Great Bardfield Spring, Great Bardfield, England

## Overview Great Bardfield Spring is a charming public drinking spring located in the picturesque village of Great Bardfield in Essex, England. The water flows through a decorative lion's head spout set into a stone wall — a classic feature of traditional English village springs that hints at the spring's long history of community use. Great Bardfield itself is a well-known Essex village celebrated for its medieval heritage, timber-framed buildings, and artistic legacy (it was famously home to a colony of artists in the mid-20th century known as the "Great Bardfield Artists"). The spring sits at the heart of the village, adding to its quintessential English character. The spring is accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and has historically served as a communal water source for residents and visitors alike. While the water has been used as a drinking water source for generations, visitors should be aware that water quality can vary and no guarantees of potability can be made. ## Directions 1. Make your way to **Brook Street** in the village of Great Bardfield, Essex. 2. Head toward the village's distinctive **triangular junction** — a well-known landmark in the centre of the village. 3. At the corner of the triangular junction, look for the small **greensward** (a grassy open area). 4. The spring is located right next to the greensward, set into a stone wall with a **lion's head spout**. **GPS coordinates:** 51.948055, 0.438963 ## What to Expect The spring features a traditional lion's head carved into a stone wall, through which the water flows and can be collected. This type of ornamental spout is a hallmark of historic English village springs and makes for a lovely photo opportunity. The surrounding area is the heart of Great Bardfield — a quiet, well-maintained village with a timeless feel. The greensward beside the spring offers a pleasant spot to pause. The village itself is worth exploring, with its medieval church (St Mary the Virgin), historic cottages, and the Town Hall which occasionally hosts exhibitions related to the Great Bardfield Artists. The spring runs year-round and is freely accessible at all hours. There is no formal parking at the spring itself, but street parking is generally available along Brook Street and nearby village roads. The spring is at street level and easy to reach on foot from anywhere in the village centre.