Ibstone in the Chilterns

Ibstone lies high in the Chilterns, in an area designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. St Nicholas’ Church and Cobstone Windmill represent two distinct historic buildings: the church includes medieval sections, while the windmill is a twelve-sided smock windmill dating from the late 18th to early 19th century. The landscape, architectural history and local history offer different perspectives on the village.

Landscape and nature

Ibstone is bordered by woods filled with bluebells. The village is also considered a habitat for red kites. The species was reintroduced to England through the neighbouring Wormsley Estate. This brings together the nearby woodland landscape and the broader story of reintroduction as distinct nature themes. If you factor nature into your travel plans, you can weigh the landscape and wildlife separately.

St Nicholas’ Church

St Nicholas’ Church is a Grade II* listed building. Its nave dates from the 12th century, and its chancel from the 13th century. These dates distinguish two medieval building phases. Inside, a wooden pulpit dating from the 14th to 15th century has also been preserved. The pulpit adds a later point of reference to the dates of the nave and chancel. The building’s history therefore encompasses both distinct phases of the building and a later furnishing.

Cobstone Windmill

Cobstone Windmill is a Grade II listed building. The twelve-sided smock windmill dates from the late 18th to early 19th century, and part of its machinery has been preserved inside. Its twelve-sided form and classification as a smock windmill describe two different features: its shape and its type of construction. Compared with the church, the historical focus here is on the windmill’s form and surviving technology rather than dated areas of the church and a pulpit. The two buildings can thus be understood through their different forms and historical features.

Local history and memorials

Ibstone’s origins can be traced back to the 8th century. The name derives from “Ibba’s Stones”; the Domesday Book later records the form “Hibestanes”. This linguistic clue adds to the history of the buildings. A standing stone erected on Ibstone Common in 2000 commemorates the millennium. This memorial is from a much later period than the church’s medieval sections and the windmill dating from the late 18th to early 19th century. The name’s history, the buildings and the memorial stone thus offer different ways to explore Ibstone’s historical periods.

A pub in the village

The Fox @ Ibstone is a pub that welcomes walkers and cyclists and serves drinks. If you plan to visit, check the current opening hours beforehand.

Discover more destinations: Mursley, Denham, Iver, Pitstone, Marlow, Beaconsfield, Weston Turville, Winslow

See the wider travel guide: Buckinghamshire.