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Home > Wendover
> History
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Wendover was first mentioned in
the Doomsday Book in 1086 where it was referred to as "Wendovre".
Before then, it was also mentioned in 970 in the will of the
Aeldorman of Wiltshire and Hampshire. Wendover was initially
a very small market village which was mainly a base for agricultural
industry. The market has been held since 1199 during the reign
of King John, and is still held every Thursday. Other forms
of work in Wendover would include lace making and straw plaiting. |
| Wendover is a town full of buildings
of historical interest which appear to have hardly altered over
the years. Many of these can be found in the streets surrounding
the High Street. The Cold Harbour cottages which exist on the
Tring road date back to Henry VIII when he gave them to his
wife Catherine of Aragon. |
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Wendover is renowned
for its Public Houses which are scattered throughout the town,
and seem almost disproportionate to its size. During 1577, an
inventory was made of all of the public houses and Inns, and
Wendover is recorded as having one tavern and eight Inns at
that time. This could be due to the fact that the town was placed
so strategically close to London, and yet far enough for those
traveling via coach or horse back to need to stop and refresh. |
| One of the oldest Public Houses
in Wendover is the Red Lion, originally named the Lion. Records
date it back as far as 1670 although it is likely to be very
much older. Initially it was used as a fine Coaching Inn, and
as a meeting point for the local councilors. Another ancient
coaching Inn is The George & Dragon which was recorded in
1578 and is placed near the centre of the town was another popular
place for people to stay on their way into London. |
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This town is surrounded by spectacular
scenery, and is protected by a Green Belt, to help preserve
the natural beauty. Built partly on the Chiltern Hills which
used to gently slope into a small village, Wendover has now
expanded to accommodate to increasing numbers of people living
in Wendover for its convenient location next to a direct line
into London Marylebone, whilst enjoying the strong countryside
and rural feel of a town that is also full of every commercial
need. |
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