Layer Breton Heath is originally shown on the 1777 Chapman & Andre Historic Map, located to the south of, and adjoining Birch Green (MCC9111). The heath is roughly triangluar in shape, extending southwards along Layer Breton Hill, with an area of c.16ha. The map shows four or five groups of buildings on the edge of the heath. Two of these seem to be the Grade II listed C16 Stamp and Crows Farmhouse (LB Number: 1223801), enclosed within a moated enclosure (MCC7312), and the Grade II listed C16/C17 house Saberosa (LB Number: 1267128).<1>

Layer Breton Heath is then shown on the County Series at 1:2500 Scale Epoch 1 Historic Map (1874-1887). The thin linear section that extended southwards on the Chapman and Andre Map have been removed built over. An ever greater number of buildings have been built around the edge of the heath, many of which are listed. These buildings are as follows; the Grade II listed early C19 house The Manse (LB Number: 1223755), the Grade II listed early C19 Heath House (LB Number: 1267125), the Grade II listed C17 Hare and Hounds Public House (LB Number: 1223757), which is close to the junction with Birch Green, the Grade II listed C15/C16 house Bushes (LB Number: 1267127), the Grade II listed C18 Bushes Cottage (LB Number: 1223760), the Grade II listed early C19 Manor House (LB Number: 1267115) and the Grade II listed early C19 Manor Cottage (LB Number: 1223763).

There are two small burial grounds marked on Epoch 1, along the northern side of the heath, at least one or both associated with an Independent Chapel. There is also a Friends Meeting House froting the heath on Layer Breton Hill, with a small burial ground to the east.

The modern heath is a similar shape and size to the Epoch 1 map, with an increased number of houses built around its edge.