The Drawingroom

This place is simply magical. Run with love by entrepreneur and owner Richard Elkington, a consummate networker who makes everyone feel welcome, young and old.

It's my favourite music and arts venue locally and wonderful for meet-ups, whether personal or business.

Richard has a wide variety of events taking place, with art in abundance, regular gigs, a writing group, a book group, backgammon and on Thursday mornings it becomes "Ivan's Home" as a tribute to Richard's brother which is aimed at people who want to meet other people in the community, or those who might feel lonely or isolated. Cakes, tea and coffee are available and Becky Willoughby, a friendly Counsellor is present if you want to chat.

The food is lovely, the coffee excellent, the staff welcoming and it's far superior to the corporate chains which litter Chesham. Do yourself a favour and discover this gem of a place

Personally I cannot stand this place, although to be fair some of my friends love it.


The concept of a relaxed but classy cafe cum art gallery in the centre of Chesham is a good one, but this place just doesn't deliver. The food is mediocre at best, but often pretty revolting; and more disturbingly one is confronted by the 'art' wherever you look.


I'm no prude, but the art here is essentially women, naked, and LOTS of them. Everywhere you look there are pudenda and breasts gazing back at you!


OK, nothing wrong with the naked body, it's often very beautiful, but to be this obsessed with naked women hints at a bit of a problem to me. Why isn't there any other art? Why are there no naked male models? Why do I have to look at these boobs and genitalia for an hour whilst eating my lunch??


Well actually no I don't, do I, so once been never go back in my case - see what you think!

This is an adorable, quiet restaurant hidden down a cobbled lane in Chesham that offers a wide variety of tasty food. I've eaten here several times and never disappointed. It has lovely tapas alongside traditional English dishes and supports local trade which is always a plus. SO much more interesting than the average chain restaurant with tonnes of character. The owner is very often there too and always happy to tell you about upcoming events he's hosting there. Ooo and don't miss the awesome Turkish inspired room upstairs.

Unsolicited emails and letters from around the world: Many people go there purely for peace and tranquillity in a busy world. Not to mention the music that has given hundreds of people such enjoyment. Barbara RichardsonCOPAG ChairmanChesham Over50s Positive Action GroupThe Drawingroom has created an open, creativity-encouraging space for all artists and musicians and all other people too. It has improved the quality of life in the community in Chesham. The Drawing Room is one of the best features of Chesham, it is where I take all my visitors.Janna Land-HunekeEven more importantly is that the Drawing Room promotes Chesham in a very positive light. Our lives are in these times virtually dominated by violence, corruption and greed but there is a little sanctuary and Chesham is the lucky town in which this sanctuary is found yes, it is the Drawing Room. Eve Nicol Places like the Drawing Room have a profound impact on the Chesham community in general. The Drawing Room attracts intelligent, intellectual, and basically just 'good' people who want to spend time in a communal atmosphere. The Drawing Room very much 'raises the bar' for the other establishments in the area.George SibleyThe Drawingroom has over many years now, provided a place of enjoyment and relaxation for many local people. Its growing reputation as a centre for music and arts in the Chilterns is richly deserved. As the recent winning of the Mayoral Business Award shows, the Drawingroom is a prize asset for the town of Chesham. Colin CartwrightMinister, Trinity Baptist Church The Drawingroom is not just a cafe Richard does not broadcast the excellent community work he has done and International FundraisingGillian Garratt-resident He is seen as strong a pillar of the community and a supporter of The Big Society especially within Chesham. Mr. Elkington is not the normal hard nosed businessman in fact he is quite the opposite but he is very passionate about improving the quality of life in Chesham which makes The Drawing Room so unique. He won The Mayoral Award for Business 2008. Jane Carling-resident This place provides a welcoming environment for everyone, as well as a venue for other events such as music and well-being discussion groups.Jason & Emma Page-resident I have known Richard for some time and over the years I have seen him transform what was a neglected and rundown yard in our town centre, Francis Yard, into a venue that as a cafe/restaurant is a picturesque and tranquil haven amid the bustle of a shopping centre. Furthermore, as a centre of art and music, the Drawing Room is both vibrant and creative and has put Chesham very much on the cultural map. I think I speak for many people, not only residents of Chesham, but all who love art and musicJean Hatton-residentI have had the good fortune to happen upon the Drawingroom on one of my frequent visits to England. It is a charming and wonderful place and does much to enhance the little town of Chesham. Karen Heaps Vancouver I believe Richard has done a great job in helping to make visiting Chesham a really pleasant experienceLes Payne MusicianRichard has created a unique sanctuary, a haven for people where there is little community.Lesley Manning-resident to promote the Drawing Room as the fine cultural venue that it has become. Lisa Conisbee visitorit gives a sense of community to the town as well as bringing in people from all over the place to enjoy music and conversation together. Louise Webber-residentWe regularly report his events and gigs. Indeed your editor was privileged to be Mayor when the Drawingroom was awarded the 2008 Mayoral Award for Business. Richard enabled a later mayor, Cllr Justine Fulford to hold her inauguration party there in 2009. Richard has welcomed and encouraged young musicians and new businessesMerrin Molesworth Editor Chiltern Voice and former MayorRichard Elkington has made a place that is welcoming and has captured the hearts of the people of Chesham. It has improved the environment, provided a unique retail premises and added a huge amount to the appeal of Chesham as a town. It is a subsistence business that provides a valuable service to Chesham. Mick Carling-resident & Chairman and Founder of Better Chesham (Integrated business action community group)I believe the whole Drawingroom and laneway has been an integral heart for 'COMMUNITY'. Thanks to Richard. I have known Richard on my visits to your lovely 'VILLAGE' ( I use the word deliberately because it's The drawingroom 'Community' and Laneway which helps earn the 'Village' it's title) Richard is a rare and valuable treasure to your area and what it stands for He, with his hard work, dedication to others interest and his honesty and integrity have in cricket terms put 'Many runs on the board'. Some things can't be disputed This man is a rare 'Gem' he needs your encouragement. What he is doing and has done for Chesham, its people and surrounds, needs to continue. I genuinely believe he is

An amazing place... so chilled out, lovely coffee, fabulous food - quite simply the loveliest cafe I've ever been to. My son loves it, there really is nowhere else quite like it.