The best of both worlds

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With the help of our friends at Kelvedon Parish Council in Essex, we take a look at this beautiful village and its next-door neighbour, Feering, which off ers residents a tranquil haven with everything on their doorstep. The Best of Both Worlds

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A village of two villages is how Kelvedon and Feering might be described – even sharing a cricket team. While, strictly speaking, many of local amenities are located in Kelvedon, residents of both villages have access to a generous range of services.

Kelvedon is an historic and picturesque village in the heart of Essex, providing a beautiful blend of rural family life and easy access to many of the county’s hot spots.

It sits on the edge of Braintree District and is something of a haven for those who value the convenience of town-like services and transport links, alongside the tranquillity of countryside life.

Dating back over 2,000 years, much of its more recent history is preserved through architecture and there are many examples of this along Kelvedon high street. Designated a conservation area, it is a blend of old and new, with thriving businesses and amenities set among centuries-old buildings.

Photography by Simon Bellotti

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Photos by Simon Bellotti, simon@dephoto.co.uk

Once a largely agricultural community, thanks in part to its unique ‘micro-climate’, much of Kelvedon’s farmland is still active today. Perhaps the best known is that of Kings Seeds, which continues to be a leader in seed production.

There is a wealth of information regarding the history of Kelvedon in its dedicated museum and library.

A vibrant social scene

Kelvedon hosts a number of independent businesses, including several pubs and restaurants which contribute to a vibrant social scene in the village. There is also a café, wine bar and various takeaway establishments for when you need a night off from cooking.

Residents have access to two primary schools, a nursery and a GP surgery, as well as many other shops and services. Local secondary schools include two of the country’s leading grammar schools, as well as other highly regarded public and state schools in nearby areas. Twice winner of the Essex Best Kept Village Award in recent years, Kelvedon is well looked after and pleasing on the eye. Walkers and cyclists can enjoy numerous walkways and paths, taking in sights such as the River Blackwater, Brockwell Meadow Nature Reserve and a newly planted orchard.

In the heart of the village is its main and newly-renovated recreational ground which, as well as providing a year-round space to enjoy, plays host to the ever-popular Kelvedon Community Festival each year, with live music and other entertainment aplenty.

With local football, rugby, cricket, tennis and netball teams, as well as dance classes and an amateur dramatic society, there is plenty for children and adults to enjoy. And for when a little treat is required, Prested Hall – a premier leisure facility and wedding venue – has the facilities and treatments to oblige.

Everything close at hand

One of the most valuable and unique things about the village is its mainline railway station. With Chelmsford and Colchester both within a 15-minute ride, and London Liverpool Street around 45 minutes away, it is undoubtedly one of Kelvedon’s main draws for commuters and families alike.

Kelvedon is within easy reach of the capital, the coast and lots in between.

A popular summer day out is the nearby Maldon seafront, including the recently refurbished Promenade Park. Other local attractions are the boutique vineyard in Coggeshall, the famous Wilkin & Sons jam factory in Tiptree and Braintree Designer Shopping Village (formerly known as Freeport). Nearby Witham, Kelvedon’s closest town, offers employment opportunities as well as a good range of shops and eateries.

In the heart of the countryside and with great facilities, this unique village could certainly be considered an example of ‘the best of both worlds’.

For more information, go to www.kelvedon.org.uk

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THIS IS ESSEX – MAKE IT YOURS!

Amble Around

Explore the Flitch Way, which stretches almost 15 miles along the track of the former railway line between Braintree and Bishop’s Stortford. Today, the flat and well-surfaced route is a favourite with joggers, cyclists, dog-walkers, families, and in some sections – horse riders – looking to escape the hustle and bustle.

Essex offers a fantastic quality of life; with acres of open countryside, top visitor attractions, fast transport links to the capital, as well as top schools and business opportunities, it’s clear to see why so many people call Essex ‘home’.

We invited Visit Essex to tell us more about what makes the area so special, focusing on Braintree and the surrounding area…

Get Active

Families love heading over to Great Notley Country Park, which covers 100 acres of open space. Explore the 1.2km play trail featuring a giant see-saw, climbing forest, tyre swings, sand play area, rope climbers, slides, forts and much more. There’s also a Sky Ropes experience where you can swing, climb and jump around the high-wire course.

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Historic Essex

The Braintree District has a vast range of historically important buildings. Visit Cressing Temple Barns, between Witham and Braintree; it’s of supreme interest for its unique buildings and gardens, gifted to the Knights Templar in 1137. Among Cressing Temple’s many gardens, the Walled Garden is a lovely place to wander; it’s been faithfully reconstructed as a Tudor pleasure garden – one of a few in the country. Also, tuck into a yummy cream tea at a Tiptree tearoom, ‘The Barns’, which off ers a range of homemade meals with fresh and local ingredients.

Hop on over to Hedingham Castle too and step back into mediaeval England and watch jousting in the castle grounds. Or try an escape room with a diff erence on the top fl oor of the castle’s keep.

Vineyards

Thanks to its warm and dry climes, Essex has become renowned for its excellent vineyards. Just a short drive from Witham is Bardfi eld Vineyard which has been producing award-winning wine for almost 30 years. Visitors can enjoy a tour of the vineyard and wine tasting either with a self-guided trail or for groups by appointment. Wine can also be purchased from the vineyard shop.

To discover more, www.visitessex.com

SCAN HERE A bright future

Supporting the availability of good quality, sustainable and aff ordable A BRIGHT FUTURE

Supporting the availability of good quality, sustainable and aff ordable homes that best meet the needs of current and future residents remains a key priority for Braintree District Council.

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More than 400 aff ordable homes were completed across the district in 2021-22, the highest number ever delivered in one year.

The council is also investing £24.3 million into Horizon 120 – a 65-acre business and innovation park being built just off the A131 at Great Notley in Braintree, strategically close to the A120.

The development will create up to 2,000 jobs for local people, and includes a new enterprise centre, providing space for conferences and events as well as