The Essex village of Theydon Bois — pronounced “boys” — has fewer than 2,000 homes, yet its inhabitants appear hyperactive, with a strong sense of community. Maybe it’s all that fresh air.

Austin Davies, 10, is a year five pupil at Theydon Bois Primary School and on Saturday (May 19) he will meet 12 other finalists to battle it out in the last round of the National School Top Trumps ...

Importantly, Theydon Bois has two well-respected pubs: The Bull, a 17th century inn serving food and real ale, as well as the Queen Victoria, an old-school pub where you can enjoy meals in its ...