Old Amersham Visitor Guide - Chiltern District Council

VISITOR GUIDE
Old
Amersham
Historic Chiltern market town
sponsored by
Chiltern District Council
www.chiltern.gov.uk
www.visitbuckinghamshire.org
building took place around the railway after it opened in
1892, is separated by woods from the Old Town.
The most prominent feature of the High Street is the redbrick Market Hall, with its rounded arches, wooden turret
and clock-tower. Within the open space beneath, the
market is held that was granted by a charter of 1200 in the
reign of King John. A two day fair was also granted, and
Amersham Fair continues to transform the High Street as it
has done for nearly 800 years on 19th and 20th
September, the patronal feast days of the parish church.
History of Old Amersham
The Domesday Book of 1086 records Amersham as
‘Elmodesham’ with three water mills in use along the
banks of the River Misbourne. It was described in about
1540 as ‘a right pretty market town of one street built in
timber’. Amersham became an important staging point for
coaches from London to the Midlands via Aylesbury and
you can still see the high arches which were built for the
many old coaching inns which catered to the travellers and
their horses.
Nowadays, visitors are attracted by the Old Town’s unusual
charm and character, its variety of architecture spanning five
centuries, with shops, houses, churches and pubs all mixed
together. Amersham-on-the-Hill, where most of the modern
2
Amersham was an active centre of Dissent from the 14th
century onwards and some inhabitants suffered martyrdom.
In the 17th century the town was the home of prominent
Quakers who suffered great persecution. A tablet on the
north side of the Market Hall gives an outline of the town’s
history. Around the corner is a lead pump from 1749, and
under the arches is the original town lock-up.
Two cottage industries employing many Amersham folk up
to the end of the 19th century were lacemaking and straw
plait. Black lace became a speciality of the town, while fine
straw plait was produced for the Luton hatmakers.
Amersham’s historic Old Town successfully blends the
beauty of the old with the practicality of the new. Today,
its enchanting shops stock everything from antiques to
contemporary fashion. It has been described as a unique
jewel in the crown of Buckinghamshire.
3
Heritage Open Weekend
– second weekend in
September. Part of the
national event to
celebrate local history
and architecture.
More details can be
obtained on tel: 01494
732023 / 586892.
Notable events
Guided Walks around Amersham Old Town – every
Sunday from Easter to the end of October. The walk takes
about 11/2 hours and starts at Amersham Museum, 49
High Street, at 2.30pm. Adults £1, children under 16 free.
For further information and group visits tel: 01494 725724.
Amersham Martyrs Guided Walk – Guides in 16th century
costume tell the story of the Lollard Martyrs and life in
Amersham in the early 16th century. The walk takes 11/2
to 2 hours, including a climb up through the fields to the
Martyrs Memorial, and starts at Amersham Museum, 49
High Street, at 2.30pm on the last Saturdays of May, June,
July, August and September. Adults £1, children under 16
free. For further information and group visits tel: 01494
725724 / 723700.
Christmas festivities – An annual late night Christmas
shopping event and a children’s carol service are held on
the first Thursday in December
Market days – markets
specialising in garden
plants, fruit and
vegetables, book and
antiques are held every
week beneath Market
Hall. The main market
day is Saturday, with
smaller markets on
Tuesday and Friday.
Art & Craft exhibitions at Market Hall – monthly
exhibitions by artists, photographers, potters, sculptors
etc. For a list of events contact: 01494 586892.
Charter Fair – Every year on 19th and 20th September.
Full of modern rides and attractions, stretching the length
and breadth of the High Street.
Musical events in St Mary’s Church – in addition to being
a place of worship, the church is often used for musical
concerts and recitals of the highest quality. For further
information tel: 01494 729380
4
5
Where to shop
POP ANTIQUES
www.popantiques.com
Pop Antiques offer a wide range of painted designer
furniture with a choice of many accessories.
The store also stocks an exciting and unique
decorating kit which will allow you to
dramatically transform any piece of
furniture in a few easy steps.
