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Mentmore

Mentmore is a village and civil parish in Buckinghamshire, England, situated approximately three miles east of the village of Wingrave and covering an area historically known as "Menta's moor" from Old English origins, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.^[1] With a population of 424 according to the 2021 Census, the parish retains a Victorian character, featuring Tudor-Victorian style houses and the 14th-century Church of St Mary the Virgin, which was restored by the Rothschild family in the 19th century.^[1] The village's manor has a long history, anciently held by families such as Bussel and Zouche before passing to Sir Reginald Bray in 1490, then to the Sandys family, and eventually purchased by Baron Mayer Amschel de Rothschild in 1850 for £12,400.^[2] The most prominent feature of Mentmore is Mentmore Towers, a Grade I listed mansion built between 1852 and 1854 in the Jacobethan style by architects Sir Joseph Paxton and George Henry Stokes for Baron Mayer Amschel de Rothschild (1818–1874), the fourth son of Nathan Mayer Rothschild.^[3] Constructed from Ancaster stone with corner towers, pilasters, and a balustraded parapet, the house was the first grand Rothschild property in the Vale of Aylesbury and featured innovative early central heating and hot water systems; it served as the foundation for the Château de Ferrières in France.^[3]^[4] Upon Mayer's death in 1874, the estate passed to his daughter Hannah, who married the Earl of Rosebery in 1878, and later to the Rosebery family until the contents were auctioned in 1977; the property was sold to the Maharishi Foundation in 1978 for £240,000 and then to property developer Simon Halabi in 1999 for £3 million.^[4] As of 2025, Mentmore Towers remains in commercial ownership but is in very bad condition with high vulnerability and a declining trend, placing it at immediate risk of further deterioration according to Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register; despite proposals for redevelopment into a luxury hotel, planning permission for which was upheld by the Court of Appeal in November 2025, the site has been largely abandoned since the early 2000s.^[5]^[6] The estate's park and gardens, also Grade II* listed, were expanded in the 1870s–80s and include historic features like a deer park and stag hounds maintained by the Rothschilds.^[7] Mentmore's legacy is tied to the Rothschild influence, which reshaped the local landscape, including relocating parts of the village to accommodate the towers and establishing farms and dairies that contributed to the area's agricultural heritage.^[1]

History

Pre-19th century

The name Mentmore derives from the Old English elements Mæn(t)ta and mor, meaning "the moor or marsh associated with a man named Mæn(t)ta," reflecting its early landscape features.^[8] The settlement's recorded forms include Mentemor from the 11th to 15th centuries and Mantemore in the 14th century, indicating continuity in its Anglo-Saxon naming tradition.^[8] Mentmore's origins trace back to Saxon times, with the manor first documented as the property of the noblewoman Eddeva Pulchra, known as "the Fair," wife of Edward the Confessor, who held extensive lands in the region before the Norman Conquest. Place-name origins suggest early settlement. Local legends associate Eddeva with a nearby hunting lodge, though no definitive structures have been identified.^[9] In the Domesday Book of 1086, Mentmore appears as Mentemore, part of Buckinghamshire and held by Hugh, Earl of Chester, under whom Robert was tenant; it was assessed at 18 hides and previously belonged to Eddeva the Fair.^[8] The entry records 10 households, comprising 5 villagers and 5 smallholders, with meadow sufficient for 3 ploughs, indicating a modest agrarian community in the post-Conquest landscape.^[8] During the medieval period, the manor passed through several prominent families, beginning with Osbert Martel before 1167 and Adulf de Braci before 1170.^[8] It then came to William de Cauntelo in the 13th century, whose descendants held it until it transferred to Millicent de la Zouche (died 1298) and later to William de la Zouche (died 1382); earlier associations link it to the Bussel family.^[8] In 1490, Henry VII granted the manor to Sir Reginald Bray, from whom it descended through the Bray family and, via female heirs, to the Sandys family by 1574–5.^[8] The nearby Berrysted manor, including a manor-house near the church, was sold in 1804.^[2] Medieval settlement remains are evident at adjacent Crafton, featuring earthworks of house platforms, fishponds, and a sample of the open field system that supported the local economy.^[10] In the early modern era, the manor remained with the Sandys until around 1593, when it passed to the Wigg (or Wigge) family, who constructed a half-timbered manor house that later served as the village's primary residence.^[8] This structure was re-faced in red brick and extended with a Georgian front in the 18th century.^[2] The property changed hands in 1729 when Lord Viscount Limerick purchased it, along with the manor of Ledburn, from Mr. Legoe, who had inherited it from the Wiggs.^[2] By 1806, Richard Harcourt acquired the estate, marking the transition toward 19th-century developments.^[2] By 1801, Mentmore's population stood at 279, divided between the main village (148 residents) and the hamlet of Ledburn (131 residents), reflecting a stable rural community on 1,575 acres of land.^[11] The soil consisted of stiff clay, suitable for growing wheat, barley, and beans, with 396 acres under arable cultivation and 65 acres devoted to woods and plantations.^[2]

