7:53pm Friday 21st April 2006
The history of Marlow is the history of the people who have passed through it. A walk around the town reveals evidence of the people who were once here.
Dr Rachel Brown of the Marlow Society explains more about the history as she guides us on the Marlow Town Walk. It should take about one-and-a-half hours to complete and is waymarked on the town centre pedestrian signposts.
1. Start at the car park in Pound Lane. Walk along Pound Lane and turn right at the end, crossing the main road to The Causeway. Walk along to Marlow Bridge.
Note the statue on The Causeway. This is a memorial to Charles Frohman, a famous theatrical impresario, who went down with the Lusitania in 1915.
From the bridge you will have a fine view of the river, the weir and lock and the famous Compleat Angler hotel.
The present suspension bridge was built in 1832. It is the first on the present site the High Street previously led to extensive wharfes.
The bridge designer was Tierney Clark who used the same overall design for bridges at Hammersmith and Budapest.
All Saints Church was rebuilt in 1835 but there has been a church on more or less the same site since the 11th century.
The church contains many interesting memorials and hatchments, including a monument to William Horsepoole (1624), related by marriage to George Washington.
2. From the Churchyard turn right and follow the footpath to St Peter Street.
This charming street runs down to the river and all previous bridges crossed the river from this point.
During the Civil War in the 17th century the street was heavily defended to protect the river crossing.
If time allows, the walk can be extended by taking the narrow passage to the right of the "Two Brewers", Seven Corners Alley, which leads to Mill Road and the lock. Return the same way.
3. Walk up St Peter Street.
Note the interesting houses and cottages and also, on the right, the Roman Catholic Church (1846) designed by Pugin.
4. Cross the road at the top of St Peter Street (Station Road).
Facing you is Marlow Place, a fine Georgian mansion probably built for John Wallop, first Earl of Portsmouth, and stylistically attributed to the architect Thomas Archer circa 1720.
From the side drive of Marlow Place you will have a good view back to the Old Parsonage probably the oldest building in Marlow town; parts of it date back to the 14th century.
5. Walk along Station Road and turn right into the High Street. Keep to the right hand side.
On the opposite side of the road note the elegant town houses associated with Marlow's brewery.
You will then pass, on your right, the early 17th century Chequers Inn and also Cromwell House, an 18th century classical town house. Look up to see the plaque commemorating Edwin Clark, a famous
Victorian engineer.
Other buildings in the street have interesting facades, often the result of refacing older properties. These can be seen by looking up above the shop fronts.
6. Pause at the top of the High Street (Market Square).
The Crown was built in 1807 as the town's Market House, replacing the former wooden building.
It has a fine assembly room on the first floor.
The original Crown Hotel, which was a famous coaching inn, stood immediately to the right of the present building and is now home to shops and offices.
The obelisk commemorates the Hatfield to Bath turnpike road.
7. Turn left into West Street.
Walk past the Ship Inn which has 17th century timbers, reputedly from former warships.
Note the plaques high up on numbers 31 and 47 which commemorate T S Eliot, the poet and Thomas Love Peacock, the author.
Both lived in Marlow for a short time.
All the plaques in the town were constructed by Wycombe District Council.
8. Continue along West Street as far as Sir William Borlase's Grammar School.
To the right of the school is the house, marked by a plaque, where the poet Shelley and his wife, Mary, lived for a year before going to Italy.
Mary completed her novel, Frankenstein while they were here.
Opposite is Remnantz a fine 18th century house.
The junior section of the Royal Military College was housed here for about ten years before moving to Sandhurst in 1812.
The house was originally four-storey. The top storey was removed in the early 19th century some time after the Royal Military College left.
The stables to the left are interesting. The wooden clock tower is surmounted by a cupola. The weather vane has a small man firing a cannon, recalling the military use of the building.
9. Retrace your steps as far as the Red Lion, turn right and walk down Portlands Alley back to the car park. Facing you is Court Garden.Walk round to look at the back of the house.
It was built in the mid 18th century by Dr Battie, who specialised in nervous diseases.
He designed it himself and is said to have forgotten at first to put in a staircase.
The house and surrounding park were bought by public subscription in Marlow in 1926.
The presentation to the town was made by General Sir George Higginson, (veteran of the Crimean War), at a ceremony to celebrate his 100th birthday.
The park was named after him.
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