Talks,Walks & Events
The Local History Group organises a diverse calendar of events either in person or by Zoom, including History Talks and Marlow Walks.
The Society's Walks Group organises guided walks around Marlow and surrounding areas throughout the summer months.
Scroll down for more information on our popular Aspects of Marlow and WW1 walks.
History Talks and Visits
The Marlow Society organises a calendar of talks either in person or by Zoom.
Scoll down for the calendar of planned events. Society Members will find details in their newsletter and those on the Local History Group email distribution list will be sent details in advance
Our next Marlow Society talk will be on Tuesday 22 October at 8:00pm by Zoom and will be 'The English Civil War in Buckinghamshire'. Book here.
The next Marlow Archeology Group talk will be on Thursday 17 October at 8:00pm by Zoom and will be 'A long view of coastal and marine communities of Cardigan Bay'. Book here.
Below you'll also find details of previous talks, walks and events
For more information about individual aspects of Local History in Marlow go to Local Marlow History.
If you have a history enquiry, or would like to be added to our Local History Group email distribution list, please email: tmshistory@marlowsociety.org.uk
Marlow Walks
Public walks on certain weekends during the summer months generally last between 60 and 120 minutes.
All walks start from Marlow Museum at 2pm unless otherwise specified.
The cost is £3 per adult. Children under 12 go free. Well behaved dogs welcome.
Marlow Town Walk - the historic centre of the town.
Forgotten Marlow - historic but lesser-known parts of the town.
Victorian Marlow - the emphasis is on 19th Century people and places including the coming of the railway.
Little Marlow Presentation and Walk - a presentation on the history of Little Marlow followed by a walk around Little Marlow.
Literary Marlow - this walk will introduce the authors who have made Marlow their home - a town which has inspired the setting for many books.
Group walks for 10 people or more during the summer months can be organised by pre-arrangement and tailored to your group's requirements. Please contact us stating your preferred date and time.
Talks, Walks and Visits
Aspects of Marlow
You can enjoy the wonderful aspects of Marlow by foot, the town is flat and easy to navigate. Marlow is easy to reach by car, bus or train, and you'll find an exciting range of shops, cafes, restaurants, and points of interest.
1.Court Garden, Higginson Park and Marlow Museum
Court Garden now houses the Marlow Leisure Centre and Shelley Theatre and has access to the River Thames. The car park is at the back of the house so find your way around to the front. Court Garden was built in the mid 18th century by a Dr Battie, a specialist in nervous diseases. He designed it himself and is said to have forgotten to put in a staircase. It is rumoured that this is where the expression 'batty' originated.
The house and surrounding park were bought by public subscription in Marlow in 1926. The presentation to the town was made by General Sir George Higginson, a veteran of the Crimean war, at a ceremony to celebrate his 100th birthday. The park was named after him and now contains a statue of Sir Steve Redgrave, erected following his record fifth gold medal for rowing at the 2000 Olympic Games.
The Marlow Museum, located next to the car park,is open during the weekends. Its Summer opening hours from March 1st to the end of October are Wednesday 2pm to 5pm and Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays 1pm to 5pm. Winter opening hours from November to February are Sundays and New Year's Day 2pm to 4pm.
2. Marlow Bridge, All Saints Church, The Compleat Angler and the Causeway.
From the Churchyard turn right and follow the Thames Path to Saint Peter Street. If time allows, the walk can be extended by taking the remainder of the path, which is to the right of the 'Two Brewers', which leads to Mill Road. Turn right for the lock and lovely views of the river.
Don't miss the statue on the Causeway by the church. It's is a memorial to Charles Frohman, a famous theatrical impresario, who went down with the 'Lusitania' in 1915.
3. Saint Peter Street
Take a left at the end of the footpath opposite The Two Brewers. Saint Peter's Church designed by Pugin, can be seen through the arched gateway. There are several interesting houses and cottages at this end of the street. Built between 1845-8, the church is most notable for its broached spire. Pugin also designed the individual school and master's adjacent to the church.
Next cross the road at the top of Saint Peter Street into Station Road where you will see Marlow Place.
4. Marlow Place
In the 1950s it housed a girls' finishing school and today serves as very handsome offices.
From Marlow Place you will have a good view back to the Old Parsonage - probably the oldest building in Marlow town; parts of it date back to the 14th century.
5. The High Street
They formerly housed the town's principal industry. Wethered's Brewery was founded in the mid-18th century, transferring from the east to the west side of the High Street where it had its own artesian well. A major employer and famed for the quality of its products, Wethereds was taken over by Strongs after the Second World War, then absorbed by Whitbreads and sadly closed in 1988.
Moving on up the High Street you will pass the early 17th century Chequers Inn and Cromwell House, a classical town house. Look up to see the plaque commemorating Edwin Clark, a famous Victorian engineer.
Other buildings on the High Street have interesting facades, often the result of refacing older properties. These can be seen by looking above the shop fronts.
