turvey

This is a little 4 part 'virtual' tour of the village. We begin by crossing the bridge from Lavendon. This is the oldest crossing of the Ouse in Bedfordshire. The earliest known bridge here dates from 1140. The current seventeenth century, grey, stone one was widened for traffic in 1935. The border between the counties of Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire is on this bridge. (Photo right).

The Three Fyshes public house (built 1622) is on your right as you enter Turvey from the west. This ancient building has a 'floodometer' on the wall which shows record flood heights over the years. There was a bad flood in 1947 following 6 weeks of snow. There are stone marking the hights of two such floods.

A legend has it that one of Guy Fawkes' colleagues was captured here in 1602 by the King's soldiers. The Gunpowder Plot had been hatched at nearby Weston Underwood. There is more on The Fyshes on the Pub page!

As you enter Turvey over the bridge you can see Turvey House on your left, across the field. (photo left) For more info on this lovely building click on the words. The enterance to the house was originally by the Bridge, perhaps you can see the gate post in the picture on the right. Also in this picture is the Three Fyshes Inn - more to come...

Looking to your right you may catch sight of this statue in the river before the Mill. This chap is locally known as Jonah. The statue was brought to Turvey from Ashridge House, Herts and erected here on 15 April 1844 by John Higgens.of Turvey Abbey. He (Jonah!) once stood in the water but modern developments mean he now has dry feet! Another statue is known as Jonah's wife, but is in fact also of a man! Pictures of both are on the Site Map page.

Here are two of the delightful limestone cottages which are almost opposite the Three Fyshes (photo left). They have a spring running through the garden which unfortunatly is also prone to flooding. Note the hanging tiles on the wall of the right hand cottage's uper storey. The cottage is dated 1884 with the initials of TCH - Thomas Charles Higgins.

Further on, to your left, more springside cottages (photo right). They are so unspoilt and so typical of Victorian village design. I love the gothic church-like windows. This is Bridge Street.

The old flour mill is is by the bridge. It has had a chequered history including being rebuilt after a terrible fire in 1885. It has recently been redeveloped and is now flats. It was once a Crisp (potato chip) Factory making Cristo Crisps (1953-65). This was started by a Mr Melhuish and the distribution in Turvey was managed by Mr Dashwood whoes relatives owned Bromham Mill. Click here for more info on the Mill.