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estling in the heart of the Chiltern Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Amersham is an ideal base from which to explore the countryside with a network of footpaths and cycling routes. In the winter, see the sculptural shapes of beech, oak and ash; in the spring walk through bluebell woods and later enjoy the bright green of new leaf, in the summer walk or cycle in the shade cast by woodland and in autumn kick up piles of red and orange leaves; and at any time emerge from the woods and marvel at the rolling hills and fields stretching out below. Attractions include the Memorial Gardens which, each year form a vibrant centrepiece in Amersham Town’s Britain in Bloom entry which has been awarded Gold five years in succession. Just outside the Memorial Gardens a large illustrated town map explains historical features of the town.This can be downloaded at www.amershamsociety.org. The recently expanded Amersham Museum is a real gem with many hands-on experiences for children throughout. St Mary’s Church has a free guide explaining features in the 11-14th century building including a rich collection of monuments in the Drake Chapel which is open every Sunday from11.30-12.30 and at other times by arrangement with the parish administrator. Established where a roman road crossed the river Misbourne, Amersham is listed in Domesday Book (1086). King John sold the right to hold a market in 1200 and the width of the High Street set out at this time allowed for cattle and sheep pens on market days. Amersham was sufficiently important in the Middle Ages that it sent two burgesses to the early Parliaments around 1300. This right lapsed soon afterwards but was re-asserted in 1624. As a result until 1832, while Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds had no MPs, Amersham had two! The Drake family bought all the houses where residents had the vote so they could oblige their tenants to vote for them. As a result there were no contested elections; it was a ‘pocket borough’ controlled by the Drake family. www.visitbuckinghamshire.org
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www.hamptons.co.uk
