Overview

A interesting visit awaited us here at Wendover. Documents show that Wendover existed in 965, and by 1086 the Manor of Wendover was held by William the Conqueror. The Manor remained in Royal ownership until 1154; then passed on through many owners. The town was granted market charter in 1214, and then a royal charter to hold weekly markets granted in 1464. In 1721 the town became a stopover on coach routes to London, and many of the buildings in the centre date from the 1800’s, and now have 113 listed buildings, 5 of these are Grade 11 listed. From the south it is known as the gateway to the Chilterns an ideal base for visitors, and as you drive out, at the cross roads, you will see a red brick spired clock built in 1842. OUR PHOTOS On arriving into Wendover the first attractive building you see is The Shoulder of Mutton (photo 1) a rather handsome looking red brick country pub, a grade 11 listed building, with original wooden beams, and roaring fires during the winter months. If you decide to visit this little charmer, then make sure you register your car number, it is monitored regularly. The main road now heads downhill with beautiful brick and thatched cottages pointing the way (photo 2) to the war memorial (photo 3) which is a Chilmark stone lantern cross with eight small crocheted pinnacles on a slim piller, and names of those who died are inscribed on the face of the plinth. Just a few yards further on you pass a line of lovely sun drenched lemon cottages and a few small shops that line the High Street (photo 4) It’s time now for a morning break, and we spotted the rather lovely Red Lion inn (photo 5) and managed to park opposite on the street parking zone. We felt we could not manage the two steps though (photo 6) The original inn was built in 1669, and is now a grade 11 listed building, and a picture perfect inn (photo 7) and one of the oldest buildings in Wendover, back in 1670 it was a fine coaching inn, being a timber framed and brick building, with tiled roofs, two large chimneys, now having modern leaded glazing. We headed for the arched entrance as it was on the level, and walked up to the open air canopy that looked very inviting, and already quite full with early morning visitors (photo 8) where an entrance into the pub awaited us. The inn has its character and very well looked after, clean, with nice little spots to put wheelchair out of the way while partaking of a small gin and tonic (photos 9 to 15). There is an accessible toilet available, basic, but clean, with hand rails and pull cord, and you will be able to take a chair inside. Then it’s time to move on, and drive ahead towards the spired clock tower, as we head for our next destination.

Transport & Parking

Wendover is but a small town, so it was easy to drive to it and down along High Street. The Red Lion does have its own small car park, but it can be full, so if you pass a spot for street parking, then take it, as you will not need.to stay at the Red Lion for to long.

Access

Access to the old coach entrance is on the level, with flat entrance just along a bit under the canopy. It’s level inside the inn, where you can cope in finding a spot for the chair.

Toilets

A bit tight along small passage, we left wheelchair outside of toilet, and then it’s quite big enough to take a chair inside if you can get to it.

Staff

Busy, but pleasant enough

Photos