Q: How far is Bonningtons from Stansted airport and how much will a taxi cost. A: We are approximately 3 miles from the airport and 4 miles from the Terminal building, the transfer time to Bonningtons is around 10 minutes. The taxi fare is between 10 - 14, Checkers Cars contact number is 01279 661111. Q: Are there any other ways of getting to Bonningtons. A: Yes, there is bus service called the village link, this runs from the airport and to Bishops Stortford (from around 07:00 until 21:00), the fare is approximately 1.70 per person, the bus stop is on the main road near to the George pub around 75 metres from Bonningtons. Q: How far is Bonningtons from the nearest railway station. A: We are less than 2 miles from Bishops Stortford station. A taxi from the train station to Bonningtons typically costs around 4 pounds. The train service runs from London Liverpool Street and usually takes around 35 minutes. For more information tickets etc see the. Q: How do I find my way to Bonningtons, Little Hallingbury (Tel 01279 507472). A: See the page. Q: Do you offer long term parking A: Yes see. Q: What are your opening hours (check in and check out). A: We are open from 16:00, see below, you must vacate your room by 11:00. Q: What if we are arriving late, after 22:00. A: We have special arrangements where you can gain access to the rooms, you will be allocated a room number. All the rooms have the room number on the door and are located in 'The Coachhouse' our converted barn which is at the rear of the main house. Q: Do your rooms comply with the latest government regulations. A: Unlike most other BBs all our rooms are fully en-suite with. They are all located in our period barn which has been converted with advice from the local historic building authorities, and also complies with the latest goverment specifications regarding sound, fire and energy (i.e. to a Hotel standard). Q: How do the transfers operate. A: The transfer service is available between 07:00 until 11:00 and then between 16:00 until 21:00. Outside of these times we will arrange for you to be transfered or collected by taxi, we may agree to pay something towards these costs, however this does depend on the room price paid and other circumstances, this must be agreed at time of booking. In order to arrange to be collected, you should make sure that you are in possession of your baggage, then call us on 01279 507472 or mobile 07815 704830, we will then arrange to collect you after around 15-20 minutes. See below for large parties or unusual circumstances, Please note that this is a best efforts service, in some circumstances our vehicle maybe on another run or not available particularily if you have unusual circumstances. Q: Do you accept credit cards. Y: We do accept Barclaycard/Visa/Solo/Switch, we do not accept Diners Club or American Express Q: Is there anywhere to eat. A: is adjacent to Bonningtons, this has lunchtime/evening meals. We do have an arrangement where our guests are usually accommodated, however to fully guarantee a table we recommend that you book by calling them on +44 (0)1279 653900. Q: Do you have an Internet connection. A: Yes we have a Free Broadband connection together with a wireless access point for guests use. Q: How do I get to Bonningtons from Heathrow airport. A: The easiest way is to catch the coach from Heathrow to Stansted airport, the journey time is around 90 minutes. Q: What does ensuite mean. A: All rooms have their own bathroom, with sink, toilet, and either a bath or power shower. Q: Do you provide childrens cots or car seats. A: We are unable to provide these. We recommend you bring your own travel cot or car seat, please note that we cannot allow babies in our vehicle unless you provide a car seat (for insurance purposes and it is against UK law). Q: Do you allow smoking. A: All rooms and the breakfast lounge are non smoking, you can smoke outside. Q: Do you accept pets. A: Yes, by prior arrangement only. Q: What type of linen do you use for bedding. A: We use white cotton linen, we also have feather pillows, for a non allergenic option please advise when booking. Q: How does breakfast operate. A: Breakfast is continental, self service, and available in our breakfast lounge, at anytime 24x7. Q: What is your cancellation policy. A: See our page Q: What happens with the transfer service if we are arriving or leaving seperately. A: Each booking is normally entitled to one transfer in each direction only. In some circumstances if one of the transfers is from the local train station then we may agree to a multiple transfer. Please advise on booking. Q: What if we are a large party (greater than 4 individuals). A: In these circumstances you will not qualify for our transfer service, and we will only pay for the taxi transfer if it is outside of our operating hours. Q: What counts as a family for the family suite booking. A: This is one or two adults and children that are under 16 years of age, otherwise this will revert to a two room price i.e. two double rooms with 4 adults.

