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Miltons Cottage Sign

Chalfont-St Giles Sign

Chalfont-St Giles

Chenies Church

Chenies front view

Chenies Garden View

Jordans Quaker House

Old Amersham looking down towards the church

Around Chalfont St Giles

The Chiltern Hills | www.chilternsociety.org.uk

Walking tours in the Chiltern Hills are outstanding. The area is criss-crossed by a dense network of footpaths including the ancient Ridgeway path. There are, in addition, many fascinating and historic sites:

Chalfont St Giles | www.chalfontstgiles.org.uk

Chalfont St. Giles, with its duck pond, 18th century cottages and ancient High Street is a picturesque village on the edge of the Chilterns. The Parish Church, which stands on low ground close to the River Misbourne, was built between 1150 and 1180. In it can be seen 14th century wall paintings, rare 15th century painted battlements and a heavily-carved altar rail donated by Bishop Hare, one-time dean of St Paul's Cathedral. The half-timbered Stonewell Farm, on the corner of Bowstridge Lane and Deanway, was mentioned in the Domesday Book. Further up the Deanway is Milton's Cottage, occupied by the poet and Parliamentarian between the years 1665 and 1667.The first record of Chalfont occurs as Ceadeles funta (Ceadel's spring) as early as the year 949 AD.

Chiltern Open Air Museum | www.coam.org.uk

One mile north of Chalfont St Giles is a 19th century Farmyard and model village. The Museum was founded in 1976 with the aim of rescuing threatened buildings which are typical of the region. The collection includes a working nineteenth century farmyard and a village with its green, cottages, forge and chapel. In their appropriate settings the buildings, the artifacts they contain and the activities associated with them all illustrate the influences that have shaped the distinctive landscape of the Chilterns.

Jordans | www.quakers-chilterns-area.org.uk

A couple of miles south of the parish of St Giles is the Quaker village of Jordans www.jordans-quakers.org.uk. It was built in 1912 by a consortium which included architect Frederick Rowntree, a member of the famous Quaker family of York. As well as its picturesque village green, still the scene of lively cricket matches, Jordans boasts an historic Friends' Meeting House, built in 1688, with an adjoining cemetery in which lie the mortal remains of William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania, and his family. Close by is the Mayflower Barn, according to tradition built of old timbers taken from the ship "Mayflower" in which the Pilgrim Fathers sailed to America in 1620.

Amersham | www.amersham.org.uk

Probably more than any other similar small town in England Amersham preserves in the streets of the Old Town the same general appearance that it displayed during the 17th and 18th centuries. The origins of the town go back to pre Saxon times. The Doomsday Book listed Amersham as Elmodesham, with 6 manors, one belonging to the wife of Edward the Confessor. In 1200, King John granted the town a market and fair both of which are still held.

Martyrs' memorial

The Reformation had some roots in the town as several Lollards were condemned to death and burnt at the stake. This memorial on the hill above Amersham commemorates the event.

Chenies | www.cheniesmanorhouse.co.uk

This charming estate village overlooks the Chess valley. The historic Tudor Manor House is open to the public from the beginning of April to end October inclusive, every Wednesday & Thursday: 2.00 - 5.00pm.

Church of St Michael

Adjacent to the manor is the church of St. Michael, the village parish church, in regular use and venue for various activities. The present church dates from the late 15th and early 16th centuries, replacing the earlier, mainly wooden church dating from the 12th century when the village was known as Isenhampstead.

Beaconsfield | www.beaconsfield.co.uk

Another historically important market town on the A40 between London and Oxford. Bekonscot model village is the oldest model village in the world. www.bekonscot.com

Three Rivers Museum | www.trmt.org.uk

Basing House, Rickmansworth a former home of William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania. See the stone brought back from Pennsbury, his home on the Delaware River, presented by the PA Historical and Museum Commission.

Accommodation

The Bedford Arms Hotel

The Crown

  • 16 High Street
  • Amersham
  • 0870 4008103

Saracens Head Inn

  • Amersham
  • 01494 721958

The Ivy House

  • London Road
  • Chalfont St Giles
  • 01494 872 184

The Chequers

  • London Road
  • Amersham
  • 01494 727 866

The Kings Arms

  • Amersham
  • 01494 725 722

The Bellhouse Hotel

The Bull Hotel

  • Gerrards Cross
  • 01753 885 995

The White Hart

Youth Hostel

  • Welders Lane
  • Jordans
  • 0870 770 5886