Hill Hall and Copt Hall

Hill Hall, between Epping and Ongar, is one of the least known yet most interesting places in the county. Its splendid park and high situation provide magnificent views, and its fine approach through an avenue of elms adds extremely to its charm. For over three hundred
years it has been the seat of the Smyth or Smijth family.

The house was built about 1548 in the then prevailing Renaissance fashion by Sir Thomas Smyth, who is said to have derived the design, during his travels in Italy, from John of Padua, a famous architect About 1713 Hill Hall, like so many old Tudor houses in Essex, underwent severe treatment in order that it might more closely resemble the prevailing fashion of classical architecture.

Many features of the old house were preserved; a grand entrance hall fifty-six feet by twenty feet is a later feature. Sir Thomas Smyth must be sought for among the Essex Worthies, for he is one of our shining lights. Some Holbein portraits of his time are still among the treasures of the house.

Contemporary with the modern portion of Hill Hall a number of houses may be named.

Copt, or Copped, Hall, Epping, overlooking the famous Forest, was originally built soon after 1564 by Sir Thomas Heneage, and was said at that time to be the “noblest house in Essex." It had a fine chapel and a gallery fifty-six yards long, which was blown down in a hurricane in November, 1639. It was built by John Conyers, whose family held it for more than a hundred years ; it is now the property of E. J. Wythes, Esq., a former High Sheriff of the county.