The Bluebell Inn can be found in the picturesque, North Essex village of Hempstead, on the B1054 between the historic town of Saffron Walden and the village of Steeple Bumpstead, close to the Suffolk border.

The Bluebell is a family run business offering a good selection of real ales, fine wines and traditional home cooked food.

The Stokes family took over The Bluebell after being closed for 18 months. The premises were completely refurbished and re-opened in May 2003.

We offer the ambience and simplicity of a traditional English Country Pub. As well as a spacious bar, we have a separate dining room, cosy snug and garden room, each room with welcoming log fires in the winter.

Outside there are 3 patio areas on different levels, leading to spacious gardens with a fenced children’s play area and an ample car park. There is a grassed area to the front of the pub with more picnic tables and further off road parking.

We are able to offer facilities for private parties, birthdays, weddings etc. social events or business meetings.

Our dining room seats up to 40 people. For a smaller gathering our garden room can seat between 10 and 20. For a larger event there is space for a marquee in the garden.

We offer full catering facilities from breakfast, morning coffee and light lunches to afternoon teas, buffets or a full evening dinner.

The Grade II-listed Bluebell Inn has a history which lives up to its charming and rustic appearance. Parts having been laid down as early as the 16th Century, the inn is known to have served as the birthplace of the infamous Dick Turpin – notorious highway robber and accomplice of the Gregory Gang.

The pub has been known under many guises over its centuries of history, from The Bell, The Rose and Crown, Dick Turpin’s Restaurant and finally the The Bluebell Inn.

One Richard Turpin was baptised in the village of Hempstead on the 21 September 1705 and lived in this inn - where the music sessions are held!