Gerrards Cross facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gerrards Cross |
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_-_geograph.org.uk_-_29075.jpg) Gerrards Cross Town Centre |
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 Gerrards Cross
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| Area | 10.88 km2 (4.20 sq mi) |
| Population | 8,017 (2011 Census) |
| • Density | 737/km2 (1,910/sq mi) |
| OS grid reference | TQ00258860 |
| Unitary authority |
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| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Gerrards Cross |
| Postcode district | SL9 |
| Dialling code | 01753 |
| Police | Thames Valley |
| Fire | Buckinghamshire |
| Ambulance | South Central |
| EU Parliament | South East England |
| UK Parliament |
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Gerrards Cross is a town and civil parish located in the southern part of Buckinghamshire, England. It sits near the Chiltern Hills and close to the River Misbourne. The town is about 19 miles (31 km) west-north-west of Charing Cross in central London.
Gerrards Cross is well-connected, with a railway station on the Chiltern Main Line. This line offers train services to London and other cities. The M40 motorway also runs along its southern edge, making it easy to travel by car. An ancient Iron Age fort, called Bulstrode Park Camp, is also found here.
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History of Gerrards Cross
The town of Gerrards Cross is quite new compared to many other English towns. It officially began in 1859. Before this, it was part of three other parishes: Chalfont St Peter, Fulmer, and Stoke Poges.
The town gets its name from the Gerrard family. They owned a large estate, known as a manor, in this area in the early 1600s. Long ago, the area was mostly small farms and a tiny village within the larger Chalfont St Peter parish.
A very old hillfort from the Iron Age is located near the town's center. This site, called Bulstrode Park Camp, is now a protected ancient monument. In 2014, Gerrards Cross was named one of the most popular and expensive places for people to live who travel to London for work.
Town Facilities and Schools
Gerrards Cross has a large and unique parish church called St. James's Church. It was built in 1861 to honor Colonel George Alexander Reid. The church has a special design with a Byzantine-style dome and Chinese-looking turrets.
Famous people have connections to the church. The singer Lulu married Maurice Gibb of the Bee Gees here in 1969. Also, the actress Margaret Rutherford is buried in the churchyard with her husband, Stringer Davis.
The town also has its own library, many restaurants, and a cinema called the Everyman Gerrards Cross.
Local Schools for Students
For education, Gerrards Cross has several independent schools. These include St Mary's for girls and Thorpe House for boys. Older students attend local grammar schools. Some of these are Dr Challoner's Grammar School for boys and Dr Challoner's High School for girls.
Other grammar schools nearby include The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe and John Hampden Grammar School for boys. Girls can attend Beaconsfield High School. Chesham Grammar School is a co-educational option. The local Upper School for the area is Chalfonts Community College.
Gerrards Cross Memorial Building
On the south side of town is the Gerrards Cross Memorial Building. This building was designed by the famous architect Sir Edwin Lutyens. It was opened in 1922 to remember the people from the town who were lost during the First World War. This memorial is special because it was designed to be used for a purpose, not just as a monument.
Transport Links
The Gerrards Cross railway station opened in 1906. It offers fast train services to London Marylebone, with journeys taking about 18 minutes. It also connects to Birmingham.
In 2005, a part of the railway line collapsed when a supermarket was being built over it. Luckily, no one was hurt. The line was closed for over six weeks while repairs were made. A new, stronger arch was built in 2009.
Gerrards Cross is also conveniently located about 8.4 miles (13.5 km) north-west of Heathrow Airport.
Recent Developments
In the 1950s, many houses built in Gerrards Cross had problems with their roof tiles. This led to an important legal case. The highest court decided that when someone is hired to build something and supply materials, they must make sure those materials are suitable for their purpose. This is true even if the buyer chose the materials.
See also
In Spanish: Gerrards Cross para niños