19th century and the Rothschilds

In the 1830s, Baron Mayer Amschel de Rothschild (1818–1874), son of Nathan Mayer Rothschild, began acquiring land around Mentmore as part of the family's expansion into English country estates. His mother, Hannah Rothschild, purchased initial parcels in 1836, and by 1850, Mayer had bought the manor house from the trustees of William Harcourt for £12,400, amassing ownership of much of the parish and transforming it into a model estate with unified agricultural holdings.^[12]^[12] This consolidation shifted the local economy from fragmented farming to centralized estate management, incorporating farms, parkland, and infrastructure such as the Baptist chapel built in 1840, which Mayer acquired in 1862 and converted into a residence.^[13] Mentmore Towers, the centerpiece of the estate, was constructed between 1852 and 1854 under the direction of architect Sir Joseph Paxton, with assistance from George Stokes, in an Elizabethan and Jacobean revival style to serve as the family's principal country residence in the Vale of Aylesbury. The mansion featured modern innovations like central heating and a vast great hall measuring 40 feet by 50 feet and rising 100 feet high, set within landscaped grounds that included a stud farm at nearby Crafton. Estate development extended to model cottages designed by Stokes in the 1850s and later by George Devey in the 1870s, characterized by red-brick construction, tall chimneys, steep gabled roofs, and black-and-white timber framing, which reshaped the village layout around the Green.^[12]^[12]^[14] The Rothschild presence profoundly influenced Mentmore's social and economic fabric, providing employment to over 100 locals in estate maintenance, agriculture, and domestic service by 1900, with low rents—such as 1 shilling 4 pence weekly in 1877—fostering tenant loyalty. Hannah Rothschild built many estate cottages in the 1870s to house employees. Despite this, the population saw only a slight increase from 279 in 1801 to 289 by 1901. Mayer, who served as High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire in 1847 and MP for Hythe from 1859, used Mentmore Towers for equestrian pursuits and elite gatherings until his death in 1874, after which it passed to his daughter Hannah (1851–1890), who married Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery, and hosted political and social events there.^[14]^[14]^[12]

