Great Missenden
Renowned children’s writer, Roald Dahl, lived in Great Missenden – visit the museum and come face-to-face with his fantastic creations.
What to see
Roald Dahl, the author of many famous children’s books like Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, lived and worked in Great Missenden and is buried beside its 14th-century church. It’s easy to see how this attractive village, with its narrow streets, half-timbered houses and old inns, inspired his story-making.
Visit the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre to find out all about his wonderful world. The Centre inspires young visitors (aged 6-12) with hands-on story-telling activities and fun, fact-packed galleries, and a chance to visit Roald Dahl’s original Writing Hut, where all the magic happened!
Roald Dahl Museum (c) Marcus Marcus_jb
To explore Dahl’s world outside the museum, visit his grave and see the inspiration for places like Sophie’s ‘norphanage’ in The BFG, and the library visited by Matilda while her mum went to play bingo.
Choices for refreshments in the High Street range from the fun Café at the museum itself, to the 16th century inn, The Cross Keys.
Foodie heaven!
Enjoy local produce, masterclasses and tastings at Great Missenden’s annual Food Festival
Into the countryside
Step out of the railway station and step into the countryside! The Chiltern Society showcase walks of differing lengths and challenge that take in Great Missenden, Angling Spring Wood, Little Hampden and Great Hampden, Chesham, and Wendover. Follow paths through beautiful woodlands and farmland.
There is some great cycling on the doorstep of Great Missenden. National Cycle Network Route 57 goes through the centre of the village, close to the museum, and the Chilterns Cycleway is just a few miles away.
The Hampden Route of the Chiltern Heritage Trail provides a signposted circular ride, mainly on quiet roads, through several lovely villages. Along the way, take a moment in Great Hampden, which was the home of Oliver Cromwell’s cousin, John Hampden, the leading parliamentarian who was killed in the Civil War at the Battle of Chalgrove. He was buried in an unmarked spot inside the church. The Hampden Arms makes a very pleasant break on this route.
Cricket pitch and Hampden Arms pub (c) Clive Ormonde
Where to stay
Choices in and around Great Missenden include:
- The Nags Head
- Missenden Abbey
- De Vere Latimer Estate near Chesham
To find more places to stay, see Visit Buckinghamshire.
Heading further afield
Little Missenden – 3 miles away
Little Missenden. The very first episode of Midsomer Murders was set in Little Missenden and The Lee (also 3 miles away). The typical Chilterns charm of these two small villages established the ‘Old England’ look that is the hallmark of this ever-popular series. Much of The Lee was ‘modelled’ by the Stewart-Liberty family who owned the famous store, Liberty’s of London. Visit the idyllic Cock & Rabbit at The Lee, re-sited and reconstructed by Arthur Liberty in 1907. Or come along in October to enjoy the Little Missenden Festival – high-quality music in the intimate setting of the Saxon-cum-Norman village church.
Hughenden Manor – 6 miles away
Hughenden Manor
, the country home of Victorian Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, offers a vivid and entertaining insight into his personal and political life. The formal garden has been recreated, there’s an interesting Second World War room in the cellars, and there’s a four-mile boundary walk taking in the church where he is buried.
Amersham– 6 miles away
Amersham. With its half-timbered houses and handsome Market Hall, Old Amersham is one of the most photogenic markets towns in the Chilterns AONB. There’s an excellent choice of restaurants and pubs, and a tempting cluster of elegant shops.
Getting here by train
Chiltern Railways runs services from London Marylebone to Aylesbury via Amersham and Great Missenden. The journey takes about 40 minutes from Marylebone.
Getting here by road
Great Missenden is 33 miles from London. It is just off the A413, which runs from Aylesbury down to the M40/A40 interchange at Denham, north-west London.
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