Wexham

Wexham, with its rural tracts has much to charm the country-lover and appeal to the town-dweller.

The 500-acre Langley Park (separated by the A412 from Black Park) has a history that goes back to the 13th century and it has passed through the hands of numerous reigning monarchs who administered it as a Royal Manor. The house was built in 1740-55 by Charles, Duke of Marlborough, an ancestor of Sir Winston Churchill, and is unique in that it is the only private residence in England that was erected under the terms of a special Act of Parliament. The architect may have been Stiff Leadbetter. To the north is Black Park with its lake, extending for over 530 acres and which, together with Langley Park (noted for its beautiful rhododendrons) has been acquired as a permanent part of the Green Belt. Most of the parks consist of unspoilt woodland and are open to the public.

Wexham church is believed to be the oldest in the District. It is a fine example of an 11th century Norman building with the tower and yew-shaded porch still keeping their old timbers. The church was enlarged 600 years ago and still retains the nail-studded door which more than 12 generations have opened into this lovely little building. A former Rector of Wexham, Bishop Juxon, was chaplain to Charles I and administered the Holy Sacrament to the King on the scaffold. Juxon later became Bishop of London and then Archbishop of Canterbury.