Helen's Guidebook
Local places to visit
Radwinter is a small village with a population of 600. The Plough Bar and Grill is half a mile east of the village centre. It’s a popular pub and gets busy at weekends. They open Wednesday to Sunday.
The church is 700 years old. It was massively restored in the 1800s. It contains some interesting and beautiful artefacts. Unfortunately it’s locked except for services and on the first Saturday of each month when there is a coffee morning.
The village school, Radwinter Church of England Primary School, has a good reputation.
On the Recreation Ground behind the Village Hall there is a new sports pavilion built with money raised by villagers. Weekly classes of yoga and other sports are held there.
Behind the pavilion is a BMX bike track and a new playground for children.
Around Radwinter are some beautiful walks beside the River Pant amongst meadows with wild flowers and fields. There are footpath signs in each direction. The quickest way from the Vinery is to leave by the gate ( please shut it behind you) in the bottom left hand corner of the garden ( behind the old chicken hut) walk up the hill and after Old Hill house turn right and walk down to the river. Cross the bridge. Walk straight on up the next hill turn left and left again for a short walk back to the house or longer walks in the other direction will take you to the village or beyond through the churchyard. Church meadow is a stunning orchard and in the summer you will walk past a field of sunflowers; Radwinter’s little corner of France!
Dog owners, please remember to clean up after your dog.
Radwinter
Radwinter is a small village with a population of 600. The Plough Bar and Grill is half a mile east of the village centre. It’s a popular pub and gets busy at weekends. They open Wednesday to Sunday.
The church is 700 years old. It was massively restored in the 1800s. It contains some interesting and beautiful artefacts. Unfortunately it’s locked except for services and on the first Saturday of each month when there is a coffee morning.
The village school, Radwinter Church of England Primary School, has a good reputation.
On the Recreation Ground behind the Village Hall there is a new sports pavilion built with money raised by villagers. Weekly classes of yoga and other sports are held there.
Behind the pavilion is a BMX bike track and a new playground for children.
Around Radwinter are some beautiful walks beside the River Pant amongst meadows with wild flowers and fields. There are footpath signs in each direction. The quickest way from the Vinery is to leave by the gate ( please shut it behind you) in the bottom left hand corner of the garden ( behind the old chicken hut) walk up the hill and after Old Hill house turn right and walk down to the river. Cross the bridge. Walk straight on up the next hill turn left and left again for a short walk back to the house or longer walks in the other direction will take you to the village or beyond through the churchyard. Church meadow is a stunning orchard and in the summer you will walk past a field of sunflowers; Radwinter’s little corner of France!
Dog owners, please remember to clean up after your dog.
Saffron Walden ( 5 miles from
Radwinter) is a market town containing many medieval buildings.
The Anglican church of Saint Mary is the largest in Essex.
Some interesting places to visit in the town are Bridge End Gardens, Middleton Place, Castle Street, Market Square, the two mazes; the turf maze on the Common is the largest in England and the Museum and Castle ruins. The museum is an excellent small museum with lots of hands on activities for children; another favourite place to visit with my grandchildren. The Tuesday and Saturday markets are excellent.
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Saffron Walden
Saffron Walden ( 5 miles from
Radwinter) is a market town containing many medieval buildings.
The Anglican church of Saint Mary is the largest in Essex.
Some interesting places to visit in the town are Bridge End Gardens, Middleton Place, Castle Street, Market Square, the two mazes; the turf maze on the Common is the largest in England and the Museum and Castle ruins. The museum is an excellent small museum with lots of hands on activities for children; another favourite place to visit with my grandchildren. The Tuesday and Saturday markets are excellent.
Thaxted is 6 miles from Radwinter. It is a stunning town full of ancient buildings, including the windmill, the Guild Hall and the large church. On special days the Thaxted Morris Dancers perform outside the church. On Plough Sunday when the ploughing season is celebrated and local farms are blessed, they dance inside the church.
On Fridays there is a good market in the Main Street.
Thaxted
Thaxted is 6 miles from Radwinter. It is a stunning town full of ancient buildings, including the windmill, the Guild Hall and the large church. On special days the Thaxted Morris Dancers perform outside the church. On Plough Sunday when the ploughing season is celebrated and local farms are blessed, they dance inside the church.
