Cadsden
Encyclopedia
Cadsden is a hamlet in South Buckinghamshire situated in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty between Princes Risborough
and Great Missenden
; once split between Upper Cadsden, and Lower Cadsden, it is now known as just Cadsden. Cadsden is in the ecclesiastical parish of Monks Risborough
and was formerly part of the Manor of Monks Risborough
.
In the 18th century, excise men were stationed in the area as contraband traffic was known to pass through on its way north. Not having any official lodgings, the 'Cats' as they were nicknamed, improvised their own crude structures. The last remains of one of these brick and flint buildings were demolished during the 1970s to make way for what is now The Plough Public House's kitchen. The Plough was originally a staging post for the stage coaches travelling from Thame to London; they stopped there to pick up an extra two horses to get up and over Longdown Hill.
Because of the 'Cats' improvised lodgings, the area became known locally as 'The Cats Den'. Documents dating from 1836 refer to the hamlet as Catsdean, and this has gradually changed to take its present spelling, Cadsden.
The original 'Cats' buildings dated from around 1610 and were developed into four 'charchol burner' cottages which form the present structure (see picture).
The railway infrastructure in the area was much upgraded in 2011 with the Chiltern Mainline project. The two nearest mainline railway stations are Princes Risborough (3 miles, 33 mins to Marylebone) and Great Missenden (9 miles, 40 mins to Marylebone) with a branchline station at Monks Risborough (1 mile, 52 mins to Marylebone). Sarah Harding
from Girls Aloud
is a resident of Cadsden.
The Plough at Cadsden is a favourite country pub for many of the local celebrities, Mark Webber the F1 driver, Sarah Harding, Tom Crane the DJ, JK from Jamiroquai, Harry Enfield, David and Samantha Cameron have all been seen drinking in the Plough. There is even an old picture of Ted Heath propping the bar up at the Plough, a copy of which can be seen on the Plough's website
It is said that in 1643 a wake was held here for John Hampden
by his beloved Greencoats, whilst escorting his body back to the family home at Great Hampden from Thame, where he died following the Battle of Chalgrove
Every year on the first Sunday in August there is a Cherry Pie Festival which has been a tradition in Cadsden for over 100 years.
Cadsden was featured in the Midsomers Murders episode "Down Among the Dead Men" where it was called Cadsden Ridge for TV purposes.
The Grangelands and Pulpit Hill in Cadsden are a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) with an array of wildlife including glow worms and the very rare bee orchid. Up on Pulpit Hill, set within Pulpit Woods, are the remains of an iron age hill fort, a scheduled ancient monument.
In 2009, Bucks County Council in partnership with Plantlife International(the RSPB of the plant world) started a Juniper conservation programme on Pulpit Hill where pens have been created to support Juniper growth.
Chequers
, the Prime Minister's country residence, is the first property encountered along The Ridgeway
path north east from Cadsden. This walk was featured in an article published by the Sunday Times in June 2010.
Whiteleaf Golf Course which occupies the land between Whiteleaf and Cadsden is a 9 hole course established in 1907. During the winter months when it snows, the Cadsden end of the course is used as a toboggan
field.
Princes Risborough
Princes Risborough is a small town in Buckinghamshire, England, about 9 miles south of Aylesbury and 8 miles north west of High Wycombe. Bledlow lies to the west and Monks Risborough to the east. It lies at the foot of the Chiltern Hills, at the north end of a gap or pass through the Chilterns,...
and Great Missenden
Great Missenden
Great Missenden is a large village in the Misbourne Valley in the Chiltern Hills in Buckinghamshire, England, situated between the towns of Amersham and Wendover. It closely adjoins the villages of Little Missenden and Prestwood. The narrow High Street is bypassed by the main A413 London to...
; once split between Upper Cadsden, and Lower Cadsden, it is now known as just Cadsden. Cadsden is in the ecclesiastical parish of Monks Risborough
Monks Risborough
Monks Risborough is a village and ecclesiastical parish in Buckinghamshire, England, lying between Princes Risborough and Great Kimble. The village lies at the foot of the northern scarp of the Chiltern Hills...
and was formerly part of the Manor of Monks Risborough
Monks Risborough
Monks Risborough is a village and ecclesiastical parish in Buckinghamshire, England, lying between Princes Risborough and Great Kimble. The village lies at the foot of the northern scarp of the Chiltern Hills...
