Curiosities in the Chilterns

A fast-moving circular tour of the Chilterns looking at the odd, rare and unusual aspects of life many years ago starting and finishing in Reading, Berkshire.

looks at the city of Reading before moving east towards Maidenhead, Cookham and Windsor and then north via Amersham and Berkhamsted right in to the mid-Chilterns countryside returning through Wendover, Thame and Beaconsfield finishing with the area around High Wycombe.

"Summer is a'coming in"
The first pop song ever was written by the monks iin Reading Abbey way back in 1240. If only they had known what it would lead to ! ! !

IIs some-one making fun out of our English Heritage plates ?
Seen on a house in Zinzan Street
(now removed)

A very rare Victorian Pillar box in the High Street.
Designed by a guy called William Penfold, it would have been cast around 1860.

"The Church's One Foundation" - composed by famous hymnwriter S J Stone while he was living in Western Cottage.

Probably the most bizarre curiosity in the Chilterns, the Earl Howe figurehead stands just outside The Lea.
What a Liberty ! !

A very colourful front gate to a timber framed cottage in Winslow.
I believe the owner was a bit of a character although not everybody shared his artistic and flashy sense of decoration.

A little village drinking fountain erected in 1897 to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubillee

".....60 years of the reign of her most gracious majesty".

Implement Gate - a modern curiosity created from redundant tools and implements from local farms.

The tithing stone - erected by a local farmer to mark an important decision made by the Court of Appeal in May 1827.
He wanted to make sure that other farmers would not be incorrectly sued.

Jarman's Coffin - a rather bizarre shaped chimney box on The Manor House.
There are links to ghostly hauntings and witchcraft leading to an exorcism in the 1930's.
Any truth in all of this?

This shop used to be the community Bath House.
A hot bath would have cost you Six Pence.

This totem pole, on the banks of the Grand Union canal, was a gift from Canada to celebrate a very productive and profitable order to export redwood to the wood yard in town.

The bell tower at the Church is topped with a hollow gold-leafed globe capable of accommodating a small party.
Hell Fire ! ! !

starts in Marlow and looks at the Fawley and Hambleden areas on the way to Henley-on-Thames from where we go, via Watlington and Ewelme up to Headington just outside Oxford returning to Reading by way of Warborough, Ipsden, Stoke Row and the countryside around Pangbourne.

A very pretty memorial for Charles Frohman who lost his life in the sinking of ss Lusitania in 1915.
The young lady was a member of his Marlow drama school and had played Peter Pan.

What's the missing town on top - Click on the thumbnail and you will see Hatfield.
These Hatfield stones date back to the days of toll roads and the Cecil family of Hatfield House

A stern warning sign for Traction Engine drivers crossing the bridge over the River Thames.

Most unusual patterned wall made up from old wallpaper pattern printing blocks.
Definitely Arts and Crafts.

A very bright little village well known as Rebecca's Well.
Installed by the Reverend Phillimore in 1870, it includes the words "... Let I pray thee drink a little water of thy pitcher."

Do we have to lower the tone?
An unfortunate modern sign which could have been worded slightly differently.

The Maharajah's Well - a gift to the villagers from the Maharajah of Benares so that they could have fresh water. Installed in 1863, it is a classic curiosity.

This cairn recalls the International Ploughing Match which took place in 1956. Unveiled by HRH The Duke of Gloucester.

It's not raining cats and dogs - more like monster sharks. An unusual roof extension although looking a bit tatty last time I saw it.

Do we assume this man does not welcome visitors to his mansion at Friar Park ? Now removed, this was erected by the late George Harrison in his bid for privacy.

A stern warning sign to be careful how you get rid of domestic waste. Ewelme was a major producer of watercress and the crops would be damaged if the fresh water supply was polluted.

Dating back to 1833, this shop front reminds us that Mr Kitchen was the town's Tallow Chandler.
With no gas or electricity, houses would rely on candle power for light at night.

This model fort reminds us that the US Army were stationed here in the last war.
The camp was later used to house Polish refugees.

We return to Reading, at last, completing our tour of the Chilterns but it's no thanks to the signwriter who clearly needs another year or two at uni ! !
(now removed)

This tiny front garden in Eastern Dene is dominated by Goldilocks and her Three Bears.
Who's been sitting in my garden?