Interesting facts about Sawbridgeworth

Did you know?

Sawbridgeworth is the 645th largest town in the UK with a population of 9,800 according to www.thegeographist.wordpress.com

According to Wikipedia at the time of the Norman Conquest, Sawbridgeworth and the surrounding area was the “richest village community in the country”.

Sawbridgeworth is recorded in the Doomsday book in 1086 as “Sabrixteworde”

Where Lawrence Moorings now stands was a large joinery works manufacturing doors and timber products; Walter Lawrence & Son Ltd. During WW2 production switched to making fuselages and wings for the De Havilland Mosquito fighter plane.

Sawbridgeworth is the birthplace of actor Stephen Grief and composer Bernard Rose (We’ve never heard of them either)

Sawbridgeworth is well endowed with pubs, but in recent years several have all shut their doors for the last time:

  • The King of Prussia (renamed The Prince of Wales when WW1 started) stood directly opposite Budgens
  • The Fox Inn (Station Road)
  • The Railway Inn (Station Road)
  • The Good Intent (Station Road)
  • The Market House (Knight Street)
  • Goose fat and Garlic bar (Bell Street)

Famous Sawbridgeworth Alumni:

Anne Boleyn – Not sure she ever came to Sawbridgeworth, but Henry VIII bought Pishiobury Park from Lord Scrope in 1534 then gifted it to her.
David and Victoria Beckham – while they were still cool
Rod Stewart – well Almost
Ronnie Corbett, Cliff Richard and Tony Blackburn all came to Sawbridgeworth to open the fete on the Bullfields back in the late 60’s/early 70’s

If you have any interesting facts about Sawbridgeworth please let us know. Send us a message via the contact form.