Mon–Sat 10am–5.30pm
WHITE TULIP Ltd
greeting cards and gifts
PENTANGLE STUDIO
35 High Street 01494 432539
We specialise in antiques and country furniture,
with a good mix of decorative
items. Open 6 days a week. Liz Quilter
SUNDIAL ANTIQUES
RICH
19 Whielden Street 01494 727955
4 Market Walk, Market Sq. 01494 431353
A traditional Antique Shop with 35 years experience
selling small furniture, metalware and ceramics, all
pre-1920. Open 9.30am–5.30pm, closed Thursday & Sunday.
Great beauty gifts from a great little shop. Stockists of Penhaligon’s
and Trumpers and other carefully chosen beauty products selected
from around the world especially for you. www.richgiftsdirect.co.uk
38 High Street 01494 433723
ANTIQUES
white tulip
Ring O Roses and Soo Clayton stock
an Aladdin’s Cave of hand-painted
furniture, wooden toys, rag dolls;
Lucy Locket fairy and dressing-up
boutique, Kidorable stockist, designer
jewellery and much more.
LIZ QUILTER
THE CUPBOARD ANTIQUES
ALEXANDER COLLECTIONS
80 High Street 01494 722882
1 The Broadway 01494 434234
An antique shop specialising in
period furniture, decorative antiques
and unusual items and gifts.
6
For fabulous jewellery, gifts and cards.
Also in Marlow.
GIFT SHOPS
1–3 Market Walk, Market Square 01494 726142
Old Amersham is full of surprises. Search out the unique
specialist stores along Whielden Street, Market Walk, the
Broadway and London Road. Don’t miss The Maltings,
along School Lane, where you will find a variety of
workshops including a cabinet maker and soft furnisher,
and a gallery selling paintings, ceramics, glass and sculpture.
ANTIQUES
12 The Broadway 01494 434443
Old Amersham provides a characterful and refreshing
alternative to both the bustle of London and the
uninspiring out-of-town retail centres, with something of
interest for most shoppers.
The variety of shops only becomes apparent by taking a
walk along the High Street. There is a wonderful array of
quality items on offer, in particular gifts, antiques, fashion
accessories and interior furnishings.
email: info@popantiques.com
JEWELLERY GALLERY – Exclusive designer
jewellery from Dori Csengeri, JanArt, Phoenix Design
and Lalique. GIFT GALLERY – Mats Jonasson,
Reuge, Alexander Kaleidoscopes, Lalique, Loet
Vanderveen Bronzes, Dalvey, Staffordshire Enamels,
and much more. Complimentary gift wrap service.
www.alexandercollections.co.uk
7
FA S H I O N
GERALD PUNTON
11 The Broadway 01494 727630
42 The Broadway 01494 727499
Spirit of the Andes
specialises in the
design and retail of
Alpaca and Pima
cotton garments and
accessories from Peru
and Bolivia.
Bespoke tailor and shirtmaker.
Alterations and repairs undertaken.
Fax: 01494 728283.
Gerald Punton
Bespoke Tailor and Shirtmaker
LAURA
57 High Street 01494 726788
Great clothes, relaxed atmosphere. Designer shopping at
Chatterton’s. Pure Therapy. Allanah Hill, Chine,
DKNY, Ghost, Juicy Couture and many more.
SOPHISTICATED CLASSIC CLOTHES.
www.laurafashions.co.uk
Michèle • Tendenza • Hauber • Marcona
Catherina Hepfer • Fisser • Avoca
La Confidence • Caroline Rohmer • Oldavi
Escorpion • Robell • Hucke • Michael H
Almia • Eugen Klein • Gerard Pasquier.
BUTTERFLY LINGERIE Ltd
FYNE THINGS
31 High Street 01494 727527
12 Market Square 01494 728994
For beautiful lingerie, nightwear,
swimwear and beachwear.
Open 10–5 Monday to Saturday.
