Amersham: History, Walks and Special Discoveries

Amersham combines two clearly distinct areas with a remarkable concentration of history, walking routes and special experiences. Since the Metropolitan Railway arrived in 1892, Amersham-on-the-Hill and Old Amersham have formed part of the town’s characteristic appearance. The railway station is in the New Town; from there, you can reach the Old Town in 20 minutes on foot or four minutes by taxi. This distinction can also help you choose a holiday apartment: depending on your travel plans, being close to your arrival point or staying in the historic town centre may be the more suitable starting point.

Old Amersham between the Market, Church and Medieval Traces

Many of the most impressive historical sights are concentrated in Old Amersham. The High Street features façades with 18th-century stucco and brickwork, medieval timber-framed houses and a series of gables at the eastern end. On the south side, you can also make out the long, narrow medieval plots known as burgage plots, which were once rented to craftsmen.

A prominent landmark is the historic Market Hall. It was built in 1682 and given to the residents of Old Amersham by Sir William Drake. The Old Amersham Market takes place under its roof on Saturdays from 9 am to 3 pm. Those who enjoy combining local history with a lively visit can include the market in their day’s plans.

St. Mary’s Amersham is the old parish church in the centre of Old Amersham and dates from around 1140. Numerous memorials in the Drake Chapel commemorate the Drake family. Guided tours of the chapel are part of the annual Amersham Heritage Day in September; Tudor Taster Walks are also on the programme. A guided Tudor Walk offers insights into life and death in 16th-century Amersham, led by guides in Tudor costume.

Museums with Unusual Details

The Amersham Museum is housed largely in a medieval Hall House and also has a medicinal herb garden. The museum offers guided walks; the guided Town Walks take place every second Sunday from April to October. For a trip focused on local history, such a tour can be combined well with a visit to the old streets.

A completely different collection awaits you at the Amersham Fair Organ Museum. The instruments include works by Gavioli, Marenghi, Hooghuys, Wilhelm Bruder Söhne and Gebr. Weber. Many instruments feature painted automata that move to the music. This makes the collection not only a glimpse into historical technology but also an unusual experience for curious visitors of different ages.

Walks between the Railway Station, Countryside and Lake

Amersham can also be discovered through its walking routes. The “Midsomer Murders & More” walk is four miles long and leads to filming locations in Amersham. The route begins outside Amersham railway station and passes through beech woods and rolling fields on its way down to Old Amersham. Those who want to combine a longer walk with scenery and local history will find a different perspective on the two parts of the town here.

For a quieter, step-free route, the walk from Amersham to Little Missenden is a good option. It is flat, runs along the shore of Shardeloes Lake and is suitable for parents with all-terrain pushchairs. This allows you to vary your day between a historical visit and a break for exercise, without turning the trip into a purely museum-focused programme.

History, Gastronomy and Shared Discoveries

Amersham Food Tours are guided walks focusing on the town’s history and its independent food scene. The “Pigs and Perfume” tour invites you to explore Old Amersham from a culinary perspective. Such offerings complement the classic sights with an everyday view of the town. When looking for accommodation, you can therefore consider whether your trip should be shaped more by historical walks, markets, museums or culinary discoveries.

Amersham can be reached directly from central London via London Underground services on the Metropolitan line. For a holiday apartment in Amersham, this connection is an especially useful planning factor if you want to combine the town with excursions and a stay outside central London. Once there, the clear distinction between the railway station area and Old Amersham helps you organise your desired experiences sensibly.

Further Places for Planning Your Trip

If you would like to compare other destinations alongside Amersham, here are the nearby places directly around it: Chalfont St Giles, Iver, Botley, Buckingham, Great Missenden, Little Missenden, Waddesdon and Flackwell Heath.

For the broader travel overview: Buckinghamshire.