One of the earliest Renaissance houses in England - which was once used as a prisoner of war camp during the Second World War - is only a 30-minute drive from Romford.
Hill Hall is nestled in the village of Theydon Mount in the district of Epping and was originally built on the site of an earlier hunting lodge.
The Elizabethan manor house with Renaissance influence that can still be seen today replaced the 12th century building that stood before it.
The building was acquired by diplomat Sir Thomas Smith in 1556 where he continued to make changes throughout his lifetime.
English Heritage says the house's "multi-columned exterior imitates European mansions he’d admired on his travels".
An example of this came in 1568-69 when Smith returned from a trip to France and rebuilt the north and west ranges of the building "more strongly and splendidly" in a style influenced by what he had seen overseas.
Hill Hall is partly managed today by English Heritage but is privately owned and divided into houses and apartments.
Great British Life notes that the building's "giant columns that decorate the front of the house rising to two stories" and the "impressive friezes (the decorations on the masonry)" are both of "particular architectural note".
It adds: "There are also some remarkable murals inside the house that have stood the test of time.
"These date back to the 16th century and feature mythical and biblical figures.
"These are all the more precious as they withstood a harsh fire at Hill Hall that rampaged through the building in 1969."
Hill Hall became a prisoner of war camp during the Second World War and was also used to house pregnant evacuees from the East End of London, according to Great British Life.
In 1998 it became part of the Heritage Trust and is Grade I listed.
"Like many old buildings, Hill Hall is not without its own rumours of ghosts," says Great British Life.
It is said that army personnel were sometimes spooked and refused to sleep in a particular bedroom located off the Great Hall.
It is also believed that a duel took place in the building in the Georgian era, leaving no survivors after a young lady of the house fell in love with a man who her seven brothers disapproved of.
Legend tells that the girl proceeded to take her own life in despair.
Some have even reported seeing a black dog roaming the grounds at night.
Part of the house can be visited today and tours can be arranged via English Heritage.
According to Great British Life, subject to availability, it is possible to view what art historian Edward Croft-Murray of the British Museum described as "the most important survival of Elizabethan decorative figure painting in England".
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