This time took my road warrior skills to go again to jolly England with the Le Shuttle train service (see post), and my Ford ; towing along my good boys and wonderful Rex! It was a very nice trip going into the countryside and seeing several towns of wonderul architecture and history, This one is a must and one of our highlights of the trip, we had our encounter with Beaconsfield, and it was nice! Therefore, let me tell you on this is Beaconsfield in England !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
The City of Beaconsfield is located in Buckinghamshire ,England. It is 24 miles (39 km) of Central London , 16 miles (26 km) of Aylesbury, also, within 5 miles (8 km),of Gerrards Cross, Amersham and High Wycombe. The M40 motorway runs very close to the town with Junction 2 (exit) on the parish boundary between junctions 1a to 3. Junction 2 is home to Beaconsfield motorway services. Local roads include the A355 which connects Amersham (see posts) and Slough via Beaconsfield. The A40 parallels the M40 from London to Oxford and for years was the main road between the two cities as its precursor. The B474 connects the town to Hazlemere. We used a lot here the M40 and A355, from where we came into town,
The Reading Room is situated in Wycombe End in Beaconsfield Old Town. It has a mixed past. The site once contained a large house owned by the Stransom family. After the trustees died, no further Trust records are found after 1861. The Stransom family had moved away a number of years before. Part of the large house was sold to Willliam Boddy the butcher and where the reading room stands today was the slaughter house The butchers shop fell into disrepair and was sold in 1868 to initially a private owner The building was then sold to become a cottage hospital, Old Stransom House. The slaughter house was demolished in the 1870’s and the Reading Room and cottages were built One of the cottages was named Oakley Cottage In 1920 the Reading Room became a library, initially with donated books. Until 1999 it was used as a pop-in centre opened the Reading Rooms on 27th September 2002. Today the Reading Room is cared for by a group of Trustees with links to the church and Town Council.
This building, the Church House or Parish Hall, lies north of the Old Rectory ,and Capel House, and was erected at the bequest of the rector, Richard Capel, who died in 1500. It is the only Wealden hall house still surviving in Beaconsfield. Originally, there would have been one large full height central hall with private or ‘solar’ rooms at either end at the first floor level. The house was originally intended as a public meeting place and is now split into two homes called Old Timbers and Capel House respectively. It has, in the past, had a variety of uses including being used as stables to Hall Place which was the Rectory from 1869-1975.
The Royal Saracens Head Inn at 6-8 London End ,dates back to the 18C, when it was originally a coaching inn, this intriguing pub, bar and restaurant with courtyard and garden, is perfectly equipped to accommodate all of your dining requirements, no matter what the occasion. There has been much debate over which is the oldest inn still in business in Beaconsfield. Recent research suggests that it is the Saracen’s Head, first mentioned obliquely in the will of an innkeeper in 1510, and then by name in 1545. However, there is also written evidence to suggest that an inn existed on the site, on the corner of London End and Windsor End, as far back as 1242. Originally the building was a jettied (first floor projecting) timber framed house which was probably re-fronted in the late 17C. In 1893 the inn was rebuilt and the exterior given its now familiar mock Tudor half-timber appearance. Today the interior has been tastefully modernised retaining much of its original character, and there are still many genuine original timbers which were discovered during renovation work. These include an archway, currently standing in the bar, which is thought to be around 350 years old and probably formed the gateway to the courtyard for the coaches. There is also an excellent example of a dragon beam which supported the corner of the overhanging floor. By 1724 the Saracen’s Head had become an inn with rooms, and throughout the coaching era the Oxford coaches stopped here to change horses and enjoy the hospitality. By the late 19C the Saracen’s Head was described as ‘a family and commercial hotel and posting house’. Today it no longer provides accommodation ,but remains a thriving public house with an attached restaurant. The exterior of the Royal Saracens Head Inn can be seen in the James Bond film Thunderball, and the interior shots for the pub in Hot Fuzz were filmed in the Royal Standard of England pub
Other things to see here are the National Film and Television School. The Hall Barn estate is featured in the 1981 Oscar-winner Chariots of Fire. The Royal Standard of England is one of the oldest freehouses in the country, rich with history and local legend. Said to have sheltered Charles I, this pub offers a cosy atmosphere filled with character and tradition. It’s a fantastic place to enjoy hearty, classic pub fare. Bekonscot Model Village is a magical miniature world, capturing the essence of 1930s England with incredible detail and charm. Established in 1929, it is the world’s oldest original model village, offering visitors a unique glimpse into a bygone era. The model railway adds a playful element, especially loved by families and model enthusiasts alike. Old Beaconsfield is a treasure trove of history with its Georgian brick streets and Tudor revival architecture. The New Town offers a modern contrast to the historic Old Town with its lively High Street packed with independent shops, stylish cafés and elegant restaurants. The Chiltern Open Air Museum is a captivating place where history comes alive through relocated historic buildings from across the Chilterns. Victorian cottages, traditional workshops and rural homes give insight into past ways of life, making it a fascinating visit for all ages. Cliveden House & Gardens, a National Trust property, offers spectacular gardens and a historic mansion to explore.
A bit of history tell us that Beaconsfield is recorded in property returns of 1185 where it is spelt Bekenesfeld,The parish church at the crossroads of Old Beaconsfield is dedicated to St Mary, it was rebuilt of flint and bath stone by the Victorians in 1869. The United Reformed Church in Beaconsfield can trace its roots of non-conformist worship in the town back to 1704. Old Beaconsfield has a number of old coaching inns along a wide street of red brick houses and small shops. It was the first (coach) stopping point on the road between London and Oxford, as it is equidistant between the two places. An annual charter fair is traditionally held on 10 May and has been held every year since 1269. In the Victorian era the town was the home constituency of Benjamin Disraeli, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in 1868 and then again from 1874 until 1880. In 1876 he was made the 1st Earl of Beaconsfield by Queen Victoria with whom he was very popular It is the burial place of the author G. K. Chesterton, an English Christian apologist writer ,the writer Edmund Burke an Anglo-Irish writer, philosopher, and politician who is widely credited as the founder of the cultural and political philosophy of conservatism and the poet Edmund Waller,was a poet and politician from Buckinghamshire. He sat as MP for various constituencies between 1624 and 1687, and was one of the longest serving members of the English House of Commons. for whom a tall stone obelisk was erected over the tomb chest in St Mary and All Saints’ churchyard
The South East England tourist office on Beaconsfield : https://www.visitsoutheastengland.com/places-to-visit/beaconsfield-p92431
The Beaconsfield town council on its history : https://www.beaconsfieldtowncouncil.gov.uk/our-community/history/
The Buckinghamshire Heritage Council on Beaconsfield : https://heritageportal.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/theme/tbc830
The Chilterns Natural Landscape on Beaconsfield : https://www.chilterns.org.uk/visit-chilterns/market-towns/beaconsfield/
The official Royal Saracens Head : https://www.theroyalsaracens.co.uk/#/
There you go folks , do dare drive in jolly England, it’s an adventure of a lifetime, and you will be back !!! as we have lol! Until another round chasing Sherlock we will be saying elementary my dear Watson to you all. Again, hope you enjoy this post on this is Beaconsfield in England !!! as I
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
