Hatfield Heath facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hatfield Heath |
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 Holy Trinity Church, Hatfield Heath |
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 Hatfield Heath
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| Population | 1,786 (2021) |
| OS grid reference | TL523149 |
| District |
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| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Bishop's Stortford |
| Postcode district | CM22 |
| Dialling code | 01279 |
| Police | Essex |
| Fire | Essex |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
Hatfield Heath is a lovely village in Essex, England. It's part of the Uttlesford area. The village is very close to the border with Hertfordshire. Nearby towns include Bishop's Stortford and Sawbridgeworth. Stansted Airport is also quite close, about 8 kilometers (5 miles) to the north.
Contents
Village History
The village of Hatfield Heath grew over time. A nearby market town, Hatfield Broad Oak, became smaller. But Hatfield Heath grew bigger because it was near important main roads.
In 1660, a big fair that used to be in Hatfield Broad Oak moved to Hatfield Heath. By the late 1700s, there were many cottages around the village green. In the 1800s, the village had schools, a church, and even a brewery.
Early Records
In the 1870s, a book called the Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales described Hatfield Heath. It said the village became a separate church area in 1860. It had a population of 622 people and 124 houses.
The church was built in 1860. It had a tower and a spire. There was also another church for a different group called the Independents.
Schools in the Past
After 1860, Hatfield Heath became its own church district. It was still part of Hatfield Broad Oak parish. By 1901, Hatfield Heath had 579 people.
The church helped support three schools in the wider area. The National School in Hatfield Heath was built in 1899. It could teach 201 children. In 1902, about 66 children went there every day.
A man named George Cheveley left money in his will in 1894. This money helped pay for the education of children at Hatfield Heath National School.
There was also a non-religious school built in 1857 in Hatfield Broad Oak. It joined with Hatfield Heath National School in 1929.
Churches and Community
The Congregational church in Hatfield Heath has a long history. It started in 1665. The community first met in a meeting house, then in a barn. By 1724, about 300 people attended.
The current church building was built in 1875. In 1972, this church became part of the United Reformed Church.
Old Bridges
An old bridge over Pincey Brook on the road to Matching was built before the late 1200s. This bridge was called Doune Bridge. At first, a priory (a type of monastery) was in charge of keeping it in good repair. Later, local lords of the manor were responsible.
By the mid-1600s, these lords didn't always fix the bridge. The county took over its care in 1881. Another bridge, Stone Bridge, is on the Chelmsford Road. Local farmers were responsible for it until 1779. By 1858, it was in poor condition.
Important Buildings
'Gladwyns' is an important estate in Hatfield Heath. It got its name in the early 1300s, during the time of King Edward II. The house on the estate was built in the early 1800s. It was listed as a special historic building in 1981.
The White Horse inn is a very old building from the 1600s. It's made of timber and is at the north of the village green. The Stag (also known as Bald Stag) is an 18th-century brick building. It was probably called the Horseshoe before. Other inns like The Bell and The White Hart closed in the 1700s.
Over the last 150 years, many businesses have been in Hatfield Heath. These include people who made machines, stone workers, and harness makers. More recently, there have been civil engineers, a slaughterhouse, and a sausage maker.
World War II Camp
During the Second World War, a prisoner-of-war camp called Camp 116 was built on Mill Lane in 1941. It closed in 1955. In 2003, a survey found that the camp was still mostly complete.
In 2018, there was a plan to build houses on the old camp site. But local people started a petition to save the camp. They wanted to restore it as a historical place.
Parish Formation
Hatfield Heath became its own civil parish on April 1, 1987. This happened when parts of Hatfield Broad Oak and Little Hallingbury joined together.
Life in Hatfield Heath
In 2011, about 1,930 people lived in Hatfield Heath.
Village Businesses and Facilities
Hatfield Heath has many businesses and places for the community. Most of these are around the north side of the village green. You can find Chinese and Indian restaurants, a kebab shop, and a fish and chip shop.
There are also two pubs, a café with a post office, a bakery, and a print shop. The village has a dog grooming place, a doctor's surgery, and two churches. There's also a village hall, a primary school, and two hotels.
The Anglican church is called The Holy Trinity. It was built in 1859. In 1883, parts of the church were improved.
Village Festival
Every summer, the Hatfield Heath Festival takes place on the village green. The festival started in June 1969. Its first goal was to raise money to rebuild and maintain the village hall.
After a break of nine years, the festival started again. Now, its main purpose is to give the community a fun weekend of events.
Sports and Nature
Hatfield Heath Cricket Club has four teams. They play their home games on the village green. The main team plays in the Herts and Essex Cricket League.
The parish also includes the Down Hall country house and estate. Pincey Brook, a small river that flows into the River Stort, runs through the area.
Just north of the parish is Hatfield Forest. This is a very special place. It's one of the best examples in Britain of an old Royal Hunting Forest. The forest is open to everyone. It covers about 425 hectares (1049 acres) of woodland, grassy areas with trees, a lake, and marshland.
Getting Around
Buses connect Hatfield Heath to many places. You can take a bus to Harlow, Saffron Walden, Chelmsford, Ongar, White Roding, and Stansted Airport.
The closest train stations are Bishop's Stortford, Harlow Town, Harlow Mill, Sawbridgeworth, and Chelmsford.
See also
In Spanish: Hatfield Heath para niños
