Little Missenden

infobox UK place
country = England
latitude= 51.68178
longitude= -0.66807
official_name= Little Missenden
population = 6,510 [ [http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=792129&c=Little+Missenden&d=16&e=15&g=424700&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1216511274152&enc=1&dsFamilyId=779 Neighbourhood Statistics 2001 Census] ]
shire_district= Chiltern
shire_county = Buckinghamshire
region= South East England
post_town= AMERSHAM
postcode_district = HP7
postcode_area= HP
dial_code=
os_grid_reference= SU921989
static_

static_image_caption=St John the Baptist Church, Little Missenden
constituency_westminster= Chesham and Amersham

Little Missenden is a village in Buckinghamshire, England. It is in the Chiltern Hills, about three miles south east of Great Missenden, three miles west of Amersham.

The village name 'Missenden' is Anglo Saxon in origin, and means 'valley where marsh plants grow'. In the Domesday Book of 1086 the two villages were recorded as "Missedene" and Little Missenden is clearly identifiable by 2 hides owned between 3 landlords. One of these hides belonging to the Count of Mortain (around Town Farm) expanded after Domesday to become the manor of Holmer whence the village of Holmer Green was born. Other hamlets which are in the ancient parish of Little Missenden are Beamond End, Mop End, Spurlands End, Little Kingshill, Brays Green and Hyde Heath.

Like much of Little Missenden village, the Saxon village church was built next to the River Misbourne. The church was extended in several stages over at least 1000 years, the oldest part being built in circa 975 A.D. Some remarkable ancient wall paintings can still be viewed inside the church on the north wall.

The main London-Aylesbury road used to run through the centre of Little Missenden and past the two pubs – The Red Lion and The Crown. In the early 19th century, a new 'by-pass' road was built to the north and this now forms the modern A413.

The village has been used in many films and TV programmes over the years, particularly as one of the more regular Midsomer Murders filming locations. Despite being a small and very quaint old village, in recent times it has also hosted acclaimed comedy and arts festivals. The children of Little Missenden school performed the premiere of John Tavener's "Celtic Requiem" in 1970.

Access to London and Aylesbury are easily available from Great Missenden Station, which is serviced by Chiltern Railways. London Marylebone is about 45 minutes from Great Missenden Station.

Notable Residents

*Herbert Austin, born in Little Missenden to a farming family, he moved to Rotherham, South Yorkshire at an early age.

* Dr Benjamin Bates - Sir Francis Dashwood's physician and also a senior member of the notorious Hellfire Club.

References

External links

* [http://www.littlemissendenparish.org.uk/ Little Missenden Parish Church]
* [http://www.little-missenden.org/ Little Missenden Festival]