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Slow Travel: The Chilterns and Thames Valley

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Category: history

history, Walks1 Comment

A slow escape: Stonor out of lockdown

June 7, 2020September 20, 2020 slowchilterns

How many local businesses and visitor attractions will survive the current crisis? As the UK goes through multiple phases in relaxing its lockdown, opportunities are slowly opening up to re-visit some favourite places. One example is Stonor Park, just outside … Continue reading A slow escape: Stonor out of lockdown

architecture, Children, historyLeave a comment

Blood, bone and a snappy opening

July 7, 2019September 20, 2020 slowchilterns

If you’re one of those people who laments the lack of variety in British high streets these days, a display in the newly re-opened North Hertfordshire Museum may interest you. It’s a reconstruction of part of Parks and Llewelyn, a … Continue reading Blood, bone and a snappy opening

history, Tradition1 Comment

Boarstall Tower: a frank and Ernest history

June 30, 2019 slowchilterns

You don’t tend to come across the phrase ‘licence to crenellate’ too much these days. I found it in the Buckinghamshire volume of Nikolaus Pevsner’s Buildings of England (1960). Pevsner uses the phrase in his description of Boarstall Tower – … Continue reading Boarstall Tower: a frank and Ernest history

history, Nature, TraditionLeave a comment

An act of remembrance

June 9, 2019September 20, 2020 slowchilterns

A while ago, we wrote about the extraordinary Whipsnade Tree Cathedral – the embodiment of one man’s wish to commemorate friends who died in World War I, and to give others a place to reflect, a place of faith, hope … Continue reading An act of remembrance

Eating, history, Nature, TraditionLeave a comment

Polecat returns: sorry, no (live) sheep

May 26, 2019 slowchilterns

Not a real polecat, I should say at the outset; you can sometimes glimpse polecats in parts of the Chilterns, and our friend Tony Marshall of Prestwood Nature tells us they are now breeding regularly. But in this case I’m … Continue reading Polecat returns: sorry, no (live) sheep

Eating, historyLeave a comment

Princes Risborough: half a millennium of markets

May 18, 2019September 20, 2020 slowchilterns

The Chilterns region has a number of distinguishing features: its beech woodlands; its chalk streams; red kites and rare orchids; the number of great writers and artists who’ve lived and worked here; and a generous sprinkling of marvellous historic houses … Continue reading Princes Risborough: half a millennium of markets

architecture, history, TraditionLeave a comment

At home with Vicky and Bertie

May 18, 2019 slowchilterns

It’s one of the great weekends of the year. Hundreds if not thousands of fans descend upon a splendid and historic venue, wearing their colours, cheering on the proceedings. There’s always the chance of an upset but, whatever the outcome, … Continue reading At home with Vicky and Bertie

architecture, history, TraditionLeave a comment

Come back, Don Quixote: the mills return

May 6, 2019 slowchilterns

Mills of one sort or another used to dominate the landscape, making a vital contribution to the economies and lives of their communities. Now, across Buckinghamshire and the Chilterns at least, only a handful remain. As we await the UK … Continue reading Come back, Don Quixote: the mills return

architecture, history, WalksLeave a comment

Inside the Gothic Temple

April 28, 2019September 20, 2020 slowchilterns

If you live in north Buckinghamshire, or nearby, you’ll probably know Stowe (main house shown above) – one of the most extravagant and famous National Trust properties in the area. You may not know that you can stay in one … Continue reading Inside the Gothic Temple

history, SportLeave a comment

A town fit for heroes

April 6, 2019 slowchilterns

As it continues to adapt to the demands of the 21st century, Aylesbury and its immediate surrounds are unveiling new attractions and developments at what once might have seemed a bewildering rate. In the past few years we’ve seen the … Continue reading A town fit for heroes

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