# High Laver

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Village in Essex, England

Human settlement in England

High Laver All Saints' Church, High Laver High Laver Location within Essex Population 259 (Parish, 2021)[1] OS grid reference TL526087 Civil parish High Laver District Epping Forest Shire county Essex Region East Country England Sovereign state United Kingdom Post town ONGAR Postcode district CM5 Dialling code 01277 Police Essex Fire Essex Ambulance East of England List of places UK England Essex 51°45′22″N 0°12′43″E / 51.756°N 0.212°E / 51.756; 0.212

**High Laver** ([/ˈleɪvər/](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/English) [*LAY-vər*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Pronunciation_respelling_key)[2]) is a village and [civil parish](/source/Civil_parish) in the [Epping Forest](/source/Epping_Forest_(district)) district of the county of [Essex](/source/Essex), England. The parish is noted for its association with the philosopher [John Locke](/source/John_Locke). At the [2021 census](/source/2021%E2%80%932022_United_Kingdom_censuses) the parish had a population of 259.

## History

High Laver is historically a rural agricultural parish, predominantly arable. In 1086 there were 1428 acres of arable land, woodland for 200 pigs and 37½ acres of meadow. The 1881 census data collected indicates that the majority of the male population were employed in agriculture.[3][4]

High Laver school was founded 1866 with accommodation for 75 children. At one point the school breached its capacity with a total of 132 pupils attending. Pupils of High Laver today typically attend Magdalen Laver school, west from High Laver.[5] The manor of Otes may originally have been part of [Little Laver](/source/Little_Laver). It was purchased around 1614 by William Masham, and passed to his son [Sir William Masham, 1st Baronet](/source/Sir_William_Masham%2C_1st_Baronet). When [John Locke](/source/John_Locke), British philosopher, died in 1704, he was buried at High Laver, where he had lived at Otes as a paying guest in the household of [Sir Francis Masham, 3rd Baronet](/source/Sir_Francis_Masham%2C_3rd_Baronet) since 1691.[6] The wife of Sir Francis was the philosopher and theologian [Damaris Cudworth Masham](/source/Damaris_Cudworth_Masham).

In 1887 John Bartholomew, in the *Gazetteer of the British Isles*, wrote: "Laver, High, par., Essex, in NW. of co., 4 m. NW. of Ongar, 1891 ac., pop. 477; the churchyard contains the grave of John Locke (1632–1704), the philosopher".[7]

## Geography

High Laver village is situated 4 miles (6.4 km) east of [Harlow](/source/Harlow) and 1.4 miles (2.2 km) north-west of [Moreton](/source/Moreton%2C_Essex).[8] The land is nearly 300 ft. (90 m.) above sea-level in the south-west, about 250 ft. (75 m.) in the north and 230 ft. (70 m.) in the east.[9]

## Demography

"In 1801 the population was 346. By 1851 it had grown to 534. It was a little below this level until the last decade of the century when there was a sharp decline to 386. In the first half of the 20th century it rose gradually to 463 in 1951"[10] According to 2011 census data High Laver had a population of 493 persons across 200 households.[11] Within High Laver 260 persons out of the 493 who participated in the 2011 census aged 16 to 74 are in employment.[12] The 1881 census data indicates that the majority of the Male population of High Laver were employed in agriculture, this is typical of Parishes at this time due to the surrounding countryside being ideal for farming. 2011 census data indicate that 260 16- to 74-year-olds are in employment out of the total population of 493.[13] The demographics in High Laver are fairly uneven according to the 2011 census data; the data indicates that the largest demographic are the 45 to 59's.[14]

## Landmarks

Chest tomb of [John Locke](/source/John_Locke)

All Saints' Church consists of a nave, [chancel](/source/Chancel), west tower, south porch, and north vestry.[16] The church was constructed from flint and rubble during the late 12th century; there also remains evidence that some Roman bricks and tiles were used as they are visible among the chancel walls, and also the north wall of the nave.[17] Over the years there has been refurbishment and maintenance on the church. In the 15th or 16th century the roofs of the chancel and nave, which are ceiled in except for the plates and tie-beams, were renewed.[18] Within the tower there is a font with an octagonal bowl which dates from the 14th century.[19]

Outside the south wall of the nave is the brick altar tomb of the philosopher [John Locke](/source/John_Locke) (1632–1704). A mural tablet, originally above the tomb, was moved inside the church for preservation in 1932.[20] The grave of [Abigail Masham, Baroness Masham](/source/Abigail_Masham%2C_Baroness_Masham), a [favourite](/source/Favourite) of [Queen Anne](/source/Anne%2C_Queen_of_Great_Britain) and a cousin of [Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough](/source/Sarah_Churchill%2C_Duchess_of_Marlborough), is also found in the churchyard. The complex relationship between these three women is dramatised in the film *[The Favourite](/source/The_Favourite_(2018_film))*.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## Notable people

