Remenham (St. Nicholas)

REMENHAM (St. Nicholas), a parish, in the union of Henley-upon-Thames, hundred of Beynhurst, county of Berks, 1½ mile (N. by E.) from Henley; containing 485 inhabitants. The parish comprises 1586a. 3r. 25p., of which 1173 acres are arable and pasture, 311 wood and plantations, 70 water, and 30 in roads and waste: the soil is a loam, resting upon gravel; the surface is hilly, and towards the Thames, which flows by the parish, is subject to flood. Park Place, here, was the residence of General Lord Conway, and subsequently of the Prince of Wales, father to George III.; the former of whom established the growth and distillation of lavender in the neighbourhood. The grounds contain a curious relic of antiquity called The Druids' Temple, brought from Jersey, and consisting of 45 large unhewn stones forming a circle, whose circumference is 66 feet; it was presented by the inhabitants of Jersey to General Conway, in token of their respect and gratitude for his vigilance whilst governor of that island. The living is a rectory, valued in the king's books at £20. 1. 0½., and in the gift of Jesus College, Oxford: the tithes have been commuted for £494, and the glebe consists of 17 acres.