Beautiful clothes for all occasions featuring:
Gerry Weber • Libra • Rosie • Oui • Pola • Hammer • Gardeur
• Tru • Via Appia • Sieden Sticker.
CHATTERTON’S
The Old Bank, 55 High Street 01494 722854
FA S H I O N
SPIRIT OF THE ANDES
PENNY PLAIN Ltd
16 The Broadway 01494 722039
All of this season’s must-have
colours in our fabulous collection.
Sizes 10 to 26, plus
exclusive accessories.
Call in for a coffee
and a browse!
www.pennyplain.co.uk
AMBERS OF AMERSHAM
The Millstream, 47–49 London Road
01494 722471 / 725623
Ambers is our home for fashion.
It is a unique environment that offers
top-to-toe fashion for the discerning shopper,
including our specialist River Room
Restaurant and Tea Room (see page 15).
8
PAUL COSTELLOE
25 High Street 01494 724717
Wonderful Womenswear.
Open Monday to Saturday
9.30am–5.30pm.
BOHO
33 The Broadway 01494 723348
Designer boutique - Missoni,
Diane von Furstenberg, Nolita, Poleci,
Sonia Rykiel and many more.
9
A R T G A L L E RY
THE HAWKER GALLERY
The Maltings (off School Lane) 01494 724850
Fine original paintings and applied arts.
Exhibitions by renowned artists and art
societies. Special Chiltern Collection.
Framing and restoration service.
NEWSAGENTS
e-mail: enquiries@thehawkergallery.co.uk
www.thehawkergallery.co.uk
BROADWAY NEWSAGENTS
Other services
ATKINSONS CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS
The Red House, 10 Market Square 01494 434830
Registered Auditors • Accountancy Services
Tax Advisers • Business Development
Company Formations • Book-keeping
and Payroll Service • VAT
Financial Services
WHERE SERVICE MATTERS
34 The Broadway tel/fax 01494 727292
One stop for: newspapers • magazines • groceries
• cigarettes • beverages • stationery • dry-cleaning • photocopying
• national lottery • fax • pre-paid int. cards, all network top-ups.
Your doorstep morning deliveries. www.broadwaynews@aol.com
ALL WAYS PACIFIC TRAVEL
7 Whielden Street 01494 432747
All Ways Pacific specialise in
tailor made holidays and escorted
tours to New Zealand, Australia
and the South Pacific.
SU CHASES INTERIORS
Red Lion House, High Street 01494 724094
INTERIORS
A house full of ideas, gifts and
accessories for your home and
garden. Enlist the
help of our friendly
design team or just
lose yourself in the
delights of browsing. I N T E R I O R S
OLD AMERSHAM
BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
Preserving
Old Amersham
Developing a
prosperous
business
community
10
promotes the attractions of
the Old Town by distributing
the Visitor Guide to
Information Centres
throughout the county and to
various sites in London.
Any business is welcome to
join; please ask our
Membership Secretary
(01494 724850) for details.
NORRIS BAZZARD
119 High Street 01494 725522
ESTATE AGENTS
residential sales • residential lettings • valuations • commercial
SOLICITORS for Business and Individuals
commercial property • company • debt collection • employment
residential property • wills, trusts, probate • inheritance tax planning.
www.norrisbazzard.co.uk
N S LUCAS & CO
The Courtyard, 80 High Street 01494 723822
Consolidate all your financial needs
with our well established firm,
specialising in all areas of finance:
Registered Auditors • Accountancy
• Taxation • Personal Tax Advice
Financial Services • Wills • Probate
Inheritance Tax • Payroll.
11
Points of interest
Market Hall
Built by Sir William Drake,
this elegant building has the
date 1682 incised on its walls.
It still provides a hub for the
town and its activities, and
has a hall for hire above.
Within the brick arches is the
old lock-up for disturbers of
the peace, with its original
studded door and grille.
St Mary‘s Church
This is the oldest building in
the town, the nave and
chancel dating back to the
13th century, although it has
been much extended since
then. The flints on the outside
walls were only added when
large quantities were
excavated for the railway at
the end of the 19th century.
