Travelling around

Horse and cart were familiar methods of transport

From Saxon times farmers and labourers walked several miles to and from their work place on a daily basis.  If they were lucky they might possess a donkey or horse often attached to a roughly constructed cart. Through all weathers they struggled with little or no protection from the elements.  Many fatal accidents occurred due to the unkempt state of the roads, or dirt tracks to be navigated.

Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway

The Branch was opened on 15 August, 1872 and had two intermediate stations at Chinnor and Aston Rowant. After opening, the company immediately ran into difficulties and for a period of time the company directors ran the line at their own expense. Finally after being offered the branch on more than one occasion, the Great Western Railway (GWR) acquired it on 01 July, 1883 for the sum of £23,000, which was less than half the cost of its construction. Under the ownership of the GWR, track on the branch was re-laid, the original being in very poor condition laid directly on the chalk. Rail level halts were opened at Bledlow Bridge, Kingston Crossing and Lewknor Bridge in 1906 and Wainhill Crossing in 1925. After the Second World War the passenger traffic on the branch started to fall and by the mid 1950s had fallen to such a level that on 01 July, 1957 the line was closed to passenger traffic.

Chinnor & Princes Risborough

Chinnor & Princes Risborough

The Watlington and Princes Risborough Railway between Princes Risborough and Watlington was built through the parish and opened. Chinnor railway station was opened to serve the village. The railway was independent until the Great Western Railway took it over in 1883. Sidings to serve Chinnor cement works were added in 1927. British Railways closed the railway through Chinnor to passengers in 1957 and to goods in 1961. The section between Princes Risborough and Chinnor remained open to serve Chinnor cement works until 1989.

Since 1994 Chinnor railway station has been the terminus of the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway, a heritage railway which operates steam and diesel trains on some weekends and bank holidays.

A dedicated team of railway enthusiasts working hard over a number of years, and continue to do so, have restored the engines and carriages to their former glory.

The railway now holds various events, including

  • Murder Mystery evenings
  • Mothers day tea
  • Afternoon cream teas
  • Family friendly Halloween trips
  • Carols on the train
  • Santa special 

Check out their website (link below) for more information

Chinnor has direct bus links with Thame, High Wycombe and Princes Risborough railway station on the Chiltern Line

Emigrating

Travelling around also included In 1843 several residents from Chinnor, under a Government emigration scheme deciding to leave for Australia. Some were families, others were sole travellers under the care of a suitable member of a family also wishing to start a new life in Australia. How they fared is currently unknown and the document 1843 Emigrating to Australia gives an account of those who left Chinnor.

Cars and lorries

Much has been talked about the increase in traffic through Chinnor village particularly as the village is situated not far from the M40.  The subject is still on-going and Christine Davies has given us some press cuttings which are now in the document library below

A brief drive around Chinnor - Bob Dobbs

Bob Dobbs has very kindly undertaken a drive round one part of Chinnor and here he shares with us his observations - we look forward to more of his observations in Chinnor as we move into 2022

The excitement of travelling on top of a tram through Chinnor

The excitement of travelling on top of a tram through Chinnor

 

 

 

 

 

Did you know that a tram once went through Chinnor - do you remember it?

Do you recognise anyone in the picture? Were you on a school outing?

Lets know, who you may know