Highwood Bottom

Highwood Bottom is a deep valley, running northwards off "Devils Elbow" on the track from Flowers Bottom to Speen. It ended where it was crossed by a bridleway from Hampden to Lacey Green.

AN IMPORTANT ROUTE

In the 1600s and probably long before that it had been part of the major track from the Hughenden Valley, through Speen to Princes Risborough. At the north end of Highwood Bottom the track met the Common of Princes Risborough continuing across the Common There were no roads in the villages at that time. Highwood Bottom was gated at both ends and heavily wooded on both sides at that time.

HIGHWAYMEN

There is talk of a highwayman's grave, marked with a large boulder part way along. It would certainly have been very dark and lonely.

THE 1823 ENCLOSURES

In 1823 in the Enclosures of Princes Risborough the roads were altered and roads were made to the villages. All roads were the responsibility of the land owners through which they ran. The ground was covered with stones, picked off the land.. Tarmac roads were not made in the countryside until in the 1930's but Highwood Bottom was never adopted by the Council and to date, 2021, is still just a track.

There are now however properties opening onto it all along on the east side. Being secluded a number of well known people have chosen to live there.