Great Gaddesden, Hertfordshire
The parish of Great Gaddesden lies on the south-east spur of the Chiltern Hills, and is intersected by the valley of the river Gade. The valley is mainly composed of meadow-land, with the higher slopes covered with beech and fir woods.
Great Gaddesden
The large rural parish of Great Gaddesden extends from north of Hemel Hempstead to the county boundary with Bedfordshire, a distance of approximately four miles. Widely dispersed within this parish of less than a thousand people, are the villages of Great Gaddesden and Gaddesden Row and the hamlets of Bridens Camp, Water End and St Margarets.
Buildings of historical interest are to be found across the parish; Great Gaddesden village has the fine church of St John the Baptist dating from the 12th century. The Church was probably erected on the site of a pre-Christian sanctuary. The architecture of the church demonstrates features from every historical period since the 12th century; Part of the chancel built with Roman bricks dates back to the early 12th century. The original church was extended by the south aisle in the 13th century and the north aisle in the 14th century, the west tower was constructed in the 15th century and the north chapel in the 18th century. The village also boasts a recently restored Cruck barn and superb examples of early 17th century cottages.
The Golden Parsonage is to be found at Gaddesden Row. A red brick classical early 18th century house with glazed brick 'giant' pilasters it is believed to have been built on the foundations of an earlier, mediaeval structure. The house was restored and refurbished in 1935, following 60 years as a school. The Golden Parsonage has 5 acres of gardens and overlooks surrounding farm and parkland. It is open to special interest groups by prior arrangement.
Historic buildings found at Gaddesden Row also include two 17th century houses; The Hoo and Stags End House, and Gaddesen Place built by Thomas Wyatt in 1768. Gaddesden Place was rebuilt in 1905 following a devastating fire.
In the nearby hamlet of Water End are the 13th century Gaddesden Hall and Noke Mill which is referred to in the Domesday Book. In addition, the cottages within the hamlet date from the 13th to the 16th century.
The parish is unique in that all of the land is devoted to either agricultural or forestry use.
The River Gade, a chalk stream, is an important feature of the parish; its clear water is used for watercress beds and is also popular with walkers. The rare habitat of a chalk stream, with its clear water and stable conditions is able to support many varieties of plants and animals, including rare species such as the water vole.
The parish of Great Gaddesden lies within the Chiltern Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There are a number of waymarked walks from Great Gaddesden enabling visitors to enjoy the countryside of the Chilterns, an area of outstanding natural beauty. Please see the links below for maps and further details:
http://www.walkingbritain.co.uk/walks/walks/walk_b/2999/
http://www.walkingbritain.co.uk/walks/walks/walk_b/2795/
http://www.chilternsaonb.org/downloads/publications/GadeValleyaw.pdf
