abridge

Coordinates: 51°39′08″N 0°07′09″E / 51.6523°N 0.1191°E / 51.6523; 0.1191

Abridge
Abridge  Abridge shown within Essex
Population	1,500 (2001 Census)
OS grid reference	TQ466969
Parish	Lambourne
District	Epping Forest
Shire county	Essex
Region	East
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	ROMFORD
Postcode district	RM4
Dialling code	01992
Police	Essex
Fire	Essex
Ambulance	East of England
EU Parliament	East of England
UK Parliament	Brentwood and Ongar
List of places: UK • England • Essex

Abridge is a village in Essex, England. It is on the River Roding, 16 miles (26 km) southwest of the county town of Chelmsford. The village is in the district of Epping Forest and in the parliamentary constituency of Brentwood & Ongar. It is part of the civil parish of Lambourne and is served by Lambourne Parish Council.^[1]

It takes its name from the brick bridge over the River Roding, which is situated just to the north of the modern centre, on the road to Theydon Bois.

History

Abridge lies on the historically important stagecoach route between London and Chipping Ongar and has been an important crossing point of the River Roding for many centuries. The boundary of the Conservation Area includes the historic core of the village which is evident on the Chapman and Andre Map of 1777. Originally in the parish of Lambourne, Holy Trinity Church was built in 1836; before this, parishioners had to walk to three miles to Lambourne Church by a footpath. A Wesleyan chapel was built in Abridge in 1833; it became Congregational in 1844.^[2] The hymn tune "Abridge" was named after the village by Isaac Smith 1734-1805.^[3]

Listed buildings include the Blue Boar Inn (early 19th century), the group of medieval buildings that form the Roding Restaurant, the 18th century house immediately north east of the restaurant, Roding House (late medieval) and River Cottage in Ongar Road, and The Maltsters Arms (18th century).

To the east of the village is Stapleford Aerodrome formerly RAF Stapleford Tawney of 11 Group east sector.

Geography

The village is in the south-west of the county, 16 miles (26 km) from Chelmsford. It is closer to London, being 14 miles (23 km) north-west of central London. It lies on the River Roding and is surrounded by a rural area. The nearest major settlements are Loughton 2.2 miles (3.5 km) to the West, Chigwell 2.4 miles (3.9 km) to the south-west and Theydon Bois 1.7 miles (2.7 km) north-east of the village .

It lies within the M25 orbital, but its closest major road link is the M11 motorway at junction 5 (towards London only). The main road that links the village with the M11 and Essex and London is the A113. Its nearest rail link is Theydon Bois tube station, on the Central Line (Travelcard Zone 6), 1.6 miles (2.6 km) to the north-east of the village. The 541 bus links the village with Loughton, Theydon Bois and Epping. It extends to Harlow on Sundays. On the SAXTON'S Map of Essex, 1576 it is marked as Heybridge

Woodlands

To the South East is APSE grove, commonly incorrectly called APES grove and has been nicknamed Bluebell. Most woodlands are open to public use.

Walks

Spectacular views over the Roding Valley are to be enjoyed when walking South to Lambourne church via various easy walking routes through spectacular open farmland, which is being sympathetically farmed to preserve this unique Green Belt space for all.

Transport

Bus

Currently routes 541 and 575 serve the village.

Train

The nearest train stations are London Underground services and are from Loughton, Debden and Theydon Bois where frequent trains operate directly to London. Route 541 (Loughton to Epping) serves all of these stations daily.

Notable residents

• Alan Curbishley - Football club manager
• David Essex - Former musical resident

References

1. ^ "Lambourne Parish Council - Key Contacts". www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk. http://www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/local_democracy/democratic_services/default.asp?modgovlink=http%3A%2F%2Frds.eppingforestdc.gov.uk%2FmgParishCouncilDetails.asp%3FID%3D328. Retrieved 2007-01-21. 
2. ^ http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15570
3. ^ http://hymntime.com/tch/bio/s/m/i/smith_i.htm

[1] Lambourne Parish Council Web page

External links

Media related to Abridge at Wikimedia Commons