Old Amersham High Street

The generous width of Old Amersham’s High Street reflects its medieval tradition of weekly markets and an annual ‘chartered’ fair, rights granted by King John in 1200. It is still possible to distinguish the long, thin plots known as burgages on the south side of the High Street which were rented to tradesmen. Their houses lined the street at the front of these plots, with the rear used for workshops, livestock and cultivation. The south side was controlled by the borough and residents could vote for two Members of Parliament to which the borough was entitled. The Lord of the Manor, therefore, made sure this was an area of good repute in order to reap votes for family members. Today, this area is a popular residential area featuring many barn conversions and cottages.

The borough did not extend to the north side of the High Street—this land belonged to the Rector. His former residence can still be seen perched on top of the hill above the town. The development on the north side of the High Street was not so well controlled, resulting in the random development of narrow plats that back onto the River Misbourne. As a result, a broad High Street of mixed architectural heritage has been established.

On each side of the street are historic façades in a variety of styles, with 18th-century stucco and brick, Medieval timber frames and a row of gables at the east end. It is here that you will find the Market Hall, built in 1682 as a gift to the townsfolk from the Drake family.

Old Amersham was on the stagecoach network until the arrival of rail travel, and you can see an example of a coaching inn at the King’s Arms Hotel (No.30), which dates back to the 1400s. The façade of this building was used in Four Weddings and A Funeral (1994), which was filmed in the Crown Hotel further along the street.