DOCSLIB.ORG

Northamptonshire Archaeology

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Northamptonshire Archaeology A b _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Northamptonshire Archaeology An Archaeological Watching Brief At The SAS Institute Medmenham, Buckinghamshire July 2001 – June 2002 Mark Holmes January 2005 Report 05/13 ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Northamptonshire Archaeology 2 Bolton House Wootton Hall Park Northampton NN4 8BE w. www.northantsarchaeology.co.uk t. 01604 700493/4 f. 01604 702822 e. [email protected] SAS INSTITUTE, MEDMENHAM STAFF Project Manager Steve Parry MA MIFA Text Mark Holmes MA Fieldwork Mark Holmes Steve Hayward BA Peter Masters BA HND PIFA Illustrations Hari Anne Jacklin MA Mark Holmes QUALITY CONTROL Print name Signed Date Checked by Steve Parry Verified by Pat Chapman Approved by Andy Chapman Northamptonshire Archaeology Report 05/013 SAS INSTITUTE, MEDMENHAM OASIS REPORT FORM PROJECT DETAILS Project title An Archaeological Watching Brief At The SAS Institute, Medmenham, Buckinghamshire. Short description An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by (250 words maximum) Northamptonshire Archaeology during groundworks connected with construction of new offices and associated sports facilities of the SAS Institute, Medmenham, Buckinghamshire. Scattered pits were found at various locations within the grounds, one of which produced a small quantity of Iron Age pottery. Project type Watching brief Previous work Archaeological Desk Top Assessment (Higgins 1998) (reference to organisation Archaeological Trial Trenching CAS 1999.37 or SMR numbers etc) (Northamptonshire Archaeology 1998). Future work Unknown (yes, no, unknown) Monument type Hillfort, Iron Age and period Military, Modern Significant finds Worked Flint, Prehistoric (artefact type and period) Pottery, Iron Age PROJECT LOCATION County Buckinghamshire Site address SAS Institute, Henley Road, Medmenham, Marlow, (including postcode) Bucks, SL7 2EB Easting (use 2-numeral 1817 100km grid square no.) Northing 4846 Height OD PROJECT CREATORS Organisation Northamptonshire Archaeology Project brief originator Bucks County Archaeological Service Project Design originator Northamptonshire Archaeology Director/Supervisor Mark Holmes Project Manager Steve Parry Sponsor or funding body Costain Ltd PROJECT DATE Start date July 2001 End date June 2002 ARCHIVES Location Content (eg pottery, animal bone (Accession no.) etc) Physical Pottery, flint, burnt clay, bone. Paper Sections, plans, record forms, colour slides, B&W contacts. Digital None BIBLIOGRAPHY Title Serial title & volume Author(s) Page numbers Northamptonshire Archaeology Report 05/013 SAS INSTITUTE, MEDMENHAM Contents 1 INTRODUCTION 2 BACKGROUND 3 OBJECTIVES AND METHODOLOGY 4 THE RECORDED EVIDENCE 5 CONCLUSIONS BIBLIOGRAPHY APPENDICES A1 The worked flint by Andy Chapman A2 The Iron Age pottery by Andy Chapman A3 The fired ceramic by Andy Chapman Figures Fig 1: Site location Fig 2: Location of features Fig 3: Features [01], [05], [07], [09] Fig 4: Feature [03] Fig 5: Sections Plates Plate 1: Modern disturbance to the north of the hillfort ramparts Plate 2: Pit [03] Plate 3: Pit [05] Plate 4: Pit [07] Plate 5: Pit [09] Plate 6: Pits [05], [07], [09] looking south-west Plate 7: Top of icehouse exposed during groundworks Northamptonshire Archaeology Report 05/13 Page 1 of 7 SAS INSTITUTE, MEDMENHAM AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL WATCHING BRIEF AT THE SAS INSTITUTE MEDMENHAM, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE July 2001 – June 2002 ABSTRACT An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Northamptonshire Archaeology during groundworks connected with construction of new offices and associated sports facilities for the SAS Institute, Medmenham, Buckinghamshire. Scattered pits were found at various locations within the grounds, one of which produced a small quantity of Iron Age pottery. 1 INTRODUCTION Northamptonshire Archaeology carried out an archaeological watching brief during groundworks connected with construction of new offices and sports facilities for the SAS Institute, Medmenham, Buckinghamshire (NGR SU 817846: Fig 1). The work was undertaken on behalf of Brocklehurst Architects acting for their client Costain Ltd in order to fulfil the requirements of a brief for archaeological works issued by the Buckinghamshire County Archaeological Service on the 7 June 2001. An accompanying watching brief was also maintained during associated works within part of the adjacent hillfort known as Danesfield Camp (Scheduled Ancient Monument No 27156). This watching brief was undertaken under the terms of Scheduled Monument Consent issued by the Department for Media Culture and Sport. 