Old Amersham: Dark History Tour
Old Amersham is often admired for its picturesque streets, historic inns, and café-lined high street — but beneath this charming exterior lies a far darker past.
This daytime guided walk explores the hidden and often brutal history of one of Buckinghamshire’s oldest towns, focusing on the events, beliefs, and fears that shaped Amersham for centuries.
At the heart of the tour is the story of the Amersham Martyrs, also known as the Lollards — men and women who, in the early 16th century, were imprisoned, interrogated, and executed for their religious beliefs. Their persecution was not a distant or abstract event; it unfolded on the very streets we walk today.

A Town Shaped by Fear and Belief
Amersham’s earliest recorded settlement dates back to 796 AD, with evidence also suggesting Roman activity in the area. By the late medieval period, the town had become a focal point of religious dissent — and, in response, ruthless punishment.
Visitors will learn about:

• The imprisonment and execution of the Amersham Martyrs
• How fear of heresy and witchcraft influenced everyday life
• The last woman to be executed in the UK, was it really as it seemed?
  
• Sites linked to punishment, public execution, and unrest
• Why certain locations became associated with darker legends
• How history, memory, and folklore continue to overlap in the town

While firmly rooted in documented history, the tour also examines why some locations have attracted unsettling stories long after the events themselves, and how trauma can leave a lasting imprint on a place.

What to Expect
​This is a calm, measured, and intelligent daytime walk, designed for those who enjoy history with depth and context. It is not a theatrical ghost hunt, but an exploration of real events, real people, and the darker realities of England’s past.
The tour is suitable for visitors who:

• Prefer daytime experiences
• Enjoy historical storytelling
• Are interested in religious history and social conflict
• Want to see Old Amersham beyond its postcard image

This tour serves as a daytime companion to our evening Old Amersham Ghost Tour, offering a different perspective on the same historic locations.

Tour Details

• Duration: Approx. 75–90 minutes
• Day & Time: Wednesdays at 1:00pm
• Meeting Point:
  Outside Ambers of Amersham & The Chequers Pub
  49–51 London Road West, Amersham, HP7 9DA
• Price: £12.50 per person
• Booking: Advance booking required
  (If no bookings are made, the tour will not run)

Private daytime tours are also available by arrangement.
Please email to discuss availability.