ADVERTISE WITH US  |  ORDER YOUR COPY  
Henley Standard Property
Development expert  
made head of campaign  
Full story   

Date:

Delivering the news from Henley-on-Thames and South Oxfordshire for over 100 years NEWSFEED
Home News Sport Business Entertainment Food & Drink Regulars Features Your Community Property Jobs Motoring Classifieds
   YOUR LETTERS  |  FAMILY NOTICES  |  OBITUARIES  |  HIDDEN HENLEY  |  DIARY  |  THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK  |  WEBWATCH  |  PICTURE THIS |  TURNING BACK THE PAGES
NEW TO THE HENLEY STANDARD WEB SITE?  REGISTER  | SIGN IN Search the Henley Standard  
Hidden Henley

I BELIEVE this private house, which is both beautiful and curious in equal measures, was once part of the Medmenham Abbey folly. It can be glimpsed from a distance as you walk from Henley downstream on the Berkshire bank or from a boat as you glide past towards Hurley. The area is most peaceful — unlike the other place that is often linked with the Hell Fire Club, bustling Wycombe. The club was started in the grounds of the old Medmenham Abbey in the 18th century by Sir Francis Dashwood. He needed seclusion for himself and his friends, sometimes referred to as The Medmenham Monks, for their wild parties and mock religious ceremonies. The gardens, which had been established by Cistercian monks in 1145, were made into a sensory grove with erotic carvings, paintings and inscriptions and it is rumoured that Lord Sandwich, Benjamin Franklin and Lady Montague were among the members of this secret society. Perhaps word got out because Dashwood had the West Wycombe caves dug and then moved most of the activities literally underground.

  View Regular Features

VIDEO
Take a look at the Henley Standard video broadcasts.
VIDEO
Henley Standard Video
Camp Mohawk, a Wargrave charity which helps autistic children...
HENLEY PAGES
Find what you are looking for with the new Henley Pages.
VIDEO
Henley Standard Video
We took our cameras down to the Face of Henley's Christmas fair...
TRAILERS
Take a peek at what's showing at the cinema this week.
EDITOR'S CHOICE
MOST POPULAR
Food and Drink
  YOUR STANDARD
Customise the way you
receive news and updates.
We are continuously working
to improve this service and
new features will appear as
they become available.
 Order your photos
 Email updates
 Order your copy
Autumn Weddings
  YOUR CLASSIFIEDS
 find a new job  
 find accomodation  
 buy and sell locally
 book your ad
Henley Life and Homes
  YOUR JOBS
  Part-time Teacher of ICT
  Telemarketer & Researcher
  Energy Assessor
  Temporary Part-time Person
  Carer
  Customer Service/Techinical Consultant (c£23k)
  Click here for full list of this week's jobs
   
Caxton House, 1 Station Road, Henley-on-Thames, Oxon, RG9 1AD. Telephone (01491) 419400

Higgs Group | Henley Pages | Henley Life & Homes | Higgs Printing & Design Centre | Higgs Printing & Office Supplies | Henley Print Centre
Copyright & Terms | Contact us | Advertise with us | Site Map