ABRIDGE

The village of Abridge lies on the historically important coaching route between London and Chipping Ongar and has been an important crossing point of the River Roding for many centuries.  The boundary of the Conservation Area includes the historic core of the village which is evident on the Chapman and Andre Map of 1777.

Market Place has a mixed residential and commercial character which adds to the vitality of the space.  There are several prominent listed buildings in the Market Place the oldest of which is the "hall house" (known as the Coach House), which dates from the 14th century and is listed Grade II*.  It is of exceptional interest because it is a rare survivor of a type of house, formerly common, in which the walls of the hall were no higher than the lower storey of the crosswing (most were raised when a floor or chimney was inserted in the 16th century).

Abridge c1900

Other listed buildings include the Blue Boar Inn (early 19th century), the group of medieval buildings that form the Roding Restaurant, the 18th century house immediately north east of the restaurant, Roding House (late medieval) and River Cottage in Ongar Road, and The Maltsters Arms (18th century).