Steeple Bumpstead borders three counties. It is situated in the county of Essex but has a postal address of "Haverhill, Suffolk" and is also on the border with Cambridgeshire. Hence the postal address comes under Haverhill and the postcode under Cambridge. It is ideally situated also to visit the historic and quaint villages of Clare, Long Melford, Lavenham and larger towns of Sudbury, Halstead and Braintree. What a wonderful base to explore from and to come back to the warm, friendly and comfortable accommodation offered at Orchard House. There are two village pubs for hot meals, a local village store, sub post office and petrol forecourt. The village has a monthly farmers market where there is a variety of interesting stalls. You can follow local footpaths across the surrounding farmland as these are well marked. Steeple Bumpstead has an interesting history too which is briefly described in the wikipedia listing.
The town of Haverhill is the nearest to the village being only 3 miles away. It has various eating places, shops, a cinema, ten pin bowling alley, 18 hole golf course and large leisure centre offering swimming, gym and various classes and sauna/steam facilities.
The market town of Saffron Walden is 20 mins drive away and has a twice weekly open market and lots of shops/restaurants and supermarkets.
The city of Cambridge is 30 mins drive and offers lots to see and do. From punting on the Cam to having a historic tour of the city, seeing a show or visiting a theatre. There is an endless variety of restaurants including 'Jamies' as well as cafes and two large shopping arcades with all the big brand names. Nearby are the National Trust properties of Anglesey Abbey & Mill and Ickworth House park & gardens. Other local popular attractions are Hedingham Castle, Headingham steam trains, Kentwell Hall, Duxford Aircraft Museum, Audley End House and Linton Zoo.
The nearest train link to London is Audley End, near to Saffron Walden. Cambridge station or Stansted station & Airport are 30mins drive away.
