Medmenham lies on the banks of the Thames, and the sign by the church appears to depict a Viking ship, possibly alluding to the nearby ‘hillforts’- a series of prehistoric defensive earthworks on the Chilterns at Medmenham Camp and Danesfield Camp?

Also nearby is Medmenham Abbey - site of the infamous Hell-Fire Club (also known as the Medmenham Monks), held by Sir Francis Dashwood in the 1700’s.

The annual picturesque ceremony of ’swan-upping’ when young swans on the Thames are counted and tagged for the reigning monarch, used to end with a great dinner of the ‘Swan-Uppers’ at Medmenham.


Sir Francis Dashwood: An eighteenth-century independent

Medmenham on Wikipedia
Medmenham Parish Council
Medmenham History
Medmenham Abbey
The Medmenham Monks
RAF Medmenham
St Peter & St Paul, Medmenham

Medmenham, OS Grid Ref: SU 805 844