Little Gaddesden

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Little Gaddesden is a village in the English county of Hertfordshire. As well as Little Gaddesden village (population 694), the parish contains the settlements of Ashridge (population 53), Hudnall (population 139), and part of Ringshall (population 81).[1]

Part of the parish was formerly in Buckinghamshire. This includes Witchcraft Bottom, notable as the alleged location where the last witch in Buckinghamshire was tried and hanged.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Population figures are taken from Hertfordshire County Council: Population and household counts for Hertfordshire settlements - 2001 census.

Little Gaddesden and the surrounding villages are most certainly one of the most attractive, spectacular and beautiful locations in the Chilterns. The whole area is a truly enchanting and peaceful place, full of fantastic scenery and walks.

The village of Little Gaddesden borders both Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire, whilst being situated in the county of Hertfordshire.

Little Gaddesden and the surrounding area of the Ashridge Estate is owned and managed by the National Trust. This area has been used in many famous films and TV programmes. The most recent being ‘Stardust’, ‘Harry Potter’ and ‘Cranford‘!

Little Gaddesden has some splendid period properties, of note: Ashridge House, (designed by Sir James Wyattville along with gardens and grounds designed by Sir Humphrey Repton and Capability Brown - Golden Valley) The Manor House situated on the Green along with John O’Gaddesden House and Marion House, Little Gaddesden House along Nettleden Rd heading towards the hamlet of Nettleden and the Old Rectory past the village shop heading to Ringshall.

The Ashridge Estate that surrounds the village is a 5,000-acre (20 km²) area of open countryside and woodland on the edge of the Chiltern Hills, with a rich variety of wildlife including fallow dear, mutjac and the renowned red kite. There is also The Monument Tea Room selling Home-Made cakes, Tea, Coffee and more... There is vast areas of mature woodlands with carpets of spring bluebells and fine Autumnal displays, along with the splendid panorama from the Duke of Bridgewater Monument

The location is fantastic for commuters being only half an hour by train to central London. With this in mind, I truly rate this area as one of the absolute best places to live in the south of England. With its great transport links, countryside and sense of community, this is certainly a superb place to live. (N.B I have visited many rural areas outside London with a means to escape to one day, and none of them have ever compared to this fantastic area.)

Local amenities include the famous Ashridge Golf Course, award wining Alford Arms public house, Bridgewater Arms public house, and the world renowned business college at Ashridge House.

A ten minute drive to takes you to the Historic town of Berkhamsted. This is a delightful, atmospheric town full of great charm and amenities. The neighbouring Historic town of Tring is also worth a visit, especially to see the Tring Zoological Museum built by Walter Rothschild, 2nd Baron Rothschild, who lived in Tring Park.

John Simmons

[edit] External links

[edit] Further reading

J. Leonhardt, A Century Remembered: The Millennium Book for Little Gaddesden, Ringshall, Hudnall and Ashridge, Rural Heritage Society, 2002, ISBN 0-9542174-0-3.

Coordinates: 51°48′N, 0°33′W

  This Hertfordshire location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.