2 BACKGROUND 2.1 Location and Topography The development area comprised c 20ha of land located within the grounds of the former RAF Medmenham and bounded by the A4155 road to the north and west (Fig 1). The SAS Institute and Danesfield Hotel are situated at the east and south respectively. The ground slopes very gently to the south towards the River Thames, which lies c 350m away, and the underlying geology comprises plateau gravels. Overlooking the River Thames is the large multivallate, Iron Age Hillfort of Danesfield Camp. Parts of the hillfort's northern ramparts encroach into the area as surviving Northamptonshire Archaeology Report 05/13 Page 2 of 7 SAS INSTITUTE, MEDMENHAM earthworks, but were unaffected by the development. However, a former sewage treatment plant within the hillfort’s interior was decommissioned as part of the work. 2.2 Archaeological Background An archaeological evaluation comprising desk-based assessment and trial trenching was carried out prior to development (Higgins 1998, NA1998). The desk-based assessment showed that the development area was originally part of a medieval estate. Following a division of the estate in the mid 17th century, a succession of residences was built on the site. The location of the earliest of these (`Medlycotts') is unknown although it may lie in the same place as its successors (`Danesfield House' I and II) whose position, along with ancillary buildings, is marked on 19th century maps of the area. Danesfield II included the addition of a chapel designed by Augustus Pugin and finished by his son in c 1853. The building survived until c 1901 when the final demolition took place and Danesfield was rebuilt to the south of its predecessors within the interior of the hillfort (Higgins op cit, 4.3). The subsequent trial trenching identified truncated structural remains belonging to Danesfield House, as well as those of a contemporary icehouse. Scattered pits and ditches of probable Iron Age date were also revealed. A further watching brief was undertaken within the Hillfort during a programme of test-pitting, but no archaeological features were present (NA 1999). 3 OBJECTIVES AND METHODOLOGY The aims of the watching brief were: 1) To identify, record and investigate any prehistoric remains affected by the development in order to establish their character date and extent. Particular attention would be paid to possible outworks associated with the hillfort. 2) To record any remains of the post-medieval manor revealed by the development. To achieve these aims, the groundworks in five specific areas were archaeologically monitored (Fig 2): 1) Car parks to the east and south of the phase 1 building 2) Associated access roads 3) Cricket pitch 4) Estate compound 5) Contaminated ground adjacent to the hillfort Northamptonshire Archaeology Report 05/13 Page 3 of 7 SAS INSTITUTE, MEDMENHAM A watching brief was also maintained during works within the bounds of the Scheduled Ancient Monument of the hillfort. Within these areas the removal of soil above the natural geology was undertaken using a mechanical excavator fitted with a toothless ditching bucket and supervised by an archaeologist. Where archaeological features were revealed these were cleaned by hand and then sampled and recorded. A location plan of the features was drawn at 1:200 and related to the Ordnance Survey National Grid. A photographic and written record was maintained for all observations throughout the development. 