About The Chequers Restaurant

These records can be found in our restaurant above the entrance.

In 1645
According to the deeds, a copy of which is to be found in the county records office in Hertford, the building which was said to be situated in Frogmore End, Stotfold together with some land was sold in this year by Richard Ford to Ralph Battle Clerk for £180

In 1799
The house is first called by its name in the deeds. The entry reads "an ale house situated and being in Stotfold in the county of Bedford by the sign of The Chequers."

In 1804
In this year the building is referred to as a public house called by name of sign of "The Chequers." Robert Smith (we think Williams Smiths father, see 1876) sold the tenement and public house to Jaine Ind of Baldock, Brewery (later to become Priors and then Simpsons Brewery).

In 1876
1st May license granted to William Smith by owner Simpson & Co, Baldock (as a licensed purveyor of Spirits). William Smith is Sharon's (landlady today, great, great, great, great grandfather).

In 1900
Two sisters called Nellie and Lizzie Smith were licensees which kept them busy, but alas only three men at a time were allowed at the bar at any one time. Whispered Nellie to Lizzie "we'll keep them afar because we want to remain misses." Lizzie Smith (Daughter to William Smith) Licenseed/Tied house (Simpson & Co, Baldock) situated - Queens Street - 260yds from nearest licence house. State for repair - good.

In 1930
In a building Adjacent to the Chequers (now the main restaurant), anyone killed in an accident would be taken there in a coffin with the inquest held at the Chequers.

Rumour has it, that there is a secret passage under the floor in the main restauarant leading to St Mary's Parish Church. This is thought to be used for the transportation of the coffins.

In 1925
The Chequers appears on the Ordinance Survey map as a Inn.

About Stotfold

The name of Stotfold is thought to have been derived from the practice of northern cattle drovers breaking their journey at this point along the A1 Great North Road and penning their cattle (stots) in enclosures (folds) before continuing their journeys southwards.

The Archaeological team of Bedfordshire County Council have found traces of long forgotten settlements around the outskirts of today's Town. These bear witness to the fact that people settled with their families and animals on land in this area as long ago as the Stone Age, approx. 2700BC.

The River Ivel, which runs through the Town, was probably a great factor in the decision to settle and in later years the Great North Road linking the South with the North ensured continuing inhabitation. The Doomsday Book of 1086 records STOTFALT as having a population of 200.

The Stotfold of today is a small town situated in the south east of Bedfordshire, close to the border with Hertfordshire.
The Town extends over an area of 2207 acres making this a large parish. The present population amounts to some 7,600 people of which 4874 are of adult age.

Many of the buildings around the town bear witness to the Stotfold of Yesteryear:
The oldest surviving building is St Mary's Parish Church which dates back to Norman times and still contains traces of its traditional architecture.
Randall's Mill, though now damaged by fire, dates back to the Industrial era of the 1800's. The Mill is being restored to its former working glory by a group of local residents who have formed the Stotfold Mill Preservation Trust.

Many of the old cottages around the town date back to a gentler time when you can imagine the annual Stotfold Feast being held on the Village Green. The Green is now in the ownership of the Town Council and the date of the Stotfold Feast, the first Friday after the second Monday in July, is still marked by a fun fair.

Stotfold Cemetery dates back to 1898 and the Town Council and residents are justly proud of the sympathetic way it has been landscaped and it' tidy condition.

The best way to explore the beauty of old Stotfold and the surrounding countryside is on foot and pamphlets on walks are available from the Town Council Offices.