An ancient town standing on the banks of the River Thames in Berks, England, Maidenhead began life as a Saxon settlement in the centuries before the Norman conquest. The name probable derives from an early name ‘Maiden Hythe’ and it was mentioned in the Domesday Book as ‘Ellington’. An early ferry which ran across the Thames river was replaced by a bridge in 1280, the Great Western Road was rediverted to utilise this new bridge. As a result Maidenhead became a popular stopping off point for coaches on the busy route between Bath and London, and this led to the growth of the historic town centre where many inns and establishments were erected, some still remain today such as the Bear Inn. The present day bridge over the Thames dates from 1777 its construction cost just 19,000 pounds. Maidenhead took on something approaching its present look after the arrival of the railway line in the 19th century, it has continued to grow to this day. A nice way to approach the town is by boat along the river (weather permitting) and this stretch of the Thames is very attractive and popular with users of pleasure craft. When you have seen the best of Maidenhead, take a trip along the Thames to Cookham, a historic village, birthplace of English painter Sir Stanley Spencer, Cookham is a very attractive village which retains its old English village charm. Map of Maidenhead.
December 12, 2009
December 7, 2009
Hatfield House Hertfordshire
While the town of Hatfield in Hertfordshire, has much the look of a modern town, its most famous landmark dates back to some of town’s more interesting times. That landmark is Hatfield House, a Jacobean style house built for the First Earl of Salisbury, Robert Cecil in 1611, and home to the Cecil family ever since. Set in Hatfield’s Great Park, Hatfield House was built on the same site as an earlier Royal Palace (1497) which was a favourite haunt of Queen Elizabeth I. These days Hatfield House is a popular tourist attraction, many drawn by its associations with one of England’s best loved Queens, visitors can view a number of items owned by the queen including a pair of silk stockings, possibly the first to be seen in England at that time. Also popular are the gardens at Hatfield House, covering some 42 acres, the gardens were designed by John Tradescent the Elder during the early 17th century. Hatfield Map.
December 1, 2009
Hemel Hempstead
A bustling town within the English county of Hertfordshire, Hemel Hempstead was possibly settled as long ago as the Roman times, with remains of a Roman villa being found in nearby Boxmoor. The first records mentioning the town date from the 8th century and its name drived from the Anglo-Saxon Hean-Hempsted (or High Hempstead), in the Domesday Book it was named as Hamelamesede. The Norman conquest saw its land owned by Robert, Count of Mortain, it was later controlled by Thomas Becket, it was later granted a Royal Charter by Henry 8th. The town has mostly grown however since WW2 as it was developed as a ‘new town’, it now has a population of around 81,000. Map of Hemel Hempstead.