Bourne End, Buckinghamshire facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bourne End |
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 Georgian and Victorian houses, downstream from Bourne End Marina |
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 21st century development by the Thames |
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 Bourne End
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| Population | 5,320 |
| OS grid reference | SU895875 |
| Civil parish |
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| Unitary authority |
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| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BOURNE END |
| Postcode district | SL8 |
| Dialling code | 01628 |
| Police | Thames Valley |
| Fire | Buckinghamshire |
| Ambulance | South Central |
| EU Parliament | South East England |
| UK Parliament |
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Bourne End is a lively village in Buckinghamshire, England. It's located about 8 kilometers (5 miles) south-east of High Wycombe. The village sits near the River Thames, where the smaller River Wye flows into it. Bourne End is a great place to live, with good connections to London and lots of things to do.
Contents
History of Bourne End
How Bourne End Got Its Name
The name "Bourne End" comes from an old word, bourne, which means "river". So, it means "the end of the river". This name refers to where the River Wye meets the River Thames.
Originally, the village was a bit further downstream. In the 1800s, people sometimes mispronounced the name as "Bone End". But in 1858, a local vicar helped change it back to the correct "Bourne End".
Mills and Wharves
For hundreds of years, the River Wye was important for powering many mills. Bourne End had four main mills: Princes Mill, Jacksons Mill, Hedsor Mill, and Lower Mill. These mills, along with local farms and two wharves on the Thames, were the main places where people worked.
The Arrival of the Railway
In the mid-1800s, everything changed when the railway arrived. In 1854, a famous engineer named Isambard Kingdom Brunel helped build a railway line. This line connected Maidenhead to High Wycombe, passing through Bourne End.
The station in Bourne End was first called Marlow Road. Later, in 1873, a new railway line was built to Marlow. To avoid confusion, the station was renamed Bourne End station in 1874. The railway made it easier for people to travel and helped the local mills grow. This led to Bourne End expanding much more than other nearby villages.
Village Growth and Famous Residents
Over time, smaller areas around Bourne End, like Spring Gardens and Upper Bourne End, joined together to form the village we know today. A church and a school were built, and The Parade became the main shopping area.
In the 1920s, some famous people lived in Bourne End:
- Enid Blyton: A very popular children's author, known for books like Noddy and The Famous Five.
- Edgar Wallace: A well-known writer of crime stories and plays.
- Louis Blériot: A French aviator and aircraft builder, famous for being the first to fly across the English Channel.
The Royalty Cinema opened in 1934, offering entertainment to the villagers. In the late 1940s, more houses were built, and in the 1960s, the Community Centre and Library opened.
Changes to the Railway
In 1969, a plan called the "Beeching Axe" led to the closure of the railway line between Bourne End and High Wycombe. This line was no longer used much because a more direct route to London had opened. The tracks were removed in 1970. Today, part of the old railway path is a walking trail between Bourne End and Wooburn.
Life in Bourne End
Location and Environment
Bourne End is located between the M4 and M40 motorways. It still has its railway station on the line to Marlow. Because it's easy to get to London by road and rail, many people who work in London choose to live here.
The old mills have all been closed down and replaced by houses, offices, or business parks. This means Bourne End continues to be a place where people work.
The village is surrounded by beautiful countryside. Much of the land around Bourne End is protected as a Green Belt (to stop towns from merging), an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (for its special scenery), or a Site of Special Scientific Interest (for its important wildlife). This helps keep Bourne End a distinct village, surrounded by farmland.
Community Spirit
Bourne End has many shops and services, but it still feels like a friendly village. The Community Centre is a popular place for events and activities.
The village also has a "Twinning Association" that connects Bourne End with Octeville-sur-Mer, a town in France. They hold events to build friendship between the two places.
Local Services
Bourne End has local councils that help run the village. The Wooburn and Bourne End Parish Council looks after local matters, while Buckinghamshire Council handles bigger decisions for the whole area. The local police force is Thames Valley Police. For healthcare, there are two doctor's surgeries and two dentists in the village.
Things to Do in Bourne End
The River Thames is a big attraction in Bourne End. Many fun activities happen on or near the river. The village has two recreation grounds for sports and play, a Junior Sports Club, and a fitness center.
The Upper Thames Sailing Club is very popular. Every June, they host a week-long sailing event called Bourne End Week. You can also find many restaurants with different types of food and several public houses (pubs) in the village.
Near Bourne End, across the River Thames, is Cock Marsh. This is a beautiful area of open land owned by the National Trust. It's a special place for wildlife and even has an ancient burial mound. You can reach Cock Marsh by walking across the footbridge attached to the railway bridge over the river. From there, you can follow footpaths to other nearby villages.
The Thames Path National Trail, a long-distance walking route, also passes through Bourne End, following the River Thames.
Schools in Bourne End
Bourne End has three main schools:
- Westfield School: A special school on Highfield Road.
- Claytons Primary School: A junior school on Wendover Road.
- Bourne End Academy: An upper school on New Road, which specializes in sports. This school has had a few different names over the years, including Deyncourt School and Wye Valley School.
There are also several pre-schools and nurseries for younger children in the village.
Churches in Bourne End
The village has three active churches:
- St Mark's Church: The Anglican church, built in 1889.
- St Dunstan's Church: The Roman Catholic church.
- United Reformed Church: This church was founded in 1773 as a nonconformist chapel, offering a different style of worship.
Bourne End also has the only UK branch of the Ramakrishna Mission, called the Ramakrishna Vedanta Centre.
Shopping in Bourne End
Bourne End has many shops, mostly located in The Parade. Events like "Fun Night" in December encourage people to support local businesses. There's also a small group of shops in Furlong Road, including the main Post Office.
Famous People From Bourne End
Many interesting people have lived in Bourne End, including:
- Sir Arthur Harden (1865–1940): A scientist who won a Nobel Prize for his work in biochemistry.
- Beatrix Lehmann (1903–1979): A British actress and writer.
- John Lehmann (1907–1987): A poet and publisher.
- Rosamond Lehmann (1901–1990): A novelist and translator.
- Enid Blyton (1897-1968): A famous English children’s writer.
- Louis Blériot (1872-1936): A French aviator and engineer.
- Bud Flanagan (1896 – 1968): A British comedian and entertainer.
- Bernard Chacksfield (1913 – 1999): A senior Royal Air Force officer and leader in The Scout Association.
- Renée Houston (1902 – 1980): A Scottish comedy actress.
- Edgar Wallace (1895 - 1932): A crime writer and journalist.
