A treasure in the North Essex Countryside

ESSEX LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE 2021

The History of Petersfield Village

Petersfield was originally a working farm, and Petersfield Village as we know it today came into fruition in 2005. It was officially opened by TV celebrity and antiques expert Tim Wonnacott.

At the time, the village consisted of 12 original shops, including a hardware store, a drapery, several antique shops, and a mirror and fireplace store, along with cabinets displaying a variety of antiques and collectables.

The building that now houses the café was originally a stable for four Shire horses, while the barns that now contain the shops were once used to store grain and farming equipment.

From the beginning, the village enjoyed a busy café that quickly became the heart of the community.

After several successful years, the centre changed hands and was renamed Gosfield Shopping Village. Further changes in management followed, and the village later welcomed a farm shop and an animal feeds barn, which continued to operate until a couple of years ago.

Unfortunately, over time the site began to look run down, the café closed, and it became clear that significant changes were needed.

In February 2022, Huskop Commercial Management took over the running of the village. Since then, they have invested — and continue to invest — time and money into restoring the village as a welcoming destination for families to visit.

Robert Fox has since opened “Fox in the Stables” Tea Rooms, offering a wide variety of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free treats for everyone to enjoy. The garden area also features children’s tables, Sally the Triceratops, and giant Jenga for younger visitors.

In November 2022, a brand-new area of the village was created. Named “The Emporium,” it features twenty additional display cabinets, a new shop, and nine floor spaces dedicated to furniture, mirrors, and other eclectic items. This addition has brought a whole new dimension to the village.

Regular events are now held at Petersfield, including a weekly summer boot sale. You can keep up to date with upcoming events by following the link below.