20th and 21st centuries

The decline of the Rothschild estate at Mentmore accelerated in the 20th century following the deaths of key family members and heirs, leading to piecemeal sales to cover inheritance taxes and economic pressures. After the death of the 6th Earl of Rosebery in 1973, his son, the 7th Earl, inherited the property burdened by substantial death duties; much of the surrounding estate had already been sold off in 1944, leaving primarily the mansion, grounds, formal gardens, and parts of the village. In response, the 7th Earl offered Mentmore Towers and its contents to the British government in 1974 for £2 million in lieu of taxes, proposing its use as a national museum, but the offer was rejected by the Labour administration amid fiscal constraints.^[4]^[12] This rejection prompted the auction of the house's renowned art and furnishings in May 1977 by Sotheby's, dubbed the "Sale of the Century," which fetched over £6 million and dispersed the Rothschild collection, including works by Gainsborough and Reynolds, marking a pivotal moment in British heritage preservation debates. The empty mansion and 81 acres were then sold in 1978 to the Maharishi Foundation for £240,000, which repurposed it as a headquarters for transcendental meditation and educational activities, occupying the site until placing it on the market in 1997. During the 1980s and 1990s, the foundation maintained the property amid broader village shifts, including the closure of the local school in 1963, which fell into near-ruin by the 1970s before being restored as a private dwelling.^[4]^[12]^[9] In 1999, the Maharishi Foundation sold Mentmore Towers to property developer Simon Halabi for £3 million; Halabi envisioned converting it into a luxury hotel with 101 suites and conference facilities, securing initial planning permission in 2004, but the project stalled due to financial difficulties, legal challenges from local objectors, and the 2008 economic crisis, leaving the Grade I listed building abandoned and deteriorating. The village itself saw population fluctuations, dipping to around 300 residents in the late 20th century before stabilizing near 400 by the 2010s, influenced by rural trends and proximity to Leighton Buzzard. In 1978, Aylesbury Vale District Council designated the Mentmore Conservation Area to protect its historic core, encompassing the Towers and surrounding vernacular buildings, with no major review until 2019. Additionally, archaeological protections were strengthened when the medieval settlement remains at nearby Crafton were scheduled as an ancient monument in 2013 by Historic England, preserving earthworks, fishponds, and ridge-and-furrow fields from the 12th century onward.^[4]^[15]^[16] Entering the 21st century, Mentmore Towers remained under Halabi's ownership but was added to Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register in 2022 due to rainwater damage and neglect, with reports estimating its value at over £160 million at its historical peak, though current disrepair has diminished practical worth. As of November 2025, Mentmore Towers remains abandoned with no agreed solution for restoration, continuing to face immediate risk of further deterioration according to Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register.^[17]^[18]^[5] Local developments included the closure of the nearby Mentmore Golf Course in June 2015 amid operational failures; a 2025 High Court appeal by leaseholder Mentmore Golf Investments against forfeiture ruled in favor of the landowner, with the judge noting revival costs exceeding £2.5 million due to a decade of overgrowth and infrastructure decay. The village continues as a quiet rural community, with the conservation designation aiding preservation efforts against modern pressures.^[17]^[18]^[10]

Geography

Location and landscape

Mentmore is a village and civil parish located in the Aylesbury Vale district of Buckinghamshire, England, situated approximately 3 miles east of Wingrave, 3 miles south of Leighton Buzzard, and 7 miles north of Aylesbury, with an Ordnance Survey grid reference of SP9019.^[19] The parish forms part of the broader Vale of Aylesbury landscape, characterized by elevated positions that offer expansive views across the surrounding countryside.^[11] The civil parish encompasses a total area of 1,118 hectares (2,763 acres), including the hamlets of Ledburn to the north and Crafton to the west.^[1] These borders reflect the historical and geographical integration of the area, including hamlets that contribute to the parish's extent within the undulating terrain of the vale.^[9] The landscape of Mentmore consists of rolling countryside underlain by stiff clay soil, which historically supported a mix of agricultural uses including 396 acres of arable land and 65 acres of woods and plantations (mid-19th century).^[2] This terrain is dominated by Mentmore Park, the extensive estate grounds originally formed through 19th-century land acquisitions by the Rothschild family, which overlay much of the parish's central area.^[4] Remnants of medieval open field systems and fishponds are preserved particularly at Crafton, illustrating the area's long-standing agricultural heritage.^[10] Environmentally, the parish features the Grade I listed Mentmore Towers perched on a prominent hill, enhancing the visual prominence of the landscape. A conservation area, designated in 1978 and covering the village core with its characteristic red-brick cottages, was subject to a 2019 review that identified key views, such as those from the village green toward the park, to safeguard the area's scenic and historic qualities.^[11]

Demography

Mentmore's population has remained relatively stable over the past two centuries, reflecting its character as a small rural village. In 1801, the population was recorded as 279, increasing modestly to 289 by 1901.^[2] The 2011 Census reported a total of 385 residents, comprising 189 males and 196 females.^[20] The 2021 Census reported a population of 424.^[20] Similar to rural areas in Buckinghamshire, where the median age was 41 in 2011 (compared to the national median of 39), Mentmore's population aligns with county trends in age distribution and ethnicity, with Buckinghamshire having 86.4% white population in 2011.^[21]^[22] Buckinghamshire as a whole exhibited low deprivation, with an Index of Multiple Deprivation score of 10.1 in 2019, indicating one of England's least deprived areas.^[23] In 2011, there were 150 households in Mentmore, with an average household size of 2.57; the majority were owner-occupied, mirroring the county's 73.1% owner-occupation rate.^[24] Recent population growth has been driven by the village's appeal as an affluent rural commuter area, facilitated by its proximity to the M1 motorway.^[23] Socio-economically, the county features high skill levels, with 45% of working-age residents holding degree-level qualifications as of 2021, exceeding the national average of around 40%.^[23]