- [Samuel Masham, 1st Baron Masham](/source/Samuel_Masham%2C_1st_Baron_Masham) (1678/79 – 1758), British [courtier](/source/Courtier), lived at Oates Manor in High Laver

- [Damaris Cudworth Masham](/source/Damaris_Cudworth_Masham) (1659–1708), English writer, philosopher, theologian, wife of Francis Masham, 3rd Baronet

- [John Locke](/source/John_Locke) FRS (1632–1704), English philosopher and physician, lived with the Masham family at Oates Manor

- [Thomas Standfield](/source/Thomas_Standfield) (1789–1864), one of the [Tolpuddle Martyrs](/source/Tolpuddle_Martyrs), lived with his family at Fenners Farm, Tilegate Green from 1838 to 1846[21]

## Transport

The main road from Ongar to Harlow which is a key transport route enters the parish at High Laver Bridge.[22] High Laver lies near junction seven of the [M11 motorway](/source/M11_motorway).[23] There are three bus services that run through the parish, four days a week.[24] The nearest railway station is Harlow Town.[25] Epping Underground station is equidistant.

## Gallery

		- John Locke's tomb

		- Fingerpost in High Laver parish

		- 19th-century Ordnance Survey Map of High Laver

		- Faggotters Farm, High Laver

		- Faggoters Lane sign, High Laver

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2021census_1-0)** ["2021 Census Parish Profiles"](https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/sources/census_2021_pp). *NOMIS*. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 31 March 2025. (To get individual parish data, use the query function on table PP002.)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Fine & Country Mid Essex (27 February 2022). ["High Laver House | Fine & Country Mid Essex"](https://web.archive.org/web/20230701125628/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpSS4ERpnV4&t=29s). *YouTube*. Archived from the original on 1 July 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_bot:_original_URL_status_unknown))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["HIGH LAVER"](http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/essex/vol4/pp87-88#fnn36). *British History Online*. Victoria County History. Retrieved 21 March 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["History of the agriculture of High Laver"](http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/essex/vol4/pp87-88). *British History Online*. Retrieved 24 April 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Information on the School that was in High Laver"](http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/essex/vol4/pp96-97). *British History Online*. Retrieved 24 April 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["High Laver: Manors"](https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/essex/vol4/pp88-93). *A History of the County of Surrey*. [Victoria County History](/source/Victoria_County_History). pp. 88–93.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Bartholomew, John (1887). [*Gazetteer of the British Isles*](http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/descriptions/2008380). High Laver: Bartholomew. Retrieved 27 January 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Reference_of_the_introduction_to_high_laver_description_of_the_location_of_High_Laver_within_essex_8-0)** ["An introduction to High Laver"](http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/essex/vol4/pp87-88). *British History Online*. Retrieved 22 April 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["High Laver"](http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/essex/vol4/pp87-88#fnn36). *British History Online*. Victoria County History. Retrieved 21 March 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Information on population change in High Laver"](http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/essex/vol4/pp87-88#fnn4). *British History Online*. Retrieved 26 April 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Neighbourhood Statistics"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150402112118/http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=11124562&c=high+laver&d=16&e=62&g=6424941&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1427209429190&enc=1). *Office for National Statistics*. Archived from [the original](http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=11124562&c=high+laver&d=16&e=62&g=6424941&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1427209429190&enc=1) on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 24 March 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Neighbourhood Statistics, Amount of employed persons in High Laver according to 2011 census data"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150402092631/http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=11124562&c=high+laver&d=16&e=62&g=6424941&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1427209429190&enc=1&dsFamilyId=2541). *Office for National Statistics*. Archived from [the original](http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=11124562&c=high+laver&d=16&e=62&g=6424941&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1427209429190&enc=1&dsFamilyId=2541) on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 24 March 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Neighbourhood Statistics: Information from the 2011 census data"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160303184343/https://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=11124562&c=high+laver&d=16&e=61&g=6424941&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1429733057329&enc=1&dsFamilyId=2578). *Office for National Statistics*. Archived from [the original](https://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=11124562&c=high+laver&d=16&e=61&g=6424941&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1429733057329&enc=1&dsFamilyId=2578) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 22 April 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["The Demographics of High Laver from 2011 Census data"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160303201700/https://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=11124562&c=High+laver&d=16&e=62&g=6424941&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1429722269563&enc=1&dsFamilyId=2474). *Office for National Statistics*. Archived from [the original](https://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=11124562&c=High+laver&d=16&e=62&g=6424941&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1429722269563&enc=1&dsFamilyId=2474) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 22 April 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Occupation data classified into the 23 1881 'orders', plus SeA vision of Britain through Time"](http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/census/table_page.jsp?tab_id=EW1881AGE_M10&u_id=10242666&show=DB). *A vision of Britain*. Vision of Britain. Retrieved 25 March 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Information on All saints church"](http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/essex/vol4/pp93-95). *British History Online*. Retrieved 26 April 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["High Laver All Saints Church, a history of the Church"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150402154019/http://thelaversandmatchingchurches.org.uk/highlaver.php). *The united benefits of the Lavers and Matching*. Archived from [the original](http://thelaversandmatchingchurches.org.uk/highlaver.php) on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 29 March 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Details into the roof refurbishment work"](http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/essex/vol4/pp93-95). *British History Online*. Retrieved 26 April 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["The Font in High Laver All Saints Church"](http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/essex/vol4/pp93-95). *British History Online*. Retrieved 26 April 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["Information on John Locke Tomb"](http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/essex/vol4/pp93-95). *British History Online*. Retrieved 26 April 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["The History of the Tolpuddle Martyrs"](https://www.nasuwt.org.uk/static/uploaded/5aca14ad-564c-4af8-b248a016e0f4e553.pdf) (PDF). *National Teachers Union*. NASWUT. Retrieved 9 January 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["High Laver"](http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/essex/vol4/pp87-88). *British-History*. Retrieved 14 February 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["Junction seven of the M11 distance from High Lave"](https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/High+Laver,+Essex,+UK/M11,+United+Kingdom/@51.7414963,0.1514006,15z/data=!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x47d897501665443f:0xc889c2881bd5437c!2m2!1d0.21073!2d51.75654!1m5!1m1!1s0x47d88437a2c5941f:0x346bce9569e7a328!2m2!1d0.1404024!2d51.7465852). *Google Maps*. Retrieved 24 April 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["Bus timetables and routes for High Laver"](http://www.carlberry.co.uk/rfnlistr.asp?L1=HIG0880&op=D). *Travel Search*. Retrieved 24 April 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** ["The nearest railway station to High Laver is Harlow Town"](https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Harlow+Town+Railway+Station,+Burnt+Mill,+Harlow,+Essex+CM20+2JD,+United+Kingdom/M11,+United+Kingdom/@51.8325177,0.0142713,11z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x47d89bf62b69ad67:0xadc846b1756892d6!2m2!1d0.095272!2d51.78117!1m5!1m1!1s0x47d88437a2c5941f:0x346bce9569e7a328!2m2!1d0.2189473!2d51.9175987). *Google Maps*. Retrieved 24 April 2015.

