Little Missenden: Saxon Church, Medieval Art & Chiltern History
Discover one of Buckinghamshire's most atmospheric historic villages, where the River Misbourne, an ancient church and centuries of Chiltern history meet in a remarkably preserved rural setting.
Little Missenden is a small historic village in Buckinghamshire, set beside the River Misbourne at the foot of the Chiltern Hills. Its quiet appearance conceals a remarkably long history extending back through the medieval period and beyond.
For walkers travelling between Great Missenden and Amersham, Little Missenden provides one of the most interesting historic stops on the route: an ancient church, traditional village buildings, the Misbourne valley and a landscape shaped by centuries of rural life.
A Village Recorded in Domesday
Little Missenden was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. The medieval settlement included agricultural land, meadow and woodland, showing that the surrounding landscape had already been organised and worked for centuries.
The village later developed alongside the road and the River Misbourne, while retaining the rural character that remains visible today.
In the Misbourne Valley
The River Misbourne is a chalk stream running through the Chiltern landscape and forms an important part of the character of Little Missenden.
Water, meadow, woodland and farmland helped shape the settlement, while today the valley provides an attractive walking corridor through this part of Buckinghamshire.
A Short History of Little Missenden
St John the Baptist Church
The Grade I listed Parish Church of St John the Baptist is the outstanding historic monument in Little Missenden.
Historic England records a tenth- or eleventh-century Anglo-Saxon core, twelfth-century arcades, an Early English chancel, a fourteenth-century north chapel, and a fifteenth-century timber-framed porch and west tower.
Inside is an exceptional series of medieval wall paintings. Subjects recorded by Historic England include St Christopher, the Martyrdom of St Catherine, the Passion and Crucifixion, the Archangel Gabriel, the Seven Deadly Sins, the Nativity and Majesty.
Historic Places to Notice
| Place | Why it matters | Period / Character |
|---|---|---|
| St John the Baptist Church | Grade I listed church containing Anglo-Saxon fabric and an important collection of medieval wall paintings. | 10th/11th century onwards |
| River Misbourne | Chalk stream forming part of the natural and historic landscape of the village. | Natural landscape |
| Little Missenden Village | Historic settlement documented in the Domesday Book and protected within a conservation area. | Medieval to modern |
| Missenden House | Grade II listed house dated 1729, illustrating the later architectural history of the village. | 18th century |
| Historic village buildings | Traditional houses, farms and village structures contribute to the settlement's distinctive Chiltern character. | Multiple periods |
Little Missenden Through the Centuries
| Period | Development | What remains today |
|---|---|---|
| Anglo-Saxon | Early church and settlement activity. | Ancient fabric within St John the Baptist. |
| 1086 | Settlement documented in Domesday Book. | Recorded medieval village landscape. |
| 12th–15th centuries | Expansion and decoration of the parish church. | Architecture and medieval wall paintings. |
| 17th–18th centuries | Continued development of farms and houses. | Historic domestic buildings around the village. |
| Modern period | Protection and appreciation of village heritage. | Conservation area and surviving rural character. |
Little Missenden and the Great Missenden to Amersham Walk
Little Missenden is directly connected with our walk between Great Missenden and Amersham. The route provides an opportunity to experience the village as part of a longer journey through the Chiltern countryside.
The combination of ancient churches, beech woodland, rolling countryside, historic villages and Old Amersham makes this one of the most varied rail-accessible walks through the Chilterns.
Walking Through Little Missenden
When passing through the village, take time to notice how closely the historic buildings, church and river relate to the surrounding landscape. Little Missenden is best appreciated slowly rather than simply treated as another waypoint.
Please follow public rights of way, respect residents and private property, take care near roads and livestock, and leave gates as you find them.
Walk through Little Missenden with us
Discover Little Missenden as part of our Great Missenden to Amersham walk through the Chiltern countryside.
View the Great Missenden to Amersham Walk