Tudor manor house and famous views

This charming village is reached from Chesham via the valley of the River Chess. It’s possible to walk to Chenies in around 30 minutes or so from Chalfont and Latimer station; or take part of the Chess Valley Walk from Rickmansworth station.

History and the manor house

The historic heart of the village is the Tudor manor house which traces its history back to ownership by the Cheyne family in 12th century. Chenies Manor House has provided the backdrop to episodes of The Crown, Midsomer Murders, Poirot, and more recently as ‘Brampton Hall’ in the comedy series ‘Mandy’.

Both Henry VIII and Elizabeth I were visitors at the Manor. Its owner then was John Russell, a prominent courtier who was created 1st Earl of Bedford. Sold on the death of 12th Duke of Bedford, the Manor House is still privately owned.

Chenies Manor House and its award-winning gardens are open to the public on set days. The gardens include a Physic Garden and Maze and Queen Elizabeth’s Oak – thought to be over 1000 years old. Elizabeth I is believed to have lost some gold jewellery whilst sitting beneath its shade. The gardens are particularly noted for stunning displays of tulips in April and May. Events at Chenies Manor include the Annual Plant and Garden Fair in July and family fun at Halloween.

St Michael’s Church

Manor House Main Drive, Chenies WD3 6ER
Chenies 15th century church contains the Bedford Chapel, described by architectural historian Nikolaus Pevsner as ‘the greatest collection of funerary monuments in an English parish church’. The chapel houses the grandiose tomb of the 1st Duke of Bedford and other family monuments spanning 400 years.

Amenities

Pubs and hotel

Further along the road out of Chenies village is the picturesque Red Lion pub with real ale, craft beer and seasonal menus. The Bedford Arms Hotel is due to re-open in November after refurbishment. It’s an 18th century hotel and pub with bar, fine dining and a peaceful country garden.

Chenies Garden Nursery and Café

The well-stocked centre has items for both home and garden.
Chenies Garden Nursery and Café website

The Chess Valley walk

Footpaths link the village of Chenies to The Chess Valley Walk, which follows the route of the River Chess between Chesham and Rickmansworth. The waymarked walk passes through beautiful and varied scenery, rich in wildlife such as kingfishers, water voles, brown trout, orchids and dragonflies.

This section of the walk is most easily accessed from stations at Chesham, Chalfont & Latimer and Chorleywood.