one of which still remains today. Mary Honywood is commemorated in the church in Coggeshall as having no less than 365 descendants at the time of her death! The remains of the abbey, the still intact abbey gatehouse chapel and the large 12^th century Grange barn all add to the charm of the place and there is much to see on a visit to this historic village. Many of these sites can be enjoyed by taking a stroll around Coggeshall and a leaflet giving a guide to what to see can be obtained at the Parish Office or the museum on Sundays. To see historic pictures of Coggeshall  take the Guided walk. To celebrate the new millennium, a village sign was erected on Church Green opposite the parish church and pictures of the unveiling can be seen by following this link. The Museum shows fascinating local history and features an exhibition showing a miscellany of Coggeshall past including a working wool loom.