Chalfont St Peter

Now a commuter town, Chalfont St Peter dates back to the 7th century and, as its name means ‘the spring where the calves come to drink’, there is a long history here of raising cattle in the surrounding lush meadows. First mentioned in 1133, the parish Church of St Peter was all but destroyed when its steeple collapsed in 1708. The building seen today dates from that time as it was rebuilt immediately after the disaster.

Housed in a barn at Skippings Farm is the Hawk and Owl Trust’s National Education and Exhibition Centre. Dedicated to conserving wild birds of prey in their natural habitats, the Trust concerns itself with practical research, creative conservation and imaginative educational programmes.