The Chequers is a Grade II listed free house situated at a prominent fork in Cottenham, where it stands alongside the village war memorial.
While the building is approximately 300 years old, though the structure seen today is a result of a major rebuild roughly 189 years ago.
Operating independently and free of tie, the pub is currently owned by Greg Mould.
The establishment has entered a new chapter under the leadership of licensee Luca Gentile; having previously served as the house chef, Luca took over the licence in November 2024.
Today, The Chequers serves as a community hub, combining its historical character with a menu of classic dishes and wood-fired pizzas. With a dedicated garden for events, the pub continues its long tradition of creating lasting memories for the village of Cottenham.
About The Pub
Chronological History
18th Century: Early Origins
Early C18: The original structure was built, featuring a timber frame on a brick sill.
1729: Martha Morling, owner of a cottage on the site, was granted the first recorded liquor licence.
1753: Thomas Clarke served as the licensee.
1768: A record exists of a blacksmith, Robert Kimpton, assaulting Robert Stukings at the public house.
1781: John Chapman became licensee following the burial of Elizabeth Clarke of ‘ye Checker’.
19th Century: The Present Building & The Christmas Family
1812: Elizabeth Chapman held the licence.
1816: Steward Cotton brewers of Cambridge acquired the property and subsequently built the present premises.
1824: John Christmas became the licensee.
1837: John Christmas purchased the premises for £1,071. The "recently erected house" was described as having a parlour, tap room, club room, bar, 5 bedchambers, and a large yard with a stable and pump.
1841 – 1861: John Christmas managed the inn alongside a farm of up to 70 acres.
1863 – 1883: After the death of John Christmas, his son Edmund ran the house and brewery.
1878: A major fire (suspected arson) destroyed several neighbouring properties on Denmark Road; the Chequers site is noted in the accounts of the destruction.
1891: Norris William Vialls, a bricklayer and publican, took over the tenancy.
20th Century: Community & War Years
1901: Walter Ely became the licensee.
1905: Frederick Vialls operated an elegant carrier’s cart from the premises, transporting locals to Cambridge.
1912: Albert Furbank served as the licensee.
1921: The War Memorial, designed by Fred Bacchus, was unveiled at the fork in the road outside the pub.
1926: Harry Morgan became the licensee.
1939 – 1945: During WWII, the pub was owned by a friend of the Dyer family. Phyllis Rosemary Dyer, an evacuee from London, lived here before marrying local man Kenneth Hostler in 1942.
1949: A severe storm on 1st March blew down a chimney stack, which crashed through a bedroom floor.
1953 – 1988: Leadership passed through licensees Victor Carpenter (1953), Peter Barnes (1980), and David Wallace (1988).
21st Century: Modern Era
2013: Greg Mould purchased the building and became the current owner.
2024: Former house chef Luca Gentile became the licensee in November