4 THE RECORDED EVIDENCE 4.1 The development area Observation of soil stripping throughout the development area revealed the following general stratigraphic sequence: the undisturbed natural geology comprised orange gravels; over this lay a grey loam subsoil, up to 300mm, deep containing frequent gravel and natural flint inclusions. The topsoil across the site was a mid grey loam, between 120mm and 200mm thick. All archaeological features were cut into the natural gravel geology and sealed by the subsoil. The exception to this general stratigraphic sequence occurred in the area immediately north of the hillfort. Here, extensive areas of modern rubbish dumps, some at least 0.90m deep, lay immediately beneath the topsoil (Plate 1). The material included 19th and early 20th - century ceramics, glass bottles, building material, a cow burial and other detritus set within a dark black humic soil. Similar material was found during the earlier evaluation of the area when it was interpreted as infilling of 20th-century quarry pits (NA 1998, 4.3). Elsewhere, observation of the groundworks revealed a total of five possible pits: Pit [01] (Fig 3, Fig 5 Section 1) An isolated, small circular pit or posthole, 0.40m diameter and 0.20m deep. It had a flat base and rounded sides and was filled with brown sandy clay with frequent gravel inclusions. There were no finds. Pit [03] (Fig 4, Fig 5 Section 2, Plate 2) A pit,
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Celebrate in Buckinghamshire
    Celebratein Buckinghamshire CIVIL MARRIAGES • CIVIL PARTNERSHIPS • RENEWAL OF VOWS COMMITMENT CEREMONIES • NAMING CEREMONIES • CITIZENSHIP CEREMONIES 1 Welcome Firstly, many congratulations on your www.graciousphotography.com forthcoming celebrations. We are delighted that you have chosen the beautiful and charming county of Buckinghamshire for your ceremony. We have over 80 wonderful licensed venues and four marriage rooms within our Register Offices conveniently located throughout the county offering you great flexibility and choice. This publication has been created to help guide you through the legal formalities and personal choices in planning your special day. Our experienced and professional staff will do everything they can to ensure that your ceremony is everything you would wish it to be and becomes a lasting and wonderful memory for you and your guests. Buckinghamshire Registration Service Published by: Buckinghamshire Registration Service, Buckinghamshire Register Office, County Hall, Aylesbury HP20 1XF 01296 383005 [email protected] www.weddings.buckscc.gov.uk Designed and produced by Crystal Publications Ltd. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited without the written consent of the publisher. Whilst every care has been taken in compiling this publication, Buckinghamshire County Council and the Registration Service cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies, nor guarantee or endorse any of the products or the services advertised. All information is correct at the time of going to print. © 2018 G G Cover
    [Show full text]
  • Northamptonshire Archaeology
    Northamptonshire Archaeology Archaeological Watching Brief at SAS Institute, Medmenham Buckinghamshire Accession No. AYBCM: 2008.210 Susan Stratton and Leon Field January 2009 Report 08/186 Northamptonshire Archaeology 2 Bolton House Wootton Hall Park Northampton NN4 8BE t. 01604 700493 f. 01604 702822 e. [email protected] w. www.northantsarchaeology.co.uk SAS INSTITUTE, MEDMENHAM STAFF Project Manager W.A. Boismer BA, MPhil, MA, PhD, MIFA Text Susan Stratton BA Leon Field BA/BCom Fieldwork Susan Stratton Leon Field Illustrations Leon Field QUALITY CONTROL Print name Signed Date Checked by Pat Chapman Verified by W.A. Boismer Approved by Andy Chapman Northamptonshire Archaeology Report 08/186 SAS INSTITUTE, MEDMENHAM OASIS REPORT FORM PROJECT DETAILS Project name The SAS Institute, Medmenham, Buckinghamshire. Short description An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Northamptonshire (250 words maximum) Archaeology during groundworks connected with construction of a new cricket pavilion at the SAS Institute, Medmenham, Buckinghamshire. Excavations revealed the area had been subject to extensive disturbance possibly related to the 20th- century RAF base, but no other archaeological features were uncovered. Project type Watching brief (eg DBA, evaluation etc) Site status None (none, NT, SAM etc) Previous work Archaeological Desk Top Assessment (Higgins 1998) (SMR numbers etc) Archaeological Trial Trenching CAS 1999.37 (NA). Archaeological watching brief 1999. (NA) Archaeological Watching Brief 2001-2002 (NA) Current Land use Open field Future work Yes, Development of cricket pavilion (yes, no, unknown) Monument type/ period Military, Modern Significant finds None (artefact type and period) PROJECT LOCATION County Buckinghamshire Site address SAS Institute, Henley Road, Medmenham, Marlow, Bucks, SL7 2EB (including postcode) Study area (sq.m or ha) 150 sq.