6. The Assembly Rooms, Crown Hotel & Obelisk
Until recently the clock, atop The Everyman, had been overlooked and almost forgotten as a part of Marlow's history. In collaboration with Marlow Town Council the 'Tempus Fugit' Group, led by Tony Shannon, was set up to restore the town clock in time for its bi-centenary on 3rd April 2005.
The work included restoration of the face and turret and removal of the original works replacing them by a modern electric drive and striking system. Having been temporality store in the Libary, the original town clock works went on display in Wycombe Museum. As supporters of the project, our Local History Group prepared a summary of the clock's history for the museum.
The clock was given to the town in 1805 by Pascoe Grenfell, M.P. for Great Marlow 1802-1820, an associate of Thomas Williams, known as the Copper King. The son of Thomas Williams, Owen Williams M.P., presented the Market building to Marlow in 1807 as a Town Hall comprising of a covered market, Fire Station and Assembly Rooms.
7. West Street - The Ship Inn
Walking towards Henley, go past The Ship Inn, opposite Sainsbury's, which was built from 17th century timbers reputedly from former warships. T S Eliot the poet and Thomas Love Peacock, the author both lived in Marlow for a short time and are commemorated by plaques on numbers 31 and 47.
8. West Street - Remnantz
Subsequently the Wethered family who owned the town brewery bought Remnantz and lived there until recently.
Note the weather vane atop the Remnantz stable block. This splendid stable block in the Wren style, which is now converted into two dwellings, adjoins the main house. The wooden clock tower is surmounted by a cupola and the weather vane has a small man firing a cannon, recalling the military use of the building.
9. West Street - Sir William Borlase's Grammar School
The original building still stands alongside the 19th and 20th centuries extentions and is a fine example of a gabled brick and flint structure centred upon a high archway.
Returning into the town and next to Borlase are Shelley Cottages, a pretty row of whitewashed cottages with Gothic windows marked by a plaque. In Albion House, as it was known, the poet Percy Shelley and author Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley lived from 1817 to 18 before they went to Italy. Mary completed Frankenstein while they were living here. Intricate ogee-shaped window frames give the property its Gothic feel, perhaps inspiring its famous tenants.
Retrace your steps to the small car park by Cote. Portlands Alley, which runs beside it, will take you back to Court Garden.
Marlow Remembers World War One Walk
The Marlow Remembers WW1 Association have put together a Town Walk
Calendar of upcoming Events
|
Date & Time |
Event Details |
Speaker/Contact |
|---|---|---|
|
Thu 17-Oct-24 | 8:00pm |
Zoom | A long view of coastal and marine communities of Cardigan Bay |
Dr Gary Robinson, University of Bangor (MAG). Book here. |
|
Tue 22-Oct-24 | 8:00pm |
Zoom | The English Civil War in Buckinghamshire |
Julian Hunt (LHG). Book here. |
|
Tue 19-Nov-24 | 8:00pm |
Zoom | Rescuing Ruins - the work of the Landmark Trust |
Alastair Dick-Cleland (LHG). More details nearer the time. |
|
Thu 21- Nov-24 | 8:00pm |
Zoom | The Catuvellauni |
Dr Michael Curtis (MAG). More details nearer the time. |
Past Events:
|
Date & Time |
Event Details |
Speaker/Contact |
|---|---|---|
|
Sun 29-Sep-24 | 2:00pm |
Literary Marlow Walk - Meet at Marlow Museum |
|
|
Tue 24-Sep-24 | 8:00pm |
Liston Hall | The Delights of Literary Marlow: Famous Authors and their work |
Heather Adams (LHG) |
|
Sun 22-Sep-24 | 2:00pm |
Victorian Marlow Walk - Meet at Marlow Museum |
|
|
Thu 19-Sep-24 | 8:00pm |
Zoom | Brochs and their builders |
Kenneth McElroy, Caithness Broch Project (MAG). |
|
Sat 14-Sep-24 | 10:00am to 4:00pm |
Sir William Borlase School |
Heritage Open Day. CANCELLED |
|
Tue 27-Aug-24 | 8:00pm |
Liston Hall | Henley Workhouse |