Amersham Museum
A 500-year-old timber-framed
medieval hall house at 49
High Street, probably the
oldest house in the town, is
home to Amersham’s
Museum of Local History –
a broad collection of exhibits
from archaeological finds to
the town’s more recent past.
It has its own Herb Garden,
with seats on the terrace
providing an agreeable resting place on a sunny day. For
opening times see the advert on page 18. For details of
Guided Walks starting from the Museum see page 4.
12
A walk around
the Old Town
Starting from the Memorial Gardens
near the car park, walk away from the
road towards the far corner of the
gardens. Go out through the gate and
follow the path round to the left past
St Mary’s Church. To your right is the old brewery, now
converted into offices. Cross Church Street and turn right and
then soon left into School Lane, where you can see the fine
old Rectory on the hill above to your right. Go past the old
Maltings, built in brick and flint in 1829, into Barn Meadow.
Walk down to the left where you will find the River
Misbourne running behind the houses and continue along
beside the river until you reach Mill Lane. Immediately in
front of you is Town Mill, once a working paper mill and
then a corn mill. Across the High Street is Little Shardeloes,
originally a Tudor house but much extended and altered.
Turn left into Amersham’s elegant High Street and admire
the mixture of architectural styles from the small terraced
cottages immediately on your left to the rather grander
houses on the other side of the street. Walk down the High
Street towards the Market Hall and many shops and pubs.
Of particular architectural interest: The gabled
Almshouses of 1657. Wee House, a tiny 17th
century building. The Baptist Church of 1783,
behind the King’s Arms. Apsley House, a
residence from the time of William & Mary.
The Gables, an unusual house from c.1640.
13
As a staging post on the coach road, Amersham has
always had a good supply of inns. In 1897 there were ten
public houses in addition to the Weller Brewery which
employed half the men in the town. Good food and drink
in pleasant surroundings are still high on the menu here.
Within the town you will find a wide variety of
establishments offering a range of menus to suit all tastes.
Accommodation ranges from bed-and-breakfast in unique
surroundings, to the prestigious inns, including the Crown
Hotel which featured in the blockbuster movie Four
Weddings and a Funeral.
PEKING EMPIRE RESTAURANT
20–22 The Broadway 01494 431627 / 433732
Peking, Szechuan and Cantonese Cuisine.
Fully licensed. Fully air conditioned.
We cater for parties.
R E S TA U R A N T S
Where to eat, drink & stay
GILBEY’S RESTAURANT
1 Market Square 01494 727242
Open every lunch and evening.
2 course set lunch menu @ £11.75.
Seasonally-influenced à la carte menu.
Award-winning wine list.
Private dining room.
Beautiful garden for al-fresco dining.
www.gilbeygroup.com
INNS
THE CROWN HOTEL
16 High Street 01494 721541
CARRINGTONS DELICATESSEN & CAFÉ
Amersham’s finest hotel offers 37 deluxe
bedrooms in traditional and contemporary
styling with 7 suites and four poster
rooms. Dine in The Courtyard Restaurant,
The Crown Bar & Brasserie or Alfresco
in the courtyard and morning coffee or
afternoon tea in the Elizabethan lounge.
6 Market Square 01494 432045
The social hub of Amersham with the best
coffee in town. Great food – breakfast, lunch
& tea, scrumptious cakes & a great deli.
SPICE SOCIETY Indian Restaurant & Takeaway
17 Whielden Street 01494 729909 / 729218
CDC SILVER AWARD FOR
FOOD SAFETY 2005.
Selection of authentic Indian dishes.
Catered for groups / families /
special occasions. No colouring or
artificial flavourings used.
Three course special lunch at £7.50.
THE CHEQUERS
51 London Road West 01494 727866
Family-run inn – 7 rooms / 4 ensuite.
Nice friendly atmosphere. Open all day.
Breakfast 7 days a week. Lunchtime bar food.
