Saunderton: History, Landscape and Nature

Saunderton combines a multilayered local history with the landscape of the Chiltern Hills. Those planning a trip can combine medieval sites, Roman remains, churches, wildlife watching and walking routes here, focusing on different interests. The Domesday Book entry records Saunderton as a medieval and post-medieval settlement.

Medieval Sites and Roman Remains

The Saunderton moat complex is particularly illustrative. The fortified medieval site, surrounded by a moat, lies 430 m north of Church Farm and is well preserved. The complex also includes the remains, preserved in the ground, of an adjoining medieval church and cemetery. Its location is closely connected with the landscape: the complex lies in a sheltered hollow between two converging streams at the northern end of a broad valley in the Chiltern Hills.

A Romano-British villa, sometimes referred to as “Saunderton Villa”, lies south of the road between Princes Risborough and Bledlow. Further historical traces can be found near Lodge Hill Farm. There, a Roman villa overlies the north-eastern corner of a trapezoidal site enclosed by ditches and dating from the late Iron Age. In aerial photographs, the villa can be identified by cropmarks and soil discolouration. Its H-shaped floor plan is documented; there may have been a bath at its southern end.

Church, Moats and Local History

Saunderton’s Church of St Mary is a Grade II* listed parish church. For travellers interested in cultural history, it complements the traces visible elsewhere in the landscape or preserved in the ground. In Roundabout Wood, earthworks of a medieval moat recorded during a field survey can be found. The field with the moat is probably the site of Brown's Manor.

The historic agricultural landscape has also been documented: a description of Saunderton in the Domesday Book records a mill and woodland for 50 pigs. Together with the settlement history, this creates a picture that encompasses not only individual buildings but also the earlier use of the place.

Nature and Paths in the Chiltern Hills

Alongside the archaeological themes, the landscape and its habitats offer points of interest in their own right. The Duke of Burgundy butterfly has been recorded in a newly restored habitat in Saunderton. At Long Orchard, work focused on creating a mosaic of calcareous grassland and scrub vegetation. Those wishing to combine wildlife watching with exercise can also consider a local Chilterns walking series, which follows various routes through Saunderton.

A special religious event is Choral Evensong at Saunderton: St Mary & St Nicholas. It takes place at 6 pm on every fifth Sunday of the month. If this date fits your travel plans, the stay can be enhanced with a specific musical experience.

Getting There and Choosing Accommodation

Saunderton railway station is an important reference point when planning your journey. It is on the London Marylebone to Birmingham line, operated by Chiltern Railways. When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday house in Saunderton, you can therefore first consider whether historical discoveries, wildlife watching, a walking holiday or a specific church event should be the main focus. This allows you to choose your accommodation according to your desired travel theme without having to limit yourself to just one type of excursion.

The different sites offer different emphases: the moat complex and the villa at Lodge Hill Farm will appeal to visitors interested in cultural history, while the Chilterns routes, the restored habitat and Long Orchard focus attention on the landscape and nature. For a trip involving several interests, a flexible daily itinerary is therefore advisable, allowing you to arrange the individual themes according to the weather, schedule and personal pace.

Discover More Destinations

If you would like to compare other destination pages for your travel planning in addition to Saunderton, here is a selection: Easington, Ivinghoe, Wendover, Slough, Hazlemere, Pitstone, Beaconsfield and Loudwater.

For the higher-level travel overview: Buckinghamshire.