Strouts Field, Chesham

Strouts Field lies in Bellingdon, Chesham. For over two centuries, maps have shown the 20 acre field within which the tree planting at Strouts Field is being created. The Ordnance survey map of 1898 classifies it as Field 907 measuring 25.438 acres. Strouts Field is a section of this of about 6 acres.

Meanwhile, the adjacent woodlands, collectively known as Ramscoat Wood, have steadily been added to, piece by piece, to reach their present size. When Strouts Field matures, the plantation will be part of a block running one kilometre from south to north, and averaging 300 metres wide.

Strouts Field has been so named as it is immediately adjacent to the part of Ramscoat Wood which has been classified as Ancient Semi Natural Woodland, and is marked on older maps as Stroutsfield Spring.   Spring is an old name for copse or grove, and suggests therefore that the land it was next to was probably formerly known as Stroutsfield.

The field was previously pasture land grazed by cows and is on a hilltop plateau, clay soil with flints.  Below the surface is chalk, as evidenced by the marking on ancient maps of an old chalk pit. Within Ramscoat Wood there is evidence of former activities, which range from flint banks for medieval strip farming to saw pits in use until early in the last century.

Grid reference SP 954 042.

By road: From A41 London to Aylesbury trunk road – Exit at the turnoff for Chesham and take the A416 to Chesham. At the foot of the steep hill down into Chesham, turn right at the roundabout by the Total petrol station in the direction signposted Hawridge and Cholesbury. After about 500 m, turn left up Greenway. After a parade of shops, turn right, then quickly left, then as quickly right again at a small roundabout into Mount Nugent. After passing some modern housing, you reach hedges on both sides of the road. On the left you will see Mount Nugent Farm driveway. On the right is a metal gate with metal stile and a footpath sign.

By road: From A413 to Amersham – Follow the signs through Amersham for Chesham by the A 416. Entering the town, there is a series of roundabouts. Between the 3rd and 4th roundabouts, (opposite Sainsbury’s) take the left hand turn, Bellingdon Road, signposted to Bellingdon. Follow this up Hivings Hill for about 1 1/2 miles. Passing modern housing and where the road has leveled off, you reach hedges on both sides of the road. On the left you will see Mount Nugent Farm driveway. On the right is a metal gate with metal stile and a footpath sign.

Parking – There is no public parking. Either park carefully on the edge of the grass verge nearby or park further back on the Hivings Estate roads and walk up.

By Underground Railway: Take the Metropolitan line to Chalfont & Latimer and change for the branch line to Chesham station (unless you are on one of the infrequent direct trains). Walk north from the town centre up Hivings Hill in the direction of Bellingdon. After about 1 1/2 miles passing modern housing, where the road has leveled off, you reach hedges on both sides of the road. On the left you will see Mount Nugent Farm driveway. On the right is a metal gate with metal stile and a footpath sign.

On Foot from the road to the site: From the road, take the footpath on the right. Go through the metal stile and take the footpath which immediately bends left, northwards up the grassy track. At a large oak tree, the path turns right towards Ramscoat Wood, with a hedge on the right. Shortly before the path enters the woods, you will see Strouts Field on your right hand side. It is easily identifiable by the staked tree tubes extending across the field.

Please do not enter the field. However, you are welcome to walk in Ramscoat Wood. The section immediately on your right adjoining the field is classified as Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland and has a fine display of blue bells in the spring.

Dedication Book – The Dedication Book is held at Chesham Library within the Study Centre. Telephone: 0845 2303232.