38 Whielden Street 01494 721958 (Fax: 01494 725208)
Built in 1530 from old ships’ timbers and steeped
in character – originally a travellers’ coaching inn.
The stables have been converted into bedrooms
overlooking a secluded garden and patio. All rooms
ensuite, one boasting a magnificent hand-carved
mahogany four-poster bed. Our in-house chef offers delicious
home-cooked food lunchtimes and evenings from our extensive menu.
14
SEVERN HOUSE
High Street 01494 725352
Comfortable family B & B.
Lovely old house.
In the heart of the town.
B E D & B R E A K FA S T
THE SARACENS HEAD INN (E-mail: bookings@thesaracensheadinn.com)
See also AMBERS OF AMERSHAM’S River
Room Restaurant and Tea Room on page 8.
15
Angling
Contact Amersham Angling Centre on 01494 722574 for
a broadsheet with details of fishing in the area.
Leisure Centre
At Amersham’s Chiltern Pools on Bensheim Way,
Chiltern Avenue, there are excellent leisure facilities.
These include swimming and diving pools, flumes, water
slide, petanque, netball and tennis. There is also a
gymnasium and climbing wall on site. Tel: 01494 788977.
Sports and leisure
The are many scenic walks around the town, including
those through the Memorial Gardens and Church Mead,
as well as in the surrounding Chiltern Hills. Football,
cricket and hockey may be played at Barn Meadow,
alongside the River Misbourne. There is also a range of
leisure activities on offer nearby.
Golf
Harewood Downs Golf Club at nearby Cokes Lane has an
18-hole course (see advert on page 18).
Horse riding
Shardeloes Farm Equestrian Centre, Cherry Lane,
Woodrow, near Old Amersham. Tel: 01494 433333.
Cricket
Amersham Cricket Club plays at Shardeloes Park
Tel: Paul Haddock on 01494 723609.
HAWKES DESIGN & PUBLISHING
59a The Broadway, High St, Chesham 01494 793000
Graphic design business specialising
in print for heritage, tourism and
environmental/conservation projects.
www.hawkesdesign.co.uk
16
17
Out and about
How to get here
By road
AMERSHAM MUSEUM
49 High Street 01494 723700
Award-winning small museum of local
history in a restored 15th century house,
with a colourful and peaceful herb garden. Open Easter to October:
Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays, 2pm – 4.30pm.
Also open at the same times from June to September on Wednesday
and Thursday afternoons. Guided walks around the old town at
2.30pm every Sunday from Easter to end October.
Old Amersham is only an hour’s drive
from London or half an hour from West
London, Aylesbury, High Wycombe and
Watford. Take Junction 18 off the M25
or Junction 2 off the M40. The town is
situated along the A413 at the junction
with the A404, A355 and A416.
By public transport
HAREWOOD DOWNS GOLF CLUB
Cokes Lane, Chalfont St Giles 01494 762184.
Visitors and societies welcome.
FOX’S OUTDOOR www.foxsoutdoor.co.uk
1 London Road (adjacent to Tesco’s) 01494 431431
From camping, walking and world
travel to skiing, snowboarding and
mountaineering, Fox’s prides itself
on stocking the leading brands for
clothing, footwear and equipment.
2006 – CELEBRATING
50 YEARS IN BUSINESS.
AMERSHAM AUCTION ROOMS
Station Road, Amersham-on-the-Hill 08700 46 06 06
Fine Art & Furniture
Valuers & Auctioneers since 1877
www.amershamauctionrooms.co.uk
OABA acknowledges the original Guide to Old Amersham, the Amersham & Little
Chalfont Guide and the Chiltern District Official Guide as sources of information.
18
The nearest station is Amersham-onthe-Hill. From London Baker Street it’s
40 minutes on the Underground’s
Metropolitan Line. Chiltern Railways
also connects Amersham with London
Marylebone (35 minutes) and
Aylesbury (25 minutes); see
www.chilternrailways.co.uk or
telephone 0845 748 4950 for more
details and train times. Bus services are
available and can be checked at
www.buckscc.gov.uk/travelinfo or
www.travelinesoutheast.org.uk or by
telephone on 0870 608 2608.