On Fridays there is a good market in the Main Street.
Audley End is a 17th century Jacobean mansion situated 2 miles from Saffron Walden. It is now one third of its original size but is still big. It is owned by English Heritage but it was originally owned by the Braybrooke family.
The beautiful gardens were designed by Capability Brown. There are regular events for children all through the year in the house and grounds. My grandchildren and I often visit. Their favourites are the horses who are brought out of their stables to be stroked.
The miniature railway and the Elf and Fairy Walk are opposite the mansion and come highly recommended.
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Audley End
Audley End is a 17th century Jacobean mansion situated 2 miles from Saffron Walden. It is now one third of its original size but is still big. It is owned by English Heritage but it was originally owned by the Braybrooke family.
The beautiful gardens were designed by Capability Brown. There are regular events for children all through the year in the house and grounds. My grandchildren and I often visit. Their favourites are the horses who are brought out of their stables to be stroked.
The miniature railway and the Elf and Fairy Walk are opposite the mansion and come highly recommended.
Cambridge is 19 miles from the Vinery. The university dates back to 1209. Make sure you visit the impressive Kings College chapel, home of the famous choir.
Hire a punt and see the backs of the colleges from the River Cam.
The Fitzwilliam Museum contains one of the best collections of antiquities and Modern Art in Europe. There are hands-on activities for children.
Shopping is good in the Grand Arcade in the centre or the Grafton further out of the town.
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Cambridge
Cambridge is 19 miles from the Vinery. The university dates back to 1209. Make sure you visit the impressive Kings College chapel, home of the famous choir.
Hire a punt and see the backs of the colleges from the River Cam.
The Fitzwilliam Museum contains one of the best collections of antiquities and Modern Art in Europe. There are hands-on activities for children.
Shopping is good in the Grand Arcade in the centre or the Grafton further out of the town.
The Imperial War Museum near Duxford is Britain’s largest aviation museum. It houses 200 aircraft including Concorde, many military vehicles, artillery and naval vessels and much more in seven main exhibition buildings.
The site itself is of historic interest.
Some of the original hangars were used in the Battle of Britain.
It is 13 miles from the Vinery. We recommend it for a family visit. My grandchildren aged 6 and 9 enjoyed being so close to such enormous machines and actually going inside some of them and having fun in the playground and especially having ice creams from the cafe.
Duxford
The Imperial War Museum near Duxford is Britain’s largest aviation museum. It houses 200 aircraft including Concorde, many military vehicles, artillery and naval vessels and much more in seven main exhibition buildings.
The site itself is of historic interest.
Some of the original hangars were used in the Battle of Britain.
It is 13 miles from the Vinery. We recommend it for a family visit. My grandchildren aged 6 and 9 enjoyed being so close to such enormous machines and actually going inside some of them and having fun in the playground and especially having ice creams from the cafe.
Finchingfield, 6 miles from Radwinter is a beautiful, picturesque village with a great pub, tea shops, antique shops and a bistro all situated on or close to the village green and pond, framed by thatched cottages.
It is a popular place for cyclists and motorcyclists.
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Finchingfield
Finchingfield, 6 miles from Radwinter is a beautiful, picturesque village with a great pub, tea shops, antique shops and a bistro all situated on or close to the village green and pond, framed by thatched cottages.
It is a popular place for cyclists and motorcyclists.
Chilford Hall Vineyard is one of the oldest established vineyards in England. Only 11 miles from Radwinter it is definitely worth a visit.
Book a vineyard tour and then enjoy a cream tea on the terrace. ( tours and teas have been postponed until Easter 2021).
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Chilford Hall Vineyard
Balsham RoadChilford Hall Vineyard is one of the oldest established vineyards in England. Only 11 miles from Radwinter it is definitely worth a visit.
Book a vineyard tour and then enjoy a cream tea on the terrace. ( tours and teas have been postponed until Easter 2021).
Food scene
Walk out of the door of the Vinery and in 2 minutes you are at the Plough.
