Birchanger
Birchanger (/ˈbərtʃæŋər/) is a village in Essex, England, 3 km (1.9 mi) northeast of Bishop's Stortford and 25 km (16 mi) northwest of the county town, Chelmsford. The village is in the district of Uttlesford and the parliamentary constituency of Saffron Walden. There is a Parish Council.
| Birchanger | |
|---|---|
St Mary the Virgin Church, Birchanger | |
Birchanger Location within Essex | |
| Population | 1,589 (2011) |
| OS grid reference | TL513227 |
| Civil parish |
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| District |
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| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BISHOPS STORTFORD |
| Postcode district | CM23 |
| Dialling code | 01279 |
| Police | Essex |
| Fire | Essex |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| UK Parliament |
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The local CoE church of St Mary the Virgin, dating from the 12th century, is a Grade II* listed building.
The village lies close to London Stansted Airport, 3 km (1.9 mi) to the east, and is 2 km (1.2 mi) south of Stansted Mountfitchet. It is also the site of Birchanger Green services on the M11 motorway.
At the 2011 census, it had a population of 1,589.
In the 12th century, the village name in Old English was "Bircehangra", which means "wooded slope growing with birch trees". This name is still appropriate today as parts of Birchanger Wood still exist and contain many birch trees.