Winslow

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Winslow
Buckinghamshire
High Street, Winslow - geograph.org.uk - 438648.jpg
High Street, Winslow
Location
Grid reference: SP7627
Location: 51°56’25"N, 0°53’13"W
Data
Population: 4,519  (2001)
Post town: Buckingham
Postcode: MK18
Dialling code: 01296
Local Government
Council: Buckinghamshire
Parliamentary
constituency:
Buckingham

Winslow is a small market town in northern Buckinghamshire. It has a population of about 4,500.

The town was first recorded in the charter by which King Offa granted it to St Albans Abbey in 792/3 as Wineshauue,[1] which translated into modern English means Wine's Mound. In the Domesday Book of 1086 it was recorded as Weneslai.

A late Celtic copper torc has been found here, and also a silver drinking-cup of late Roman design.[2]

Notable buildings

St Laurence, Winslow

One of the finer buildings in Buckinghamshire is situated in this small town. Winslow Hall, which sits on the main road leading into the town from Aylesbury. It was built possibly from the designs of Sir Christopher Wren by William Lowndes, secretary to the Treasury.[2] His name and the date 1700 are to be seen on the frieze over the door.

The parish church is St Lawrence. It stands in High Street and dates from about 1320.[2] The church has a ring of 8 bells,[2] the heaviest weighing 19 cwt.

The half-timbered Bell Hotel was first recorded in the late 16th Century[3] and soon became the main hostelry in the town.[2]

Entertainments

The Whaddon Chase fox hunt has traditionally met in the Town Square at Winslow every Boxing Day for many years. The occasion is very well attended with over a thousand people visiting the town on Boxing Day each year. The Silver Band from the nearby village of Great Horwood playing Christmas carols are always in attendance.

Other annual events in the town include a beer festival in March, and The Winslow Show, a gymkhana and agricultural show which is held every August across the road from Winslow Hall.

Sport

  • Cricket: Winslow Town Cricket Club
  • Football: Winslow United FC

Outside links

References