    [Show full text]
  • Christmas Brochure 2019 No Opera.Pdf
    2 | Winter 2019 History of the House Danesfield House that we see today was completed in 1901 as a family home for Robert William Hudson. The house is the third property to have been built within this glorious setting, amidst 65 acres of formal gardens with outstanding views over the River Thames and the Chiltern Hills beyond. Robert Hudson had inherited his fortune from his father Robert Spear Hudson, the Victorian soap magnate, and manufacturers of “Sunlight” soap. His first determination was to rebuild the property and employed to assist the build in the style of the Italian Renaissance was Romaine Walker, FRIBA. The house was finished with such disregard of expense that it became an architectural show place, faced with locally quarried rock chalk with imposing terraced gardens overlooking the river. Originally some 4,000 years ago, the site was reputed to have been a resting place of nomadic tribes who paused to hunt nearby land and fish in the then untamed river. If you stand on the crest of the bank between the present house and the river and look west there is a steep ravine directly in front of you which is the remnant of the ramparts of a prehistoric fortification. Because of the ample game and the discovery of flint within the chalk-based cliffs, the site became a settlement throughout the ages and although not named “Danesfield” until many years later, this name originated from the Danish adventurer who made an encampment here. The next recollection of the estate is the transfer of land ownership in 1664 to an Edmund and Margaret Medleycott, they built what is assumed to be the first property on the site, known at that time as “Medleycotts” and there they lived with son James for over 60 years.
    [Show full text]
  • “Spring Is When Life's Alive in Everything” Christina Rossetti
    Spring 2019 “Spring is when life’s alive in everything” Christina Rossetti History of the House Danesfield House that we see today was completed in 1901 as a family home for Robert William Hudson. The house is the third property to have been built within this glorious setting, amidst 65 acres of formal gardens with outstanding views over the River Thames and the Chiltern Hills beyond. Robert Hudson had inherited his fortune from his father Robert Spear Hudson, the Victorian soap magnate, and manufacturers of “Sunlight” soap. His first determination was to rebuild the property and employed to assist the build in the style of the Italian Renaissance was Romaine Walker, FRIBA. The house was finished with such disregard of expense that it became an architectural show place, faced with locally quarried rock chalk with imposing terraced gardens overlooking the river. Originally some 4,000 years ago, the site was reputed to have been a resting place of nomadic tribes who paused to hunt nearby land and fish in the then untamed river. If you stand on the crest of the bank between the present house and the river and look west there is a steep ravine directly in front of you which is the remnant of the ramparts of a prehistoric fortification. Because of the ample game and the discovery of flint within the chalk based cliffs, the site became a settlement throughout the ages and although not named “Danesfield” until many years later, this name originated from the Danish adventurers who made an encampment here. The next recollection of the estate is the transfer of land ownership in 1664 to an Edmund and Margaret Medlycott, they built what is assumed to be the first property on the site, known at that time as “Medlycotts” and there they lived with son James for over 60 years.