Governance

Local governance

Mentmore is served by the Mentmore Parish Council, the lowest tier of local government, which manages community affairs including maintenance of local amenities, footpaths, and liaison with higher authorities on planning matters. The council comprises six elected councillors and meets bi-monthly at the village hall, with a clerk providing administrative support.^[25] Among its initiatives, the council supports the Mentmore History and Archive Group, which preserves and promotes the parish's heritage through research, events, and archival work focused on local history and the Rothschild legacy.^[26] The parish falls within the Mentmore Conservation Area, designated on 12 July 1978 to safeguard its historic village core and estate landscape, with the parish council contributing to oversight through community input and enforcement of local character. A comprehensive review in 2019, adopted by Buckinghamshire Council in March 2020, extended the boundaries to encompass additional parkland, lodges, and the former golf course, emphasizing key features such as the village green's panoramic views northward toward Wing and Ascott, mature trees along the Grand Avenue, and the architectural harmony of estate buildings.^[11] At the district level, Mentmore is part of the Ivinghoe ward under Buckinghamshire Council, a unitary authority established on 1 April 2020 that merged the former Buckinghamshire County Council with the Aylesbury Vale, Chiltern, South Bucks, and Wycombe district councils to streamline services including planning, housing, and environmental protection.^[27]^[28] The council has handled notable planning disputes in the area, such as appeals over outbuildings within the grounds of the Grade I-listed Mentmore Towers, where permissions for conversions and ancillary structures have faced scrutiny for impacts on the historic parkland.^[29] Similarly, efforts to revive the disused Mentmore golf course, closed around 2015, have involved legal challenges over lease forfeitures and restoration costs exceeding £2.5 million (a 2019 estimate, likely higher now due to deterioration), with council input on land use and environmental compliance.^[18] Community facilities in Mentmore are overseen by the parish council in collaboration with Buckinghamshire Council, including the management of the village hall and playground. A key example is the restoration of the former Mentmore Church of England School, which closed in 1963 due to falling pupil numbers and fell into near-ruin by the 1970s; it has since been fully converted into a private dwelling while preserving its Victorian character.^[9]

National representation

Mentmore, as part of the Aylesbury parliamentary constituency in Buckinghamshire, is represented in the House of Commons by Laura Kyrke-Smith of the Labour Party, who was elected in the July 2024 general election following boundary changes implemented under the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies.^[30] This constituency encompasses rural areas in the Aylesbury Vale, including villages like Mentmore, and covers issues pertinent to agricultural communities and heritage preservation.^[31] Prior to the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union in 2020, Mentmore fell within the South East England region for representation in the European Parliament, which elected members to address regional policies on environment, agriculture, and rural development until the 2019 elections.^[32] Post-Brexit, national representation for the village is channeled through the Westminster Parliament and the Buckinghamshire unitary authority, established in 2020, which handles devolved matters such as local planning and environmental protection while aligning with national frameworks.^[33] Mentmore's national political representation emphasizes rural concerns, including agricultural policy reforms and conservation efforts. For instance, the area's inclusion in debates on farmland subsidies and sustainable farming practices reflects broader national discussions on post-Brexit agricultural support schemes, as articulated in parliamentary sessions on the Agriculture Act 2020. Conservation issues, such as the protection of medieval settlement remains at nearby Crafton—a scheduled monument comprising earthworks, fishponds, and open field systems—have been highlighted in national heritage policy reviews to prevent development encroachment.^[10] Additionally, property disputes with redevelopment implications, exemplified by the 2025 High Court appeal in Mentmore Golf Investments Ltd v Gaymer—where a mortgagee sought (but was denied) relief from forfeiture over the disused Mentmore golf course lease amid concerns over site restoration costs exceeding £2.5 million (a 2019 estimate, likely higher now)—underscore tensions between economic redevelopment and rural land preservation in rural constituencies.^[18]^[34] These cases illustrate how Mentmore's representatives advocate for balanced national policies on land use and environmental safeguards.