.
In the 18th century, excise men were stationed in the area as contraband traffic was known to pass through on its way north. Not having any official lodgings, the 'Cats' as they were nicknamed, improvised their own crude structures. The last remains of one of these brick and flint buildings were demolished during the 1970s to make way for what is now The Plough Public House's kitchen. The Plough was originally a staging post for the stage coaches travelling from Thame to London; they stopped there to pick up an extra two horses to get up and over Longdown Hill.
Because of the 'Cats' improvised lodgings, the area became known locally as 'The Cats Den'. Documents dating from 1836 refer to the hamlet as Catsdean, and this has gradually changed to take its present spelling, Cadsden.
The original 'Cats' buildings dated from around 1610 and were developed into four 'charchol burner' cottages which form the present structure (see picture).
Sarah Harding
Sarah Nicole Harding is an English singer-songwriter, actress and model best known for being a member of the pop group Girls Aloud, formed through ITV's reality television programme Popstars: The Rivals...
from Girls Aloud
Girls Aloud
Girls Aloud are a British and Irish pop girl group based in London. They were created through the ITV1 talent show Popstars The Rivals in 2002. The group consists of Cheryl Cole , Nadine Coyle, Sarah Harding, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh. They are signed to Fascination Records, a Polydor...
is a resident of Cadsden.
The Plough at Cadsden is a favourite country pub for many of the local celebrities, Mark Webber the F1 driver, Sarah Harding, Tom Crane the DJ, JK from Jamiroquai, Harry Enfield, David and Samantha Cameron have all been seen drinking in the Plough. There is even an old picture of Ted Heath propping the bar up at the Plough, a copy of which can be seen on the Plough's website
It is said that in 1643 a wake was held here for John Hampden
John Hampden
John Hampden was an English politician, the eldest son of William Hampden, of Hampden House, Great Hampden in Buckinghamshire, John Hampden (ca. 15951643) was an English politician, the eldest son of William Hampden, of Hampden House, Great Hampden in Buckinghamshire, John Hampden (ca. 15951643)...
by his beloved Greencoats, whilst escorting his body back to the family home at Great Hampden from Thame, where he died following the Battle of Chalgrove
Every year on the first Sunday in August there is a Cherry Pie Festival which has been a tradition in Cadsden for over 100 years.
Cadsden was featured in the Midsomers Murders episode "Down Among the Dead Men" where it was called Cadsden Ridge for TV purposes.
The Grangelands and Pulpit Hill in Cadsden are a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) with an array of wildlife including glow worms and the very rare bee orchid. Up on Pulpit Hill, set within Pulpit Woods, are the remains of an iron age hill fort, a scheduled ancient monument.
In 2009, Bucks County Council in partnership with Plantlife International(the RSPB of the plant world) started a Juniper conservation programme on Pulpit Hill where pens have been created to support Juniper growth.
Chequers
Chequers
Chequers, or Chequers Court, is a country house near Ellesborough, to the south of Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire, England, at the foot of the Chiltern Hills...
, the Prime Minister's country residence, is the first property encountered along The Ridgeway
The Ridgeway
thumb|right|thumb|The ancient tree-lined path winds over the downs countrysideThe Ridgeway is a ridgeway or ancient trackway described as Britain's oldest road...
path north east from Cadsden. This walk was featured in an article published by the Sunday Times in June 2010.
Whiteleaf Golf Course which occupies the land between Whiteleaf and Cadsden is a 9 hole course established in 1907. During the winter months when it snows, the Cadsden end of the course is used as a toboggan
Toboggan
A toboggan is a simple sled which is a traditional form of transport used by the Innu and Cree of northern Canada. In modern times, it is used on snow to carry one or more people down a hill or other slope for recreation. Designs vary from simple, traditional models to modern engineered composites...
field.