Medmenham Abbey
Chris Haywood recently revisited an English garden where he worked as a gardener about 30 years ago just after finishing school. Medmenham Abbey is situated on the Thames at High Wycombe and the garden is full of hedges and topiarised plants that are trimmed into all sorts of shapes. As well there are extensive lawns and English flower beds.
The location, beside the River Thames among the willow trees, is reminiscent of where Wind in the Willows characters Ratty and Mole lived and indeed, is the countryside where Kenneth Grahame, the book’s author lived.
History
Despite the whimsical and picturesque setting, the history of Medmenham Abbey reveals some sinister connections. One time owner of Medmenham Abbey was Sir Francis Dashwood who established one of the infamous Hellfire Clubs, known as the Medmenham Club. This club was started about 200 years ago. Listed among its membership were many famous names including Benjamin Franklin, who among other things invented the lightning conductor and also co-wrote the Book of Common Prayer, and Lord Sandwich, who invented the sandwich so that he could have a meal without having to leave the card table.
The club conducted political debates, outrageous parties and dabbled in the occult. At one time their meetings were held in caves, quarried under the hills, known as the West Wycombe Caves. As well members met in a sphere or orb built on top of the spire of West Wycombe Church. The orb replaced the traditional cross. It is said that up to 12 people could sit in the orb and look out over the property of Medmenham Abbey and beyond.
Further information
Medmenham Abbey is on the banks of the Thames in High Wycombe. Nearby the West Wycombe Church and West Wycombe Caves can also be found. The abbey, church and caves can still be visited today, just west of High Wycombe, a medium sized town in Buckinghamshire about 64km (40 miles) north-west of London in the direction of Oxford.
For more information about travelling to Great Britain call the British Tourist Authority on (02) 9377 4400 or Qantas on 131313.