## External links

Media related to [High Laver](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:High_Laver) at Wikimedia Commons

[Portals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contents/Portals):
- [England](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:England)
- [United Kingdom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:United_Kingdom)

v t e Ceremonial county of Essex Unitary authorities Southend-on-Sea Thurrock Boroughs or districts Basildon Braintree Brentwood Castle Point Chelmsford Colchester Epping Forest Harlow Maldon Rochford Tendring Uttlesford Major settlements (cities in italics) Aveley Basildon Billericay Braintree Brentwood Brightlingsea Buckhurst Hill Burnham-on-Crouch Canvey Island Chadwell St Mary Chelmsford Chigwell Chipping Ongar Clacton-on-Sea Coggeshall Colchester Corringham Dovercourt Epping Frinton-on-Sea Grays Great Dunmow Hadleigh Halstead Harlow Harwich Hockley Leigh-on-Sea Loughton Maldon Manningtree Pitsea Purfleet Rayleigh Rochford Saffron Walden Shoeburyness South Benfleet South Ockendon Southend-on-Sea South Woodham Ferrers Stanford-le-Hope Stansted Mountfitchet Thaxted Thundersley Tilbury Tiptree Waltham Abbey Walton-on-the-Naze West Mersea West Thurrock Wickford Witham Wivenhoe See also: List of civil parishes in Essex Rivers Blackwater Brain Cam Can Chelmer Ching Cobbins Brook Colne Crouch River Lea River Lee Flood Relief Channel Mardyke Pincey Brook Prittle Brook Roach Roding Roman Stort Stour Stour Brook Ter Category

v t e Epping Forest District Parishes Abbess, Beauchamp and Berners Roding Bobbingworth Buckhurst Hill Chigwell Epping Epping Upland Fyfield High Laver and Little Laver High Ongar Lambourne Loughton Magdalen Laver Matching Moreton Nazeing North Weald Bassett Ongar Roydon Sheering Stanford Rivers Stapleford Abbotts Stapleford Tawney Theydon Bois Theydon Garnon Theydon Mount Waltham Abbey Willingale Other notable settlements Abridge Chipping Ongar Clatterford End Colliers Hatch Epping Green Fiddlers Hamlet Foster Street Greensted Hastingwood Housham Tye Lower Sheering Marden Ash Matching Green Matching Tye Newman's End Shelley Tawney Common Threshers Bush Thornwood Toot Hill Attractions Epping Forest (woodland) Epping Ongar Railway Greensted Church North Weald Airfield Constituencies Epping Forest Brentwood and Ongar

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