It was refurbished a few years ago and is now a bar and grill serving all sorts of drinks from real ales to a range of spirits and champagne. There is a wide menu with seven different delicious steaks! The atmosphere is welcoming and the service is excellent. They also do takeaways.
Dogs are now allowed in the conservatory behind the pub.
Eat and drink your fill and then stumble the few yards back to the Vinery! (It is very popular at weekends so remember to book.)
The Plough Bar & Grill
Walk out of the door of the Vinery and in 2 minutes you are at the Plough.
It was refurbished a few years ago and is now a bar and grill serving all sorts of drinks from real ales to a range of spirits and champagne. There is a wide menu with seven different delicious steaks! The atmosphere is welcoming and the service is excellent. They also do takeaways.
Dogs are now allowed in the conservatory behind the pub.
Eat and drink your fill and then stumble the few yards back to the Vinery! (It is very popular at weekends so remember to book.)
The Three Hills is one of our favourite places to visit for a special occasion. However, although you go there for fine dining there is also ‘pizza in the meadow’
You eat in a beautiful orangery and there is a pretty covered area outside where you can sit socially distanced.
Besides the restaurant there are 6 luxury en-suite rooms.
7 Einheimische empfehlen
The Three Hills
Bartlow RoadThe Three Hills is one of our favourite places to visit for a special occasion. However, although you go there for fine dining there is also ‘pizza in the meadow’
You eat in a beautiful orangery and there is a pretty covered area outside where you can sit socially distanced.
Besides the restaurant there are 6 luxury en-suite rooms.
This is an unusual place a cafe, specialist grocers , gift shop and Post Office all under one roof! Great for a light lunch and it has an outdoor play area for children. Next door is Bardfield Garden Centre.
Situated just outside Great Bardfield ( a beautiful village full of medieval houses) about 10 miles from the Vinery.
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The Blue Egg
Braintree RoadThis is an unusual place a cafe, specialist grocers , gift shop and Post Office all under one roof! Great for a light lunch and it has an outdoor play area for children. Next door is Bardfield Garden Centre.
Situated just outside Great Bardfield ( a beautiful village full of medieval houses) about 10 miles from the Vinery.
This beautiful converted 17th century barn sells antiques, gifts, cards, garden accessories and home ware. It is also home to Elder Street Cafe which comes highly recommended. On good days sit in the sun on the beautiful marble terrace and imagine you’re in Italy.
Situated close to Radwinter ( 4 miles) Drop in for morning coffee on your way to Saffron Walden. ( Take the turning down Maple Lane as you leave the village towards Wimbish)
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Debden Barns
This beautiful converted 17th century barn sells antiques, gifts, cards, garden accessories and home ware. It is also home to Elder Street Cafe which comes highly recommended. On good days sit in the sun on the beautiful marble terrace and imagine you’re in Italy.
Situated close to Radwinter ( 4 miles) Drop in for morning coffee on your way to Saffron Walden. ( Take the turning down Maple Lane as you leave the village towards Wimbish)
This 16th century half timbered pub has great food, a range of beers, wine and gins and a beer garden.
It is situated in Bridge Street in the oldest medieval area of Saffron Walden where the houses remain as they were built 500 years ago.
The Eight Bells
18 Bridge StThis 16th century half timbered pub has great food, a range of beers, wine and gins and a beer garden.
It is situated in Bridge Street in the oldest medieval area of Saffron Walden where the houses remain as they were built 500 years ago.
We recommend the food at this 12th century casual restaurant in the middle of Saffron Walden’s High Street. Besides the restaurant there’s also a pub and a quaint coffee shop. It’s conveniently close to the shops, museum and the Fry Art Gallery.
Cross Keys Hotel
32 High StWe recommend the food at this 12th century casual restaurant in the middle of Saffron Walden’s High Street. Besides the restaurant there’s also a pub and a quaint coffee shop. It’s conveniently close to the shops, museum and the Fry Art Gallery.
Seriously cool bike cafe and shop in George Street, Saffron Walden.
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Bicicletta - Coffee con Velo
Seriously cool bike cafe and shop in George Street, Saffron Walden.