Scheduled monuments in Buckinghamshire explained

There are 121 scheduled monuments in the county of Buckinghamshire, in England.[1] These protected sites date from the Neolithic period in some cases and include barrows, moated sites, ruined abbeys, Iron Age hillforts, a medieval hospital and a holy well.[2] In the United Kingdom, the scheduling of monuments was first initiated to ensure the preservation of "nationally important" archaeological sites or historic buildings. Protection is given to scheduled monuments under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.[3]

Notable scheduled monuments in Buckinghamshire

ImageNameLocationDateNotes
Ascott HouseAscott16 to 17th centuriesThe monument includes the buried and above-ground remains of the 16th/17th century mansion and the formal gardens dating from the 16th to 18th centuries.
Bradwell Abbey1154The monument includes the remains of the 12th century Benedictine Priory and the 14th century chapel and surrounding area, including a medieval fishpond.
Cholesbury CampIron AgeA well-preserved multivallate Iron Age hillfort. The monument consists of most of the original earthworks.
Cymbeline's CastleNortheast of Great Kimble11th centuryA well-preserved small motte-and-bailey castle. The prominent position of the castle contributed to its important role after the Norman Conquest overseeing critical transportation routes .
Desborough CastleIron AgeThe monument consists of two areas of protection: Desborough Castle, a medieval ringwork locally known as The Roundabout, and the likely remains of a round barrow.
Hawridge Court ringworkBledlow-cum-Saunderton9th to 12th centuriesWell preserved example of a medieval fortification. The defenses are mostly unaltered, reaching almost their full original height.
Hospital of St John the Baptist, High WycombeHigh Wycombelate 12th centuryWell-preserved remains of a medieval hospital, which include significant architectural remains of a 12th-century infirmary hall and chapel along with structural remains below the surface.
Lavendon AbbeyLavendon1154–1158A Premonstratensian abbey dedicated to St John the Baptist. The protected area includes the site of the Abbey, fishponds and a portion of a surrounding field system.[4]
Notley AbbeyLong Crendon12th centuryThe monument consists of the buried remains of the Augustinian abbey and the nearby 16th century dovecote. The well-preserved dovecote retains many of its original features.
St Rumbold's WellBuckingham
51.9962°N -0.9973°W
Early medieval eraAnglo-Saxon holy well dedicated to the infant St Rumbold. In 1623, a rectangular conduit house was built over the top of the well.[5]
Thornborough BridgeThornborough1400 ADThe only surviving medieval bridge in Buckinghamshire. The bridge crosses the parish boundaries of Thornborough and Buckingham.[6]
Weston Turville CastleWeston TurvilleMedievalThe motte-and-bailey castle was slighted in the 1170s.[7]
Whiteleaf CrossWhiteleafPossibly c.500-50 BC A hill figure in the shape of a cross cut into the chalk on the west facing slope of Whiteleaf Hill near Monks Risborough. The origin of the figure is unknown.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Scheduled monuments: Buckinghamshire . Historic England . 4 February 2023.
  2. Web site: Scheduled Ancient Monuments in the Historic County of Dorset . Ancient Monuments UK . 28 January 2023.
  3. Web site: Scheduled Monuments . Historic England . 28 January 2023.
  4. Web site: House of Premonstratensian canons: The abbey of Lavendon . British History Online.
  5. Web site: St Rumbold of Buckingham . University of Buckingham . 5 February 2023.
  6. Web site: Historic Bridges of Buckinghamshire: Thornborough Bridge . Oxbow Books . 23 July 2021 . 5 February 2023.
  7. Web site: Historic England Research Records: The Mount . 2024-04-02 . Heritage Gateway.