Now, the name. Where does “Pickle Cottage” come from? Is it a nod to the British love of pickled onions? Did the previous owner run a pickle-of-the-month club? Sadly, no. The name likely comes from the Old English word “piccel”, meaning a small enclosure or field. Boring, right?
But let’s be real: I prefer the theory that a medieval peasant once dropped a jar of pickles there and yelled, “This spot is forever cursed with my briny legacy!” The internet has actually run with this, and there are now memes about Pickle Cottage being guarded by a giant, angry cucumber. It’s not true, but it’s better than the truth.
Pickle Cottage Essex Where Is It at Raymond Eudy blog
What’s Inside? (And Can You Visit?)
Legally, you cannot just waltz into Pickle Cottage and ask Ed for a selfie. That’s called trespassing, and Ed’s security team—who are definitely trained in pickle-based combat—will escort you out. However, the cottage itself is a glorious jumble of thatched roofs, wonky wooden beams, and a garden so English it probably serves tea to the roses.
It also has a secret music studio underground. Ed reportedly recorded parts of his album - (Subtract) there, which means the world’s biggest pop star was singing sad songs literally under a pile of dirt. That’s either tragic or hilarious, depending on how you feel about slow acoustic ballads.
