Ongar is a civil parish in Essex, and was once a very popular market town in the medieval era. If you’d like to relive parts of Ongar’s history and find yourself fascinated by local stories, you should pay a visit to Ongar Castle’s remains, a Norman Castle that was built in 1086. Actually, much of Ongar showcases Norman architecture and skill. The town is formally known as Chipping Ongar, and is brilliantly located in Essex’s Epping Forest – making it easy to commute into London, but with plenty of laid-back, countryside charm. You’ll find everything you could possibly need in Ongar, from historical sites, independent shops and plenty of pubs. Epping Ongar Railway is one of the main attractions in Ongar, and operates steam and diesel hauled trains.