The History The precise age of Bonningtons is not known, however first records originate from the early 1600s so it is likely that the house pre-dates this by a few years indicating a very late 16th century or early 17th century property. It is now a Grade II listed building with a number of key listed features. Records are not precise but at some stage the property was aquired by the Houblon's Hallingbury estate. Bonningtons itself was reportedly the home of the 'Estate Manager'. The estate itself also included Hatfield Forest. It was Jacob Houblon that created the current lake to be found in the centre of the forest, some time around 1740. Jacobs son further enhanced the estate and forest around 1770 with the consultation of the famous landscaper 'Capability Brown' adding further exotic trees and some areas opened up to improve the views, the lake itself was laos altered at this time. The most famous member of the houblon family was Sir John Houblon, who was the first active Governor of the Bank of England, his picture can be found on the reverse of the current 50 note. Unfortunately during the late 1800s there was a decline in the fortunes of the Houblon family, and they departed Hallingbury for their other family estate in Welford Berkshire in 1909. Hallingbury place was let out briefly but in 1922 it was pulled down. In 1923 the estate was broken up and it was at this point that Boningtons was originally sold. After this time the property was surrounded by orchards and had a great deal of land to either side, however over the years much of this has been parcelled of and sold. The Legend There is a local legend that The George pub and Bonningtons had a secret passage between the two. However investigations by ourselves, previous owners and and Andrew at 'The George' have so far failed to uncover anything. Bonningtons BB - The Project We specifically purchased Bonningtons with the full intention of setting up as a BB. In fact we had spent the previous 2 years looking for the right sort of property in the right location. Both my wife and I originate locally so we have a wealth of local area knowledge, and at one stage our daughter was a pupil at our local village school. So in early 2001 the project began, we initially had permission to run a couple of rooms in the main house, but the master plan was the barn conversion. In previous years there were two barns situated in the surrounding orchard, but one was in such bad repair that it did not survive and a swimming pool now sits where it was located. Once permission from Uttlesford council had been given, conversion work commenced in late 2002, and the project itself took around 18 months as certain limitations were imposed due to the historical listing of the house and barn. Bonningtons Today The BB is all now located in our converted barn. We are located 3 miles from the airport itself and a transfer to/from the terminal takes around 10 minutes in a car or taxi. We are located on a typical English village green 'George Green' with all three bordering propeties of a similar age/nature. Directly opposite Bonningtons is the George pub where you can relax and sample some traditional English home cooking. Most of our clients are travelling through Stansted airport and we have specifically geared our BB to cater for these clients, although of course other types of guests are more than welcome. The rooms all have their own full en-suite facilities, not just a shower or sink placed in the corner of the room. The rooms are tastefully furnished, each room has either a wooden or wrought iron bed, covered with luxury cotton bedding/bedspreads. We are able to provide continental breakfast at anytime in our recently converted Breakfast Lounge, when we state Bed and Breakfast at a price we mean it! By arranging all the rooms to have their own entrance we have an ability for guest to come and go at anytime day or night. We also provide a free transfer to/from the airport and local railway station, with a specific vehicle that can accommodate large or unusual items of luggage. Most of the rooms have full power showers that utilise the very latest continental pressurised system, so not a dribbling electric showers with low water pressure, even so we recognise that some clients prefer a bath so please indicate if you have any preference when booking. All of the rooms comply with fire regulations, with the same centralised system as found in hotel accommodation, including full emergency exit lighting. The rooms also comply with all the latest government regulations on sound transmission between rooms and have been independantly tested as such. We have full external dusk to dawn sensored lighting, (this is also specifically low energy), so no stumbling around in the dark when you have that early morning departure. So next time you are considering a Stansted based Bed and Breakfast, remember to ask yourself about some of the specifics listed above, and in particular think about your own personal safety. On a final note, we hope you have a great stay with us at Bonningtons.

 Breakfast may be served in the room
 Clothes dry cleaning
 Currency exchange service
 Dinner may be served in the room
 Facsimile services
 Garage places
 Hairdryer
 Heating
 Access to internet
 Ironing facilities
 Laundry services/washing machine
 Smoke-free guest rooms
 Pets are accepted
 Parking lot
 Private park, garden, courtyard
 Swimming pool
 Tea and coffee making facilities
 Phone at reception
 TV sets in rooms
 Patio, summer terrace
 Cheques accepted
 Common room with a TV set