Landmarks

Mentmore Towers

Mentmore Towers is a Grade I listed 19th-century country house located in the village of Mentmore, Buckinghamshire, England.^[3] Constructed between 1852 and 1854 for Baron Mayer Amschel de Rothschild, the mansion exemplifies Jacobethan architecture, drawing inspiration from late 16th- and early 17th-century Elizabethan and Jacobean styles.^[4]^[35] Designed by the renowned architect Sir Joseph Paxton in collaboration with his son-in-law George Henry Stokes, the building occupies an elevated site overlooking the Vale of Aylesbury, enhancing its imposing presence with a grand scale that includes over 80 opulent rooms featuring elaborate interiors.^[36]^[4] As the longtime seat of the Rothschild family, Mentmore Towers served as a showcase for their extensive art collections, amassed over generations and reflecting their status as prominent bankers and collectors.^[4] The house's lavish interiors, adorned with fine French furniture, tapestries, and antiques, were auctioned off in 1977 by Sotheby's in what became one of the largest house sales in history, raising over £6 million to settle estate taxes following the death of the 6th Earl of Rosebery in 1974.^[37] Beyond its familial significance, the mansion has gained cultural prominence through its use in film productions; notably, its exterior featured as the O'Connell family home in the 2001 adventure film The Mummy Returns.^[38] Today, Mentmore Towers remains privately owned, having been acquired in 1999 by property developer Simon Halabi with initial plans to convert it into a luxury hotel, though the project stalled amid financial difficulties.^[17] As of 2025, the property, once valued at approximately £160 million including contents, stands largely abandoned and in disrepair; it is in very bad condition with high vulnerability and a declining trend, placing it at immediate risk of further deterioration according to Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register.^[17]^[5] Not open to the public, the towers form a key visual element within the Mentmore Conservation Area, designated in 1978, where its designed landscape is protected as a Grade II* Registered Park and Garden, ensuring distant views from public vantage points.^[11]

St Mary the Virgin

St Mary the Virgin is the Anglican parish church of Mentmore, located at the western end of the village alongside the boundary of Mentmore Park, offering views toward the estate.^[39]^[40] Originally situated in the center of the medieval village, it serves as a central religious landmark and hosts parish events such as services and community gatherings.^[40] The church is a Grade II* listed building, designated on 18 October 1966 for its special architectural and historic interest spanning from the 12th to 19th centuries.^[41] Its origins trace to the late 12th century, with the site mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 as part of lands held by Earl Hugh of Chester, and the current structure incorporating early 13th-century details such as nave arcades.^[39] Significant rebuilds occurred in the 14th and 15th centuries, including aisle reconstructions and the addition of a late 15th-century west tower with a battlemented parapet and diagonal buttresses; the chancel was rebuilt in the 19th century, with a major restoration in 1858 by architect G. H. Stokes that also added a south porch and north vestry.^[41]^[39] The building is constructed of dressed limestone with tiled and lead roofs, featuring a clerestory, traceried windows, and internal elements like quatrefoil arcade piers and a 15th-16th-century angel-figured roof.^[41] Notable Romanesque features include a circa 1200 font and reused late 12th-century capitals repurposed as bases for later arcade piers, as documented in the Corpus of Romanesque Sculpture in Britain and Ireland.^[39] Other historic fittings comprise a medieval font, fragments of 15th-century stained glass, a 17th-century altar table, and 1890 glass by Charles Eamer Kempe, alongside monuments such as a 1641 brass to John Theede and a 1702 tablet to Thomas Theed.^[41] The church was granted to St Bartholomew’s Priory in Smithfield around 1200, a donation confirmed by Henry III in 1253.^[39] As an active Anglican church, St Mary the Virgin forms part of the Benefice of Cheddington with Mentmore, within the Diocese of Oxford and the Cottesloe team of parishes that includes nearby churches in Aston Abbotts, Cublington, Stewkley, Soulbury, Wing, and Slapton.^[42] It holds regular Holy Communion services and community worship, maintaining its role as a focal point for local religious life.^[42] Parish registers date back to 1567, recording baptisms, marriages, and burials, with transcripts available from the Lincoln Registry for 1604–1614.^[43] A separate Baptist chapel was established in the village in 1840, providing nonconformist worship options.^[2]

