Hidden amongst the trees lies Chigwell Row a small village in Essex. It’s a place steeped in history a place where the past whispers secrets to those who listen.
Chigwell Row is more than just a collection of houses. It’s a piece of England’s rich tapestry woven with threads of rural life and London’s influence. It boasts a population of 2243 people. This peaceful village is only 12.9 miles northeast of Charing Cross. London’s presence is felt here too thanks to the London Buses route 150. The nearby Grange Hill station connects Chigwell Row to the London Underground.
Imagine the village centuries ago. Farmers toiled in the fields. Their lives revolved around the seasons the land their families. Medicinal springs once flowed freely in Chigwell Row. Miller Christy documented these springs in his book ‘History of the mineral waters and medicinal springs of the county of Essex’ published in 1910. These springs are long gone but their presence is a part of the area’s heritage.
Chigwell Row also has its share of famous residents. Among them was Professor Edward Philip Harrison. A physicist meteorologist and military engineer he left his mark on the world. His life intersected with this unassuming village adding another layer to its story.
Charles Dickens himself found inspiration here. He frequented the area describing it as “the greatest place in the world”. His novel Barnaby Rudge features the Maypole Inn. This inn is based on the King’s Head inn in Chigwell though the name was taken from a pub in Chigwell Row. Dickens’ connection only heightens Chigwell Row’s charm.
Today Chigwell Row retains its quiet charm. Its beauty is in its subtle blend of the old and the new. The village’s past lives on in its architecture its stories and the memories of those who called it home. Chigwell Row is a destination that invites you to step back in time. Let the echoes of its history envelope you. Let it tell you a story.