Anglo-Saxon in origin and originally known as "Wareleia", the name changed to "Warley Magna" and was mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086, when there was a population of 38.

It covered an area of some three miles wide and seven miles long, which now includes Warley, Little Warley and Great Warley, as well as the old manor house, Warley Franks,

At that time the Manor of Warley and the village were owned by the Abbess of Barking. The original village was centred around Warley Franks but gradually moved to higher ground and was established where it is today with the village green as its centre. Parish records date from 1538.

Great Warley village now covers a smaller area and has a population of around 380 people. It is the third highest point in Essex at 368 feet above sea level. There are miles of public footpaths and bridleways through some of the prettiest scenery in S.W. Essex, with views of London and Kent.

31 Listed Buildings are to be found in and around the village.

The house "Wallets" was built in the 15^th century and is said to have acquired its name from the wealthy pilgrims journeying south to Canterbury and leaving their monies at Wallets for safe keeping before crossing the flat plain and marshes of the Thames, where bandits lurked.

"Warley Place" built in the early 18^th century was the home of the famous horticulturist and writer Miss Ellen Willmot. Her gardens were famous. She died in 1934 and the house was demolished in 1939. The gardens are now a designated conservation area and are leased from the present owner by the Essex Wildlife Trust.

"Goldings", the house now known as The New World Hotel, was bought by Evelyn Heseltine in 1876, and was the beginning of the development of a large manorial estate, somewhat feudal in concept.

"The Forge" was built in the 1880 to serve the needs of the local farmers and the farrier can still be seen shoeing horses.

What is now 1, Great Warley Street was once the dairy and laundry.

Great Warley is traditionally a farming area and is a thriving rural community as well as being a business centre. It has an active Conservation society which has done much to preserve and safeguard the rural district and village character.