Little Gaddesden

Little Gaddesden is a village in the English county of Hertfordshire. As well as Little Gaddesden village (population 694), the parish contains the settlements of Ashridge (population 53), Hudnall (population 139), and part of Ringshall (population 81). [Population figures are taken from [http://www.hertsdirect.org/yrccouncil/hcc/env/factsfigs/population/census/cenresults/cenpopsett/ Hertfordshire County Council: Population and household counts for Hertfordshire settlements - 2001 census] .]

Part of the parish was formerly in Buckinghamshire. This includes Witchcraft Bottom, notable as the alleged location where the last witch in Buckinghamshire was tried and hanged.The village of Little Gaddesden borders both Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire, whilst being situated in the county of Hertfordshire.

Little Gaddesden and the surrounding area of the Ashridge Estate is owned and managed by the National Trust. This area has been used in many famous films and TV programmes, the most recent being ‘Stardust’, ‘Harry Potter’ and ‘Cranford‘.

Little Gaddesden has some splendid period properties, of note: Ashridge House, (designed by Sir James Wyattville along with gardens and grounds designed by Sir Humphrey Repton and Capability Brown - Golden Valley) The Manor House situated on the Green along with John O’Gaddesden House and Marion House, Little Gaddesden House along Nettleden Road heading towards the hamlet of Nettleden and the Old Rectory past the village shop heading to Ringshall.

The Ashridge Estate that surrounds the village is a convert|5000|acre|km2|sing=on area of open countryside and woodland on the edge of the Chiltern Hills, with a rich variety of wildlife including fallow dear, muntjac and the renowned red kite. There is vast areas of mature woodlands with carpets of spring bluebells and fine autumnal displays, along with the panorama from the Duke of Bridgewater Monument.

Local amenities include the famous Ashridge Golf Course, Alford Arms public house, Bridgewater Arms public house, and the business college at Ashridge House.

References

Further reading

J. Leonhardt, "A Century Remembered: The Millennium Book for Little Gaddesden, Ringshall, Hudnall and Ashridge", Rural Heritage Society, 2002, ISBN 0-9542174-0-3.

External links

* [http://www.gerald-massey.org.uk/massey/cbiog_part_05.htm Gerald Massey: a biography - Chapter 5] (mentions Witchcraft Bottom)