Valerie Alasia (LHG). |
|
Mon 26-Aug-24 | 2:00pm |
Little Marlow Presentation and Walk - Meet at St John the Baptist Church, Church Road, Little Marlow |
|
|
Thu 22-Aug-24 | 2:30pm |
Visit to Rycote (Marlow Society members only) |
(LHG) |
|
Sun 11-Aug-24 | 2:00pm |
Marlow Town Walk - Meet at Marlow Museum |
|
|
Tue 23-Jul-24 | 8:00pm |
Liston Hall | Vansittarts in Bisham; from Russia (and India) with Love |
Sheila Featherston-Clark (LHG). |
|
Sun 21-Jul-24 | 2:00pm |
Forgotten Marlow Walk - Meet at Marlow Museum |
|
|
Sun 23-Jun-24 | 2:00pm |
Marlow Town Walk - Meet at Marlow Museum |
|
|
Thu 13-Jun-24 | Open from 12:30pm guided tour at 2:00pm |
Visit to Milton Manor House (Marlow Society members only) |
(LHG) |
|
Thu 30-May-24 | 8:00pm |
Liston Hall | Cursus monuments in Buckinghamshire |
Dr David Saunders, University of Buckinghamshire (MAG). |
|
Tue 28-May-24 | 8:00pm |
Liston Hall | Sir William Borlase School - the first 400 years |
Dr. Gregory Lim (LHG). |
|
Sun 26-May-24| 2:00pm |
Marlow Town Walk - Meet at Marlow Museum |
|
|
Tue 7-May-24 | 7:30pm for 8:00pm start |
Liston Hall | Marlow Society AGM plus a Presentation and Discussion on Marlow Bridge Past, Present and Future. |
Marlow Society |
|
Tue 23-Apr-24 | 8:00pm |
Liston Hall | Votes for Sheep: the curious case of the 1841 Great Marlow Election |
Sue Cheetham (LHG). |
|
Thu 11-Apr-24 | 8:00pm |
Liston Hall | Too marvellous for words: excavating a metal detected hoard during the pandemic |
Dr Wendy Morrison, Chilterns Conservation Board (MAG). |
|
Tue 26-Mar-24 | 8:00pm |
Liston Hall | Of Saints and Sinners: the Early History of Hambleden |
Chris Whitehead (LHG). |
|
Wed 20-Mar-24 | 8:00pm |
Zoom online | The Mesolithic hunter-gatherers of the Kennet Valley |
Prof Martin Bell, University of Reading (MAG). |
|
Thu 29-Feb-24 | 8:00pm |
Zoom online Film Show | Marlow on Film |
Adam Baxter (LHG). |
|
Tue 27-Feb-24 | 8:00pm |
Royal British Legion Club | Marlow on Film (with proceeds to the Royal British Legion Club and Marlow FM). |
Michael Eagleton (LHG). |
|
Thu 15-Feb-24 | 8:00pm |
Zoom online | Excavations at Butts Piece, Stanton Harcourt, Oxon |
Jamie Williams, Thames Valley Archaeological Services (MAG) |
|
Tue 16-Jan-24 | 8:00pm |
Zoom online | The Romans in Buckinghamshire |
Dr. Jill Eyers (LHG) |
|
Tue 21-Nov-23 | 8:00pm |
Zoom online | Cliveden and the Astors |
Ray Isted (LHG) |
|
Tue 16-Nov-23 | 8:00pm |
Zoom online | Skyscape Archaeology: a new direction |
Dr. Liz Henty (MAG) |
|
Tue 19-Oct-23 | 8:00pm |
Zoom online | Dorstone Hill Neolithic Excavation |
Prof. Julian Thomas (MAG) |
|
Tue 17-Oct-23 | 8:00pm |
Zoom online | Thomas Williams and the Williams family |
Julian Hunt (LHG) |
|
Tue 26-Sep-23 | 8:00pm |
Liston Hall | Marlow Bridge has fallen down. Who will put it up again? |
Keith Parry (LHG) |
|
Thu 21-Sep-23 | 8:00pm |
Zoom online | New sites, new discoveries and new questions |
Lucy Lawrence (MAG) |
|
Sat 9-Sep-23 | 2:00pm |
Victorian Marlow Walk - Meet at Royal British Legion Club, Station Approach |
|
|
Sat 9-Sep-23 | 12:00noon - 5:00pm |
Marlow Donkey Railway, 150th anniversary - Royal British Legion Club, Station Approach |
Heritage Open Day |
|
Tue 22-Aug-23 | 8:00pm |
Liston Hall | Estate to Elite Sports Centre - Why Bisham Abbey was Sold |
Sheila Featherstone-Clark (LHG) |
|
Sun 20-Aug-23 | 2:00pm |
Little Marlow Walk - Meet at Little Marlow Church |
|
|
Sun 13-Aug-23 | 2:00pm |
Town Walk - Meet at Marlow Museum |
|
|
Sun 30-Jul-23 | 2:00pm |
Literary Walk - Meet at Marlow Museum |
|
|
Tue 25-Jul-23 | 8:00pm |
Liston Hall | 150 Years of the Marlow Donkey Railway - Film Show |
Michael Eagleton (LHG) |
|
Thu 20-Jul-23 | 8:00pm |
Liston Hall | Bosworth 1485 A battlefield (re)discovered |
Prof. Anne Curry (MAG) |
|
Thu 20-Jul-23 | 2:00pm |
Visit and tour of Rousham House (Marlow Society members only) |
(LHG) |
|
Fri 16-Jun-23 | 2:00pm |
Visit and tour of Penn House (Marlow Society members only) |
(LHG) |