    [Show full text]
  • Spring Back to 1945 Danesfield House Eyes to Bletchley Park’S Ears Sunday 10Th March 3:30Pm
    ISSUE NO.7 THE MARCH 2019 DANESFIELD TIMES SPRING BACK TO 1945 DANESFIELD HOUSE EYES TO BLETCHLEY PARK’S EARS SUNDAY 10TH MARCH 3:30PM Danesfield House is steeped in history and none more important than that of the war years, 1941–1945, when Danesfield House was requisitioned and became RAF Medmenham. Join us for an afternoon tea, see fascinating artifacts and listen whilst Karl Thompson, Medmenham Museum Curator, relays stories of the Battle of the V, Weapons and the Battle of the Beams, highlighting how Danesfield House and Bletchley Park were employed together to answer Churchill’s critical intelligence needs. These captivating stories will include a run through of a typical mission from task to report concluding with how the relationships and methods developed then are still in use today. We will also be joined by Dr David Kenyon, Research Historian at Bletchley Park. The Government Code and Cipher School (GC & CS) which was based at Bletchley Park from 1939-1946, was responsible for the interception of enemy communications and for breaking the codes used in them. Along with Medmenham it formed one of the key pillars of the Allied intelligence effort. David will be able to tell the Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) side of the WW2 intelligence story. There will also be an opportunity to discuss with Karl and David questions relating to RAF Medmenham and Bletchley Park during the afternoon. £49 pp // 6-12 yrs £22.50 per child Children 0-5 yrs complimentary TO BOOK PLEASE CALL THE EVENTS TEAM 01628 897601 OR EMAIL [email protected] DANESFIELD HOUSE HISTORY TIMELINE JOIN US FOR MOTHER’S DAY MOTHERING SUNDAY MOTHERING SUNDAY LUNCH AFTERNOON TEA SUNDAY 31ST MARCH SUNDAY 31ST MARCH Surprise, spoil and delight Mum with a delicious lunch this Join us this Mother’s Day for a traditional Afternoon Tea, a Mothering Sunday in The Restaurant at Danesfield House.
    [Show full text]
  • Valley Slope
    LCT 21 VALLEY SLOPE Constituent LCAs LCA 21.1 Thames LCA LCA XX LCT 21 VALLEY SLOPE KEY CHARACTERISTICS • Transitional, gently sloping valley side, gradually descending from higher ground to floodplain. A sloping and gently rolling topography, composed of chalk and river terrace deposits. • Fields of arable, pasture and rough grazing, which are delineated by a network of hedgerows and trees. • Large blocks of woodland located along upper slopes. Smaller areas of woodland are interlocked with farmland. Some pockets of calcareous grassland. • Settlement comprises town and village edges, small hamlets and scattered farmsteads, with a mix of historic character and modern infilling. • Archaeological features and historic parkland scattered across this landscape. • Some busy roads cut through, elsewhere, small rural roads and lanes, often enclosed by trees and hedgerows and sunken in places, cross the slopes. • The open, sloping landform allows long views out across lower floodplain topography. • Away from busy roads and settlement edges, enclosed lanes, farmland and woodland create a rural and peaceful character. Land Use Consultants 137 LCA 21.1 THAMES VALLEY SLOPE LCA in Context LCA 21.1 THAMES VALLEY SLOPE KEY CHARACTERISTICS • Transitional, gently sloping valley side, gradually descending southwards from the higher rolling farmland to the Thames floodplain. • Geology of exposed chalk combined with Thames River Terrace Deposits, gives rise to a sloping and gently rolling topography. • Fields of arable cultivation, pasture and rough grazing delineated by a network of hedgerows and trees. • Large blocks of woodland (commonly beech and yew) are located along the upper slopes, much of which is ancient woodland. Smaller areas of woodland are interlocked with farmland.
    [Show full text]
  • Wedding Brochure- Small
    Nestled on a plateau high above the meandering River Thames and rolling Chiltern Hills beyond, Danesfield House is a stunningly beautiful wedding venue quite unlike any other. Built in 1901 using locally quarried rock chalk, the imposing Renaissance-style house sits amidst 65 acres of lovingly manicured gardens with an unrivalled selection of individually designed rooms and suites, an acclaimed restaurant and award winning spa. Offering a versatile selection of elegant rooms to suit wedding parties of every size, the hotel is accessed by a private tree-lined drive which offers unrivalled privacy and exclusivity. Ample parking with full concierge service and a private helicopter landing