Other notable buildings

Mentmore House, a 16th-century half-timbered manor originally constructed by the Wigg family around 1593, was subsequently re-faced in red brick and given a Georgian front in the mid-18th century.^[9]^[2]^[44] It passed through ownership by the Theed family after the Wiggs and then to the Harcourt family in 1759, remaining with them until the Rothschild acquisition of the estate in the 1840s.^[2] The building features red and vitreous brickwork, moulded plinths, and a Mansard roof with dormers, and it is designated as a Grade II* listed structure for its special architectural and historic interest.^[44] In the hamlet of Ledburn, part of the Mentmore parish, Ledburn Manor House traces its origins to an early 16th-century wing, with modifications and extensions spanning the 17th and 18th centuries, including a mid-18th-century main range.^[45] The structure incorporates chequer brick rear elevations, leaded casement windows, and an early 16th-century roof with wind-braces, alongside a 17th-century moulded stone fireplace; it holds Grade II listed status due to its architectural merits.^[45] Other notable structures in the village include the former school, a mid-19th-century building from the 1860s extended after 1879 for a schoolmaster's house and now converted to a private dwelling.^[46] Red-brick cottages with tall chimneys, erected as part of the 19th-century Rothschild estate, contribute to the area's vernacular character, alongside the Baptist chapel built in 1840.^[11]^[2] Several of these buildings, including estate cottages designed under Rothschild influence, are Grade II listed, enhancing the verdant village setting noted in the 2019 conservation area review.^[11]

Transport

Roads

Mentmore is served by a network of rural roads that provide connectivity to surrounding areas while preserving the village's character. The B488, which runs from Tring to Linslade and passes near the village, forms its northern boundary and connects Mentmore northward to Wing via local links.^[47] To the east, the A418 trunk road, linking Aylesbury and Leighton Buzzard, lies approximately 2 miles away, offering regional access. Rural lanes, such as Mentmore Road, extend southeast to Leighton Buzzard, facilitating local travel. Within the village, roads are characteristically narrow and lined with red-brick buildings and mature trees, contributing to the conservation area's aesthetic. Wing Road, extending northwest from the village green, offers key views of St Mary the Virgin church, the Old Vicarage, and estate structures like Laundry Cottages, framed by limes and horse chestnuts.^[11] The loop road around the green provides unobstructed panoramas northward toward Wing and Ascott, enhancing the rural setting.^[11] To address safety and air pollution concerns, Buckinghamshire Council implemented a 7.5-tonne weight restriction on heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) in the Ivinghoe Freight Zone in 2023, encompassing Mentmore and nearby villages; exceptions apply for local access and essential services.^[48] The village benefits from proximity to the M1 motorway, with the nearest access at Junction 12 (Toddington) approximately 7 miles to the northwest, accessed via the A5 and A4146.^[49] Local roads also support developments such as the Mentmore Golf and Country Club, with planning considerations for access impacting traffic flow on lanes like Rowden Lane.^[50]

Public transport

Public transport options in Mentmore are limited, reflecting the village's rural location in Buckinghamshire. Bus services primarily connect the area to nearby towns like Aylesbury and Leighton Buzzard, with routes stopping adjacent to the village centre. The X4 and X14 services, operated by Arriva, provide links to Aylesbury via Wing and to Leighton Buzzard, with stops such as The Stag Inn on Mentmore Road, approximately a 7-minute walk from key landmarks like Mentmore Towers.^[51]^[52]^[53] These routes operate with reduced frequency outside peak hours, typically hourly or less, which is common for services in sparsely populated areas. Additionally, the L5 local bus, run by Centrebus, serves shorter journeys from Mentmore Recreation Park to Leighton Buzzard town centre, passing through Linslade and offering convenient access for residents to local amenities.^[54]^[55] For rail travel, the nearest station is Cheddington, located about 2 miles north of Mentmore, where West Midlands Trains operate services to London Euston, with the fastest journeys taking around 42 minutes.^[56]^[57] Leighton Buzzard station, approximately 4 miles north, provides further options on the West Coast Main Line. There is no airport in close proximity to Mentmore; the nearest is London Luton Airport, roughly 18 miles away by road.^[58] Cycle paths in the Vale of Aylesbury offer sustainable alternatives for short-distance travel, integrated into Buckinghamshire Council's broader transport strategy to promote active modes alongside public services.

