To provide you with the best experience, cookies are used on this site.  Learn more

Allow cookies
The Kings Head Chigwell Village, former inn frequented by Charles Dickens.

Book Tickets Online

About

Charles Dickens was a frequent visitor to Chigwell which he described as "the greatest place in the world...Such a delicious old inn opposite the church...such beautiful forest scenery...such an out of the way rural place!" Today its high street is still dominated by the former Kings Head, a 17th century building which was the model for The Maypole in Charles Dickens novel Barnaby Rudge.

A village on the coaching route out of London, it is now a conservation area of elegant Georgian houses, pretty weather-boarded cottages, 12th-century St Mary Church, complete with an intact Norman doorway, and Chigwell School, founded in 1629 from a bequest by Samuel Harsnett, Archbishop of York. Among many famous past pupils are William Penn, who later went on to found Pennsylvania, and actor Sir Ian Holm. The original 17th-century schoolroom where Penn was taught still stands, and is now the school library.

Those looking for fine food or sports venues will not be disappointed and for lovers of the English countryside, Roding Valley Meadows Nature Reserve is nearby. The town is included in a number of London loop walks, which start in the city and passes through the outskirts of the capital – see the plaque on the wall of Chigwell Station on the Central Line. The stylish station building was built in 1903 by the Great Eastern Railway.

Sir Alan Sugar is a famous resident and, as until very recently Tottenham Hotspur Football Club had its training facilities nearby, it's not surprising that many of the other famous residents connected with Chigwell are football players.

Why not combine a visit to Chigwell with nearby Buckhurst Hill, looking over Epping Forest and home to designer shopping and cafe culture made famous by a certain Essex lifestyle television programme.

Map & Directions

Public Transport Directions

Chigwell Station is on the Central Line.

Chigwell

Type:Towns & Villages

Chigwell, Chigwell, Essex, IG7 6QB

What's Nearby

  1. Get out into the countryside and discover history, heritage and ever-changing natural…

    0.37 miles away
  2. Visit the largest remaining species-rich water meadow in Essex with its famous display of…

    0.38 miles away
  3. Visit the largest remaining species-rich water meadow in Essex with its famous display of…

    0.38 miles away
  4. Limes Farm Art Group: Online Exhibition

    Part of the Epping Forest Festival of…

    1.18 miles away
  1. Working for the past, present and future of jazz

    1.88 miles away
  2. Find your place at Loughton Leisure Centre

    1.9 miles away
  3. Get out into the countryside and discover history, heritage and ever-changing natural…

    2.16 miles away
  4. Get out into the countryside and discover history, heritage and ever-changing natural…

    2.57 miles away
  5. Discover the Forest and its Royal Tudor connections

    2.82 miles away
  6. One of two Iron Age Forts within Epping Forest which legend says was the site of Dick…

    2.84 miles away
  7. Epping Forest, London's largest open space, is a registered charity managed by the City…

    2.96 miles away
  8. Planted by local people and featuring a meadow, orchard and an earthwork sculpture…

    3.06 miles away
  9. Mayhem Paintball was established in 1987 in Essex on the edge of London. We have catered…

    3.34 miles away
  10. Get out into the countryside and discover history, heritage and ever-changing natural…

    3.34 miles away
  11. Get out into the countryside and discover history, heritage and ever-changing natural…

    3.34 miles away
  12. An indoor mini zoo offering a mega experience featuring rehoused and rescued animals with…

    3.63 miles away
Previous Next

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss