| Kelvedon Hatch | |
|---|---|
 St Nicholas, Kelvedon Hatch | |
  Kelvedon Hatch Location withinEssex | |
| Area | 0.647 km2 (0.250 sq mi) |
| Population | 2,434 (2019 estimate, BUA) 2,541 (2011 Census parish)[1] |
| • Density | 3,762/km2 (9,740/sq mi) |
| OS grid reference | TQ576986 |
| Civil parish |
|
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BRENTWOOD |
| Postcode district | CM15 |
| Dialling code | 01277 |
| Police | Essex |
| Fire | Essex |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| UK Parliament | |
| 51°39′48″N0°16′42″E / 51.6633°N 0.2783°E /51.6633; 0.2783 | |
Kelvedon Hatch is a village andcivil parish in theBorough of Brentwood in southEssex, England. It is situated just north ofPilgrims Hatch, approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) to the north ofBrentwood and is surrounded by Metropolitan Green Belt. In 2019 the built up area had an estimated population of 2,434.[2] The parish had a population of 2,563 in 2001,[3] reducing to 2,541 at the 2011 Census[1] and climbed back up to 2,631 in 2021.[citation needed]
It is home to theKelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker, the largest and deepestCold Warbunker open to the public inSouth East England.The Coppice, Kelvedon Hatch, is a biologicalSite of Special Scientific Interest.
The name is recorded variously as Kelenduna, Kalenduna and Kelvenduna in theDomesday Book with the latter meaning Speckled Hill. From its early days in the Mediaeval period until the mid-20th century the main activity in Kelvedon Hatch was agriculture. Records from 1871 show 82 households, of which showed only 3 'white collar' households and 4 landowners or of independent means, with the majority of the rest engaged in a local agricultural economy. During the Victorian years, however, many younger people gravitated towards the main towns, encouraged by railway links atOngar andBrentwood and the decline in the local 'agriconomy' has its roots in that exodus.
First mentioned in theDomesday Book, the main estate building of the village wasKelvedon Hall. The manor was sold toJohn Wright, ayeoman fromSouth Weald, in 1538 and it remained in the family until the early 20th century; the manor house was rebuilt in the 18th century by the seventh John Wright. In 1937 the property was bought bySir Henry 'Chips' and Lady Honor Channon who restored the house and built the entrance gateway and lodges. In World War II it was used as aRed Cross convalescent home.[4]
Other mansions in the area of Kelvedon Hatch are Brizes, originally built in the late 15th century with the current building on the site dating back to the 1720s; and Great Myles, named for Miles de Muntenay, dating back to theDomesday Book but was largely demolished in 1837 although a few subsidiary buildings remain today.
To the west of Kelvedon Hatch in Navestock Parish liesDudbrook Hall, once owned by theWaldegrave family and which dates back to 1602. DuringWorld War II it was used to billetRAF officers based atStapleford[5] andWeald aerodromes. It is now a care home for the elderly.[6]51°39′49″N0°14′55″E / 51.663547°N 0.248603°E /51.663547; 0.248603
The medieval parish church ofSt Nicholas was replaced by a Victorian one in 1895.