References

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MENTMORE PARISH
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Mentmore, Buckinghamshire - GENUKI
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List entry 1117863. Grade I Listed Building: Mentmore Towers. May include summary, reasons for designation and history.
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Mentmore is the grand Buckinghamshire country house built between 1852 and 1854 for Baron Mayer Amschel de Rothschild (1818-1874).
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Read more about this historic site on the National Heritage List for England. Also of interest. Historic England Reveals its Heritage at Risk Register 2025.
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Details. A mid C19 park and garden surrounding a contemporary country house, all by Sir Joseph Paxton, with 1870s-80s additions to park and gardens.
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### Summary of Pre-19th Century Historical Information on Mentmore
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Mentmore has a long history, first recorded in Saxon times as the property of a Saxon noble woman, Eddeva Pulchra, who legend claims had a hunting lodge nearby.
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Medieval settlement remains at Crafton, Mentmore - Historic England
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Jun 21, 1999 · The yogic flyers of the Maharishi Foundation have been forced to earth with a bump by apparently slashing up to £7m off the asking price of Mentmore Towers.
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Oct 27, 2025 · A golf course which shut a decade ago has deteriorated and will cost more than £2.5m to revive, a judge has suggested.
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Mentmore is a village and civil parish in the Aylesbury Vale district of Buckinghamshire, England ... It is about three miles east of Wingrave, three miles south
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Edlesborough Parish Population/Household Numbers ; Marsworth, 801, 741, (7.5% decrease) ; Mentmore, 370, 385, (4.1% increase).
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In 2021, Buckinghamshire's population was 553,100, with 23.2% under 18, 57.8% aged 18-64, and 19% aged 65+. 86.4% were white in 2011.Missing: Mentmore | Show results with:Mentmore
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Apr 24, 2025 · At the time of the 2021 Census, Buckinghamshire's population was 553,100. Buckinghamshire had a slightly proportion of young people (0-15 ...
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Mentmore Parish Council currently consists of six councillors and the Council is supported by a Clerk who is employed by the Council.
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The parish of Mentmore has an unusual history and many people are interested in the area. The impact of the Rothschild family, when the local land and farms ...
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[29]
Election result for Aylesbury (Constituency) - MPs and Lords
Aylesbury is a constituency in the South East region of England. The seat has been held by Laura Kyrke-Smith (Labour) since July 2024.
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Aylesbury: Seat Details - Electoral Calculus
These are not local election results, which will be different. Aylesbury, Actual, Predicted. District, Ward, Electorate 2024, GE24 Winner, Pred ...
[31]
South East England (European Parliament constituency) - BBC News
MEPs. CON Richard Ashworth; CON Nirj Deva; CON Dan Hannan; GRN Keith Taylor; LAB Anneliese Dodds; LD Catherine Bearder; UKIP Janice Atkinson ...Missing: Mentmore pre-
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Current elections and previous results | Buckinghamshire Council
Find out about current and recent elections in Buckinghamshire including the results, notices and timetables.Missing: Ivinghoe | Show results with:Ivinghoe<|control11|><|separator|>
[33]
mentmore towers - The Country Seat
The grade-I listed Mentmore Towers was built between 1852-54 for Baron Mayer de Rothschild as one of several country houses built for the Rothschild family in ...
[34]
THE RISE & DECLINE OF ROTHSCHILDSHIRE - Tring Local History
By the late 19th century the English branch of the Rothschild family had acquired a number of extensive estates in the Vale of Aylesbury and at Tring, their ...
[35]
Auction Stars of 1977 - The New York Times
Jan 26, 1978 · The pail was sold in May at Sotheby's record‐breaking auction of the contents of Mentmore Towers in England, the largest house sale in history.
[36]
The Mummy Returns | Film Locations
Mentmore Towers in the village of Mentmore, Buckinghamshire, which supplied the interior of the 'Cairo' museum in The Mummy, now returns as the exterior of the ...
