A little history of Chigwell

Ye Olde Kings Head, Chigwell

Chigwell, a town in Essex, England, has a rich history dating back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it was recorded as "Cingheuuella." The name is believed to derive from the Anglo-Saxon personal name "Cicca" and the Old English word "wella," meaning "well" or "spring," possibly referring to "Cicca's well."

A notable landmark in Chigwell is the Ye Olde Kings Head, a 17th-century coaching inn located opposite St Mary's Church. This establishment gained literary fame as the inspiration for the Maypole Inn in Charles Dickens' novel "Barnaby Rudge." Dickens described it as "such a delicious old inn opposite the churchyard," highlighting its picturesque setting.

Over the centuries, Chigwell transitioned from a rural village to a suburban area, especially after the arrival of the railway in the 19th century. Despite suburban growth, it retains a village feel, with conservation areas that include Georgian houses and 17th-century cottages.