Areas – Arlesey

Thinking of moving to Arlesey?

Although classed as a Town Arlesey still has a great ‘Village’ feel to it.

Ideally situated close to the A1 – which leads to the M25 and having its own Railway Station with direct lines to Kings Cross and Peterborough Arlesey is a bustling and thriving place to live. 25 minutes from London Luton Airport it has easy access to the Airport and many local areas (Hitchin, Stevenage, Letchworth, Bedford and Milton Keynes).

Arlesey offers lots of facilities to the local people and passing trade. This includes: Post Offices, Sandwich Shop, Cash Point, 3 Local convenience Stores, Gents Barbers, Ladies Hairdressers, Bookies, Photographer, Dog Grooming, Sunbeds, Fish and Chips Takeaway, Chinese and Indian Takeaway and also an Indian Restaurant which is a must try.

There are also many other companies that can supply White Goods, Promotional items, Carpet Warehouse, Mechanics, Wedding Supplies, Schools and Nurseries, Cleaning and Ironing Facilities, Lawnmower repairs, Gardeners, Electricians and Carpenters, whatever you need is local and available, Pubs and the local Football Club.

There is also a great Youth-club and Community Centre for Children with large playing fields at the rear along with Tennis Courts and a BMX site.

If you are a sailing fan or a fisherman there is also a fishing lake and a large boating lake too where the famous Arlesey Bomb (float) was invented by a local fisherman.
So there is much going on is this friendly Village/Town and with Summer Fetes and events it’s great to meet your new friends and Neighbours.

Arlesey is a very green, lush area with great walks, rivers and views – if you need to know more – just ask :)

The Pump, Arlesey

St Peters Church, Arlesey

South of Arlesey

Old Oak Pub

Famous Arlesey Grave

Blue Lagoon, Arlesey

Train Station, Arlesey

War Memorial

The White Horse

LOCAL AMENITIES:

Arlesey Fish and Chips, 01462 732272
If you are looking for some tasty fish and chips look no further than the Arlesey fish and chip shop.
Run by Dragan Marjanovic – Fish and Chips won Best Chippy Chips in Bedfordshire – Dragan says his recipe for success is sticking to traditional cooking methods.
Everything is cooked fresh and generous sized portions a great tasty treat for all the family !

Arlesey Chemist, 01462 731200
Step back in time to this friendly little chemist. No matter how small, they stock it all or will have your prescriptions delivered the next day. Great for all the last-minute buys we need when moving home.

Arlesey Town Football Club, 01462 734504
Arlesey Town Football Club celebrated their centenary in 1991, having been formed by a group of local people before the turn of the last century. Before the Second World War, Soccer was played on a localised basis, and in common with many clubs in the area, Arlesey competed in the flourishing Biggleswade & District League and entered the Biggleswade Knock-out Cup.
A great family event – watch your local team then enjoy a drink and chat in the club house. ATFC also offer a great function room for weddings and parties.
Teams of all ages can play for Arlesey Youth just call them for details

Arlesey Train Station
Arlesey has its own train station with direct lines to London Kings Cross and Peterborough North. With drop off parking bays and pay and display carpark this is a great facility for those wanting to live in the country and still commute.

Arlesey Pubs
Many years ago Arlesey had over 20 village pubs. Many of these have now sadly closed but the village still offers lots of great ambiance pubs. Serving home cooked meals and with family facilities Arlesey can offer a lovely family lunch or evening out. Most pubs also offer safe playing areas for children too and some are pet friendly.

Ambitions Unisex Hair Salon, 01462 735588

Arlesey not only offers 2 mens barbers but a great unisex salon called Ambitions. Up to the minute hairstyles, extensions and colours from the professional team of ladies. A great all round service for young to OAP’s and children too!

A brief history of Arlesey

Arlesey is a long village with an equally long chronicled history. The entry in the doomsday book of 1086 reads;

This entry records the principle landowners as being the Bishop of Durham (Arleseybury, which he gave to the monks of Waltham Abbey); William d’Eu Count of Eu, second son of Robert d’Eu, who came from the port of Seine-Maritime and owned Arlesey Manor (Etonbury – land to the north of Stotfold Road to Astwick) and Nigel d’Aubigney who came from St Martin d’Aubigney near Coutances.

More History

The village eventually became three distinct manors. Etonbury with land to the north of Stotfold Road, reaching as far as Astwick, Arleseybury from land south of Stotfold Road to around where Howberry Green now is, and the manor of Lanthony from Howberry Green to the south of the parish. This manor was owned by a Welsh order of monks.
Around 1646 records show Sir Samuel Browne becoming principle landowner in the village having purchased Arlesey Manor (Etonbury) from John and Florence Farwell and it eventually passed to the Bedford Edwards family. The whole estate was split up and sold off in the late 1800’s. This period also saw the economic growth of the village with the excavation of coprolite (phosphate rich fossilised dung which was processed into artificial fertiliser) and clay for brick making.
The coming of the Great Northern Railway in 1851 saw further growth and the 2,000 feet of sidings along the GNR line exported over 1,500 tones of lime and ‘Eddystone’ cement from the village weekly, dug from the ‘Blue Lagoon’. Records also show that there were six operational brickworks in the village. During this period Robert Beart moved from Godmanchester to Arlesey and revolutionised brick making by using mechanical presses to shape the bricks. Previously the clay was puddled (usually with bare feet) and thrown into the brick mould. The wet brick was then carefully stacked into sheds to dry out the excess water before they were fired. This could be days or weeks depending on the weather. Bearts’ method enabled a brick to be pressed and then fired much more quickly.
The brickworks have now all closed but signs of them can be seen by the water filled pits at the Green Lagoon, at Arlesey landfill site and at Etonbury Farm on the A507 by-pass.
Relics from the monastic past can be seen at St Peter’s Church and on the (old) bridge over the River Hiz alongside Arlesey Railway Station. The original church of St Peter’s was constructed in 1180 by the monks of Etonbury Monastery. The river bridge is listed in a survey of the monastery in 1566 but dates from earlier times. The date stones on the cut waters show when the bridge was repaired.

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