[37]
St Mary the Virgin, Mentmore, Buckinghamshire - CRSBI
Mentmore was held by Earl Hugh ofChesterin 1086, and by Robert from him. This enormous manor, assessed at 18 hides, was held by Eadgifu the Fair before the ...
[38]
St Mary the Virgin, Mentmore, from the... © Chris Reynolds - Geograph
Mar 30, 2012 · The church underwent a major restoration and partial rebuild in 1858, carried out by George Stokes. It is a Grade II* listed building Link ...
[39]
CHURCH OF SAINT MARY, Mentmore - 1319266 | Historic England
List entry 1319266. Grade II* Listed Building: Church Of Saint Mary. May include summary, reasons for designation and history.Missing: Virgin | Show results with:Virgin
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Mentmore: St Mary the Virgin - A Church Near You
Our parish of Cheddington w Mentmore is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults from harm.
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FamilySearch Catalog: Parish registers for Mentmore, 1567-1881
Parish registers for Mentmore, 1567-1881 ; Format. Microfilm 35mm ; Language. English ; Publication Date. 1982 ; Publisher. Filmed by the Genealogical ...
[42]
MANOR HOUSE, Mentmore - 1161133 - Historic England
List entry 1161133. Grade II* Listed Building: Manor House. May include summary, reasons for designation and history.
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LEDBURN MANOR HOUSE, Mentmore - 1117867 - Historic England
List entry 1117867. Grade II Listed Building: Ledburn Manor House. May include summary, reasons for designation and history.
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Former village school and school master's house ...
Mid-nineteenth century village school built in 1860s, extended after 1879 for a shcool master's house and now a house. These are local buildings of note ...
[45]
B488 - Roader's Digest: The SABRE Wiki
Jul 27, 2020 · The B488 is a rural road across the northwest Home Counties. It starts at a junction with the A41 at the former ending point of the A41(M) west of Tring.Missing: Mentmore | Show results with:Mentmore
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Ivinghoe freight zone | Buckinghamshire Council
The Ivinghoe freight zone has a 7.5-tonne weight restriction for freight vehicles, with local access exceptions, to reduce HGV impact and traffic. Enforcement ...
[47]
Directions - Mentmore Golf and Country Club
Mentmore Golf Club is at Mentmore, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, LU7 0UA. Directions are provided from the North, South, West, and East.
[48]
Oakwood Enterprise Park, Rowden Lane, Mentmore, Leighton ...
There is excellent access to A4146 & A505 leading to the A5 and Junction 11a of the M1 Motorway, Dunstable and Milton Keynes. Leighton Buzzard rail station is ...
[49]
X4 Leighton Buzzard to Aylesbury Bus Route & Timetables
The X4 bus route runs from Leighton Buzzard to Aylesbury, with stops including Aylesbury Bus Stn, Aylesbury Exchange Street, and Leighton Buzzard Grovebury ...
[50]
X14 - Milton Keynes - Aylesbury – Arriva Beds and Bucks - Bus Times
Nov 4, 2025 · X14 Milton Keynes - Aylesbury. A bus service operated by Arriva Beds ... Aylesbury Bus Stn (Bay 10), 06:35, 07:15, 16:30, 18:00, 18:45, 19:15 ...
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How to Get to Mentmore Towers in Aylesbury Vale by Bus or Train?
Oct 18, 2025 · The nearest bus station to Mentmore Towers in Aylesbury Vale is The Stag Inn, Mentmore. It's a 7 min walk away. Get directions in the app ...
[52]
L5 Route: Schedules, Stops & Maps - Leighton Buzzard (Updated)
The L5 bus (Leighton Buzzard) has 46 stops departing from Mentmore Recreation Park, Linslade and ending at East Street, Leighton Buzzard.
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PF0000508 – ARRIVA THE SHIRES LIMITED – bustimes.org
Current and future bus service registrations. From, To, Via, Last changed ... L5, Briggington, Linslade, Leighton Buzzard Railway Stn & Town Centre, 1 Jun 25.
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Trains Cheddington to London Euston from £11.30 | Trainline
Starting from £11.30You can get from Cheddington to London Euston by train in 51 minutes on average, with the fastest journeys taking just 42 minutes. Check out our Journey Planner ...
[55]
Cheddington to Mentmore - 3 ways to travel via line 167 bus, taxi ...
The best way to get from Cheddington to Mentmore costs only $11 and takes just 3 mins. Find the travel options that best suit you.Missing: public | Show results with:public
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London Luton Airport (LTN) to Mentmore - 6 ways to travel via train ...
No, there is no direct bus from London Luton Airport (LTN) station to Mentmore. However, there are services departing from Airport Bus Station and arriving at ...