| Finchingfield | |
Finchingfield looking East |
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Finchingfield
Finchingfield shown within Essex |
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| Population | 1,348 |
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| OS grid reference | TL683327 |
| Parish | Finchingfield |
| District | Braintree |
| Shire county | Essex |
| Region | East |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Braintree |
| Postcode district | CM7 |
| Dialling code | 01371 |
| Police | Essex |
| Fire | Essex |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
| List of places: UK • England • Essex | |
Finchingfield is a village situated in the Braintree district of Essex. It is in the north-west of the county, which is a primarily rural area. It is situated approximately six miles from Thaxted somewhat further from the larger towns of Saffron Walden & Braintree.
Nearby villages include Great Bardfield, Great Sampford & Wethersfield.
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There has been a settlement at the site since records began; in the time of William the Conqueror it was called Phincingfelda and there is archeological evidence for a Roman villa having been situated some 400 metres south-south-west of the village church. The village was an official stop for horse-drawn coaches journeying from London to Norwich. Spains Hall, the nearby Elizabethan country house, was built in the early 15th century and was the hub of the community, owning much of the village and employing most of the villagers.[1]
The Civil Parish of Finchingfield had a population of about 1,348 according to the United Kingdom Census 2001 with three types of inhabitants: those who have lived and worked in the area all their lives; those who have moved to the village to work locally or retire; and commuters.[2]
The ecclesiastical parish covers Finchingfield as well as the villages of Cornish Hall End, Shalford & Wethersfield.
There are many societies and clubs in the village, including The Finchingfield Society, the Horticultural Society, the Royal British Legion and Finchingfield Cricket Club.[1]
Finchingfield is regarded as a 'picture-postcard' village and one of the most photographed in England with a duck pond and village green surrounded by Georgian and medieval cottages; a church, St John the Baptist Church, which is on the hill; an 18th century windmill; three public houses; a hall; a primary school; a Post Office; a grocery store; and a doctor's surgery.[1]