Pictures of Tring

About Tring

The first thing visitors note on arrival in Tring is a cheerful sign bidding you welcome, it further proclaims that this has been a market town since 1315, but gives little hint of the surprises to come.

Tring lies on the Ridgeway Path close to the waters of the River Thame, it is bordered on one side by the Chilterns, a range of dense wooded hills which span an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty between Goring in the Thames valley and Dunstable downs. The Vale of Aylesbury lying north-west of the town is in stark contrast to the Chilterns, for this is mainly flat agricultural land, save for a few less important hills.

With three reservoirs to the north of the town built to feed the locks of the Grand Union Canal, visitors can look forward to relaxing walks along picturesque tow-paths, these in recent years have become a haven for the wildlife of the region. Another fabulous visit is Tring Park, formerly part of the landscape of Tring Mansion which was built by Sir Christopher Wren.

Tring Mansion was occupied by a succession of families noted for their wealth and power, it once belonged to ancestors of George Washington, and later in 1872 the estate was acquired by members of the famous Rothschild family. The mansion is not open for public view, it is now occupied by a private Arts Educational School which has been attended by many of the stars gracing both stage and small screen.

The park surrounding the house is extremely scenic, it was laid out in the 18th-century and presents boundless opportunities for walkers and nature lovers. It further contains interesting buildings and monuments. There is an obelisk in the park known locally as Nell Gwyns monument. Close to this is a small summer house thought to have been designed by architect James Gibbs. The noble avenue of lime trees is a legacy from when the estate was first purchased by the Rothschild's, they are believed to have been planted around 1872.

The Rothschild family were Tring's great benefactors, this can be seen in The Rothschild Zoological Museum at the corner of Akerman and Park Streets. Since 1937 this museum has been part of the Natural History Museum, it hold a wealth of interesting species, including exhibits of fish, birds, rare insects. It also has collections ranging from the bizarre to the beautiful, and hosts a number of regular events. The museum was once the private museum of its founder Walter Rothschild, who even as a small child had a determined interest in zoology. Walter Rothschild was a colourful character, he was Member of Parliament for Aylesbury and at the time of his death he had amassed a huge collection, thus visitors today are able to see outstanding examples of 19th-century taxidermy and other extraordinary species.

The town offers an abundance of opportunities, a walk through its narrow streets reveals a rich display of architecture from several periods. The parish church at the centre of the town is perhaps the town's oldest building, this is dedicated to St.Peter and St.Paul, and historically the first mention of its existence is from 1214. However, the church we see today is mostly from the 15th-century. Close to the church there is a war memorial dedicated to those who died during World War I, later the names of those who gave their lives in World War II were added. Both the church and its graveyards are enclosed within a low stone wall, visitors will note the number of ancient gravestone and tombs covering hundreds of years.

The town's Memorial Gardens offer an oasis of calm, they are beautifully laid out, containing lovely flower beds, huge trees, shrubs and a pretty pond.

One of the best ways to discover Tring is by picking up a Town Trail leaflet and following the set route, this ensures you see the most historic, interesting, and most beautiful parts of the town. The walk starts at the Rothschild Museum, the leaflet is fully descriptive of everything you see. Included in the walk are many Tudor timber-frame properties, the tiny Baptist chapel of 1832, and the handsome timber-framed Rose and Crown Hotel.

This is a true "gem" of a town, it bustles with life, and always there is something entertaining going on. From the Charter Market held in the lively market place, to theatre presentations at the Court Theatre, and special events held by the National Trust at the Ashridge Estate. Not forgetting the famous Rothschild Zoological Museum.

For anyone wishing to stay to truly sample the delights of this charming little town there are plenty of hotels centrally situated and in the surrounding countryside.