On foot or by bicycle
Old Amersham is well served by public
footpaths and has good connections
with the extensive path network of
the Chiltern Hills, an Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
– see www.chilternsaonb.org. Details
of individual routes as well as the
Chiltern Heritage Trail are available
from Chiltern District Council (see
advert on page 17) and from local
libraries.
19
Town map
15
This artistic interpretation of Old Amersham’s main streets
will help you locate some of the points of interest, along
with the shops, services and visitor attractions that feature
in this Guide. The main car park is also located, with
access from the end of the Broadway.
13
1
6
5
2
8
9
10
11
14
12
7
KEY
3
18
16
4
17
19
ANTIQUE SHOPS
GIFT SHOPS
20
FASHION
OTHER SHOPS/GALLERIES
21
OTHER SERVICES
22
PLACES TO EAT, DRINK & STAY
OUT & ABOUT – VISITOR ATTRACTIONS
20
1
Severn House
10
Pentangle Studio
2
Norris Bazzard
11
Butterfly Lingerie
3
The Cupboard Antiques
12
Paul Costelloe
4
N S Lucas & Co
13
Rich
5
Laura
14
White Tulip
6
Chatterton’s
15
The Hawker Gallery
7
Liz Quilter
16
The Crown Hotel
8
Amersham Museum
17
Atkinsons Chartered Accountants
9
Su Chases Interiors
18
Fyne Things
21
27
24
31
26
To 37
25
28
29
30
23
Carringtons Delicatessen & Café
28
Penny Plain
20
All Ways Pacific Travel
29
Peking Empire Restaurant
21
Spice Society Indian Restaurant & Takeaway
30
Broadway Newsagents
31
Boho
32
Gerald Punton
33
Fox’s
19
22
22
Sundial Antiques
23
The Saracens Head Inn
24
Gilbey’s Restaurant
34
Amersham Auction Rooms
25
Pop Antiques
35
Ambers of Amersham
26
Alexander Collections
36
The Chequers
27
Spirit of the Andes
37
Harewood Downs Golf Club
23
Further information
Further information for visitors can be picked up in the Old
Town at The Crown Hotel, and behind the checkouts at Tesco’s.
Also at:
Wycombe Tourist Information Centre
01494 421892
Wendover Tourist Information Centre
01296 696759
Chiltern District Council Tourism & Marketing Unit
01494 732023
TRING
from
AYLESBURY
WENDOVER
E
R
A
S
N.
B
A4146
A41
BERKHAMSTED
HEMEL
HEMPSTEAD
J8
A41
M1
A413
B4505
A416
C
PRINCES
RISBOROUGH
H
I
L
T
N
.
.O
GREAT
MISSENDEN
B485
A41
CHESHAM
Chesham Bois
Little Missenden
AMERSHAM-ON-THE-HILL
Old Amersham
Woodrow
A404
A404
Little
Chalfont
Harewood
Downs
Coleshill
A355
HIGH WYCOMBE
CHALFONT
ST GILES
Chenies
f
J18
from WATFORD
A413
M25 from Marylebone
and Baker Street
J4
BEACONSFIELD
A40
J2
M40
from MARLOW
and MAIDENHEAD
GERRARDS
CROSS
from Marylebone
J1a
J16
from SLOUGH
from UXBRIDGE
and LONDON
For visitor details on places to stay and visit
in the Chiltern District, go to:
www.chiltern.gov.uk
www.visitbuckinghamshire.org
© 2005 Hawkes Design & Publishing 01494 793000
www.hawkesdesign.co.uk. Published by Old Amersham Business Association
Photography © Ian Freeman of Chiltern Photographic Images
Additional photography © Matt Fowler, c/o Chiltern District Council
and Mike Furse, OABA. Town map by Trevor Richardson