facility both guarantee your guests a smooth and stress-free journey to and from the hotel and a warm welcome awaits them from our dedicated wedding team. We can take care of every detail so that your day is fabulous from start to finish. All you have to do is say ‘I do’. STEEPED IN HISTORY, ONCE WARTIME HOME TO RAF MEDMENHAM FROM 1941-1977 NOW A LUXURIOUS COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL AND SPA WITHIN 65 ACRES OF MANICURED GARDENS ON THE BANKS OF THE RIVER THAMES WEDDING PACKAGE 2019/ 2020 SATURDAY (minimum 80 adults) FRIDAY | SUNDAY | BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY (minimum 60 adults) Other days from a minimum of 15 guests INCLUDES: ӹ Red or Ivory carpet on arrival ӹ Room Hire of the Versailles Suite (from after your ceremony until midnight) ӹ Canapés; three canapés per person ӹ Drinks Reception; two glasses of Prosecco per person ӹ Three course Wedding Breakfast including tea,
    [Show full text]
  • Medmenham Abbey Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire/Buckinghamshire Medmenham Abbey Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire/Buckinghamshire
    Medmenham abbey henley-on-thames, oxfordshire/buckinghamshire Medmenham Abbey henley-on-thames, oxfordshire/buckinghamshire Marlow 4 miles Henley-on-Thames 5 miles Reading 12.6 miles (London Paddington 45 minutes) M40 (J4) 6.7miles M4 (J8/9) 10.3 miles Heathrow Airport 24.8 miles Central London 36.2 miles (Distances and time approximate) A truly idyllic grade II* listed riverside residence steeped in history Entrance hall Kitchen Breakfast room Dining room Sitting room Music room Drawing room Library Utility room Study Cinema Cloakrooms Loggia Master bedroom suite with dressing room and bathroom 8 further bedroom suites Spa bathroom with steam room Gymnasium Bar Housekeeper’s cottage comprising: Kitchen/Breakfast room Sitting room Bedroom Bathroom Utility room WC Extensive staff offices 3 bay garage Store room 0.67 miles of River Thames frontage Private wet dock Beautiful mature gardens and grounds Outdoor swimming pool Water meadows with +44 (0)20 7629 8171 extensive wooden board walk 55 Baker Street London, W1U 8AN Planning consent for a covered boat house, new garage block with first [email protected] floor staff flat and an extension to the existing house keeper’s annex In all about 42.10 acres +44 (0)1491 844 900 House approximately 12,938 sq ft (1,202 sq m) in total including garage 20 Thameside, Henley-on-Thames Oxfordshire, RG9 2LJ For sale freehold [email protected] www.knightfrank.com Viewing by appointment only. these particulars are intended only as a guide and must not be relied upon as statements of fact. your attention is drawn to the important notice on the last page of the brochure.
    [Show full text]
  • Bourne End Junior Sports Club 50Th Birthday
    VOL.56 No2 The Journal of Bourne End (Bucks) Community Association APRIL/MAY 2020 £1Suggested price Prize winners STOP PRESS: On going to press Target was informed of manyat the clublocal event cancellations and we have endeavoured to make last minute changes where possible in the magazine. Please check online or with group/event organisers before attending anything advertised in this issue. See our statement on page 39. to sometime in August or early September - Prize winners check out Target for further details. in 2019 Our big final celebration was to take place on June 20 in the form of a grand dinner at the Odney Club, Cookham. This was to be an opportunity for many former members and volunteers to gather together along with some sports personalities who have supported us over the years. Sadly this event has also had to be postponed due to the Coronavirus, so we are busy trying to reschedule for a date in October/November 2020. Please do keep an eye out for the confirmed change of dates and we look forward to welcoming you to the events when they are re-booked. We so wanted to make this a year to remember and to celebrate 50 years of such a successful club and to toast its continuing growth and development, however, it may now be memorable for another reason out of our control. See page 23 to read about how you can Bourne End Junior Sports support the club. Club 50th Birthday TARGET Liz Hutton reveals exciting celebratory plans for 2020 Many regular Target readers will be familiar volunteering for all trustees up to 2020, of TOPS with the sports club newsletter and will know which 238 have been completed by the that the club is celebrating being in existence current board of directors, in excess of THE for half a century.
