Sitting quietly in the Chilterns, on a hill behind the village of West Wycombe, is one of the most famous examples of clubland in the world. Its founder Sir Francis Dashwood, 2nd Baronet, had form in this area: his other creations … Continue reading Wine, women and Hell-Fire…
While Runnymede remains most famous for its location for the agreement of the original Magna Carta, just over 800 years ago, there is also a significant associated modern anniversary. If he had lived, John F Kennedy would have celebrated his 100th birthday today. … Continue reading Words from another age, words for the ages
There’s something reassuring about Bekonscot, which sits unobtrusive off the main street of Beaconsfield’s new town area. In an age of VR headsets and Skype, Bekonscot’s attractions are solidly old-fashioned. And yet when it was new, it was so new … Continue reading The original model village
Now here’s a practice none of the parties in this year’s General Election campaign are promising to introduce… Every third Saturday in May, the Mayor of High Wycombe and its Charter Trustees – councillors for the town wards of Wycombe … Continue reading Wycombe tradition: MORE or NO MORE?
The beech woods may have been carpeted with bluebells, but we were in search of more elusive blooms. As our group assembled in Hughenden Church car park, local nature expert Tony Marshall explained that we would be seeing Coralroot (cardamine … Continue reading Not just bluebells
In the middle of the Metropolitan Green Belt sits the small village of Chenies. Seriously small: there are well under 200 inhabitants. Chenies Manor goes back, in one form or another, at least 800 years, having been in the possession … Continue reading Tudors and tulips
It’s no big deal eating in someone’s living room. True, it’s a little more unusual when the low beams hint at over 400 years of history. And then there’s the art works… and the local produce… Clearly the Drawingroom, just … Continue reading The Drawingroom: bigger on the inside…?
For some pubs, ninety years is barely a snap of the fingers – they’ve been around a lot longer than that. For the Bell at Aston Clinton, it might be an eternity for all that the casual visitor would know. … Continue reading Evelyn Waugh drank here, often
Not many people would, probably, put the words “Luton” and “culture” together. Luton has such a bad reputation that it’s even been voted the UK’s worst town. A drive round the centre can be depressing and confusing. Yet some of … Continue reading Teacups and trucks
We’ve all had this problem… Working in the big smoke; live a long way away; how to shorten the daily grind of commuting? Get a base in town, perhaps – or just outside town. Which brings us to Richard, earl … Continue reading Commuter Castle
Slow Travel: The Chilterns and Thames Valley 