Saunderton

Saunderton

SS Mary and Nicholas parish church
Saunderton
 Saunderton shown within Buckinghamshire
OS grid referenceSU8198
   – London 33 mi (53 km)  
Civil parishBledlow-cum-Saunderton
DistrictWycombe
Shire countyBuckinghamshire
RegionSouth East
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post town High Wycombe
Postcode district HP14
Dialling code 01494
Police Thames Valley
Fire Buckinghamshire
Ambulance South Central
EU Parliament South East England
UK ParliamentWycombe
WebsiteBledlow-cum-Saunderton Parish Council
List of places
UK
England
Buckinghamshire

Coordinates: 51°42′N 0°51′W / 51.7°N 0.85°W / 51.7; -0.85

Saunderton is a village in the Misbourne Valley in the Chiltern Hills, Buckinghamshire, England. It is in the civil parish of Bledlow-cum-Saunderton (where the 2011 Census population is included), about 3 1⁄2 miles (6 km) northwest of High Wycombe and about 4 1⁄2 miles (7 km) south of Princes Risborough. It is on the A4010 road, and is served by Saunderton railway station on the Chiltern Main Line.

History

The toponym "Saunderton" is derived from Old English, but its original meaning is not clear. The Domesday Book of 1086 records it as Santesdune, leading some scholars to believe that the village name derives from "saint's hill".

In the 18th century a workhouse was founded in Saunderton, which in the Victorian era became the main workhouse for the Union of High Wycombe. It became one of the most secure houses in the region and regular absconders from other workhouses were often moved here because of its remote location. Inmates were taken to the workhouse by a constable, but if they wanted to leave they had a long walk ahead of them.

Saunderton Estate is in the village. The building was constructed in 1959 and redeveloped in 1994 with the addition of two wings of two-storey offices.

Parish church

The Church of England parish church of SS Mary and Nicholas was built in 1227 and originally dedicated solely to St Mary. But Saunderton had a second parish church, St Nicholas, that fell into decay. In 1452 St Nicholas' church was demolished, and St Mary's was given the double dedication to St Nicholas as well.[1]

In 1886 the church's walls began to lean inwards, so the church was margely dismantled in 1888 and rebuilt over the next three years.[1] Its 12th- or 13th-century font was reused and the 14th-century windows were restored and re-used. It is a Grade II* listed building.[2]

The church has a small, timber-framed bell tower. It has three bells, all of which the bellfounder Alexander Rigby of Stamford, Lincolnshire cast in 1699. For technical reasons they are currently unringable.[3]

SS Mary and Nicholas church is part of the parish of Bledlow with Saunderton and Horsenden,[4] which in turn is part of the Benefice of Risborough.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 Hall, Cynthia. "Saunderton, St Mary & St Nicholas". The Parish of Bledlow with Saunderton and Horsenden. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
  2. ↑ Historic England. "Church of St Mary (sic)  (Grade II*) (1332059)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
  3. ↑ Davies, Peter (23 December 2006). "Saunderton SS Mary & Nicholas". Dove's Guide for Church Bell Ringers. Central Council for Church Bell Ringers. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
  4. ↑ Archbishops' Council. "Bledlow with Saunderton and Horsenden". A Church Near You. Church of England. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
  5. ↑ Archbishops' Council. "Benefice of Risborough". A Church Near You. Church of England. Retrieved 11 April 2015.

Further reading

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