    [Show full text]
  • PADDLE the THAMES a Guide for Canoes, Kayaks and Sups
    PADDLE THE THAMES A GUIDE FOR CANOES, KAYAKS AND SUPS MARK RAINSLEY SOURCE OF THE RIVER THAMES Cirencester Thames Source N Section 1 Cricklade Lechlade on Thames Section 2 Bampton Faringdon Section 4 Section 3 Oxford Abingdon- on-Thames England W a l e s Source of Section 5 Thames Wallingford Section 7 Section 6 Goring Section 9 Henley- on-Thames Section 10 Section 8 Reading Section 11 Maidenhead Slough Windsor Section 12 Staines- upon-Thames Section 14 N Richmond Section 15 Esher Section 13 LONDON Section 16 Dagenham Section 17 Dartford Section 18 Tilbury Gravesend Canvey Island Southend- Camping on-Sea Castle Lock Sheerness Y Windsor Castle Visitor attraction R A U T S E S Start & alternative start E M A H T Finish & alternative finish MARK RAINSLEY PADDLE THE THAMES A GUIDE FOR CANOES, KAYAKS AND SUPS First published 2017 Published in Great Britain 2017 by Pesda Press Tan y Coed Canol Ceunant Caernarfon Gwynedd LL55 4RN Copyright © 2017 Mark Rainsley ISBN 9781906095598 The Author asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the Publisher. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2017 Maps by Bute Cartographic Printed and bound in Poland, www.hussarbooks.pl Foreword An adventure in our own backyard is what we set off to find. With a passion for the outdoors and the water, we realised we didn’t need to travel far.
    [Show full text]
  • Step Into Midsomer
    Wycombe (not a filming location). filming a (not Wycombe Information Centres: Information In Princes Risborough, Marlow and High High and Marlow Risborough, Princes In Model Village. Model Risborough, Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway, Bekonscot Bekonscot Railway, Risborough Princes & Chinnor Risborough, Forge in Loosley Row, St. Dunstan’s Church at Monks Monks at Church Dunstan’s St. Row, Loosley in Forge Visit: Visit: St. Nicholas Church at Nether Winchendon, Gomme’s Gomme’s Winchendon, Nether at Church Nicholas St. Crendon), The Crown (Sydenham). Crown The Crendon), Standard of England (Forty Green), The Eight Bells (Long (Long Bells Eight The Green), (Forty England of Standard Head (Little Marlow), The Bull and Butcher (Turville), The Royal Royal The (Turville), Butcher and Bull The Marlow), (Little Head Chequers (Fingest), The Two Brewers (Marlow), The Queens Queens The (Marlow), Brewers Two The (Fingest), Chequers Eat & Drink: & Eat La Chouette (Dinton), The Lions of Bledlow, The The Bledlow, of Lions The (Dinton), Chouette La leisure complexes in High Wycombe. High in complexes leisure The Plough (Cadsden), Chiltern Valley Winery. Valley Chiltern (Cadsden), Plough The Amersham, as well as theatre, cinema, covered shopping and and shopping covered cinema, theatre, as well as Amersham, (Hambleden), Henley Greenlands Hotel, The Olde Bell (Hurley), (Hurley), Bell Olde The Hotel, Greenlands Henley (Hambleden), include museums in Marlow, High Wycombe, Aylesbury and and Aylesbury Wycombe, High Marlow, in museums include Stay: Stay:
    [Show full text]
  • It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
    ‘Tis the Season “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas” – Perry Como 2 Danesfield House Hotel and SpaWinter 2018 History of the House Danesfield House that we see today was completed in 1901 as a family home for Robert William Hudson. The house is the third property to have been built within this glorious setting, amidst 65 acres of formal gardens with outstanding views over the River Thames and the Chiltern Hills beyond. Robert Hudson had inherited his fortune from his father Robert Spear Hudson, the Victorian soap magnate, and manufacturers of “Sunlight” soap. His first determination was to rebuild the property and employed to assist the build in the style of the Italian Renaissance was Romaine Walker, FRIBA. The house was finished with such disregard of expense that it became an architectural show place, faced with locally quarried rock chalk with imposing terraced gardens overlooking the river. Originally some 4,000 years ago, the site was reputed to have been a resting place of nomadic tribes who paused to hunt nearby land and fish in the then untamed river. If you stand on the crest of the bank between the present house and the river and look west there is a steep ravine directly in front of you which is the remnant of the ramparts of a prehistoric fortification. Because of the ample game and the discovery of flint within the chalk based cliffs, the site became a settlement throughout the ages and although not named “Danesfield” until many years later, this name originated from the Danish adventurers who made an encampment here.
    [Show full text]