Great Chesterford
The quaint charms of an English village.Here's my rave (and info) on Great Chesterford in Essex. Well for starters you actually get to see blue sky, a huge change from London, this has a knock-on effect that the sunlight seems stronger, and makes you feel better because of it. There are two pubs and one general store/post office, two doctors and a primary school, not much else in the way of facilities, but Saffron Walden isn't far away, and that has just about everything one could need. You also get to see actual wildlife - spotted so far are some rabbits and a squirrel, plus loads on non-pigeon birds! Sure it this isn't very exciting say compared to the Amazon, but when you consider what lives in London... All in all it's quite pleasant, things seem a little more relaxed and with the joys of the internet you don't seem disconnected from the wider world. Hurrah for country living! Tea and crumpets anyone?!
Here's the official blurb on Great Chesterford:
Great Chesterford and its near neighbour, Little Chesterford, are jointly known as
"The Chesterfords". Situated on the River Cam, about 10 miles south of
Cambridge, Great Chesterford is a picturesque village with a very active community. It has
its own railway station, on the main Cambridge to London Liverpool Street line, and is
about ½ mile from Junction 9 of the M11, which connects London with the North.
With archaeological finds dating as far back as 100,000 B.C. and evidence of a
Romano-Celtic Temple, Great Chesterford is rightly proud of its history. The 'modern-day'
village has many old houses of archaeological interest, and a beautiful and ancient
church. Great Chesterford boasts two pubs and a hotel, as well as a thriving shop and post
office. There is also an excellent school, which has just celebrated its 150th
anniversary, and two pre-school groups.
There are many clubs and societies meeting in the village and a host of social events from
steam engine days to grand summer balls. As well as presenting opportunities for a
busy social life, Great Chesterford also provides employment with its own small industrial
sector and various small businesses scattered about the village. There are also two
village-run charities: One caring for the needs of villagers and another helping children
and their families in Eastern Europe.
On to the important stuff!
Pubs
As a qualifier I will say that all the pubs are good compared to your average inner city London pub. That is service is better, they are far less smokey, food quality and quantities are better and there is parking. Of course they lack the crowds and dubious "vibrancy" of London pubs, but I guess that's the price for being in the country...
The Crown and Thistle (food = 1200-1430, 1900-2130)
Nice
ambience, mix of contemporary and traditional English pub decor (has "Cricket Greats
bat signed by Sir Richard Hadlee!), smallish size, with larger eating area attached, the
garden area has rabbits and a cluster of tables, but is mainly a patch of grass. The
food is tasty, much more like cafe Soc. food, though the staples like fish and chips are
also provided. There are specials on most nights, but the chef doesn't cook on
either Sunday or Monday nights.
Some accommodation available. Garden Bar. Stocks available for bad people.
The Plough (food = 1200-1430, 1800-2000)
Country
family pub in that traditional dark wood decor thing, there is lots of outside seating on
a big patch of grass leading to an adventure playground at back of the carpark! It
is very quiet with various hanging baskets and such like. Food is slightly cheaper
than the Crown and Thistle, but simpler fare with unsurprisingly a ploughman's lunch
available.
Telephone: 01799 530283. Garden Bar. Pool Table. Adventure
playground.
The Crown House Hotel/Restaurant
(food = 1200-1400, 1900-?)
Funny
place this, comes across as almost a try-hard Ponsonby cafe hindered by conservative
English values. The food was very nice, but service suffers from normal UK standards,
decor flowery and dated, bar has lots of comfy leather seats. They must have a good
chef, but don't want to drive away the ordinary punters. So strange dichotomy but
pleasant. Being a restaurant food and wine is much more expensive than the others
listed here.
Telephone: 01799 530515. Accommodation available.
Ikleton Lion (food = 1200-2200pm)
While not strictly in Great Chesterford, it is close by and serves food all day, the huge
portions of traditional pub fare taste good. Price is moderate compared to London, but the
quality is much better and so much more! Outside seating in nice garden setting, with a
small play area for kids.
Telephone: 01799 530269. Some accommodation available. Garden
Bar.
And the less exciting stuff:
Supermarkets
Saffron Walden Waitrose:
 | Mon-Tue 0830-1900 |
| Wed-Thur 0830-2000 |
| Fri 0830-2100 |
| Sat 0830-1900 |
| Sun 1000-1600 |
Saffron Walden Tesco:
| Mon 0800-Sat 2200 |
| Sun 1000-1600 |
School Street Surgery
telephone: 01799 530950
when closed contact Gold Street Surgery, Saffron Walden, 01799 525325
Mon-Fri 0830-1200
Mon and Wed 1630-1800
Trains
Liverpool St - Gt Chesterford:
| 2333 dep, 0047 arr *last train* |
| 0603 dep, 0710 arr *first train* |
| 0819 dep, 0925 arr |
| 0849 dep, 0958 arr |
Gt Chesterford - Liverpool St:
| 0619 dep, 0725 arr *first train* |
| 2103 dep, 2208 arr |
| 2203 dep, 2308 arr |
| 2303 dep, 0015 arr *last train* |
Rubbish
normal collection is Wednesday's 0800
alternating Tuesdays 0900
| paper |
| tin, glass, cardboard |
