The History of Sheephouse Manor and The Surrounding Area
The Origins of 'Sheephouse'
Sheephouse was originally labelled as 'Shiphouse Farm' in a survey taken in 1609, because the farm kept horses and supplied them for towing barges between Boulters Lock and Cookham. The horses would walk along the 'towpath' (also where the name for a trail on the bank of a river came from!) and pull the boats behind them.Â
There was also a 'Ship Inn' on the corner of Sutton Road and Mill Lane in Cookham, where the bargees (person operating the barge) drank when returning the horses to the farm. The property was shown as ‘Sheephouse’ on Rocoves map of 1761, perhaps indicating the first adoption of the current name.Â
Sources: (In Maidenhead Reference Library)
Terry’s survey 1840 for details of land and fields belonging to the farm.Â
Stephen Darby’s notebooks.Â
The History of Sheephouse Manor and The Surrounding Area
The Origins of 'Sheephouse'
Sheephouse was originally labelled as 'Shiphouse Farm' in a survey taken in 1609, because the farm kept horses and supplied them for towing barges between Boulters Lock and Cookham. The horses would walk along the 'towpath' (also where the name for a trail on the bank of a river came from!) and pull the boats behind them.
There was also a 'Ship Inn' on the corner of Sutton Road and Mill Lane in Cookham, where the bargees (person operating the barge) drank when returning the horses to the farm. The property was shown as ‘Sheephouse’ on Rocoves map of 1761, perhaps indicating the first adoption of the current name.
Sources: (In Maidenhead Reference Library)
Terry’s survey 1840 for details of land and fields belonging to the farm.Â
Stephen Darby’s notebooks.Â
The Makings of Sheephouse Manor
When Caroline first came to Sheephouse, it was quite dilapidated and had recently been part of the surrounding farm. She worked to renovate buildings in order to make them fit creating the self-catering cottages. Some cottages have had some interesting past residents. Did you know that Cottage Five was once our family donkey stable? We still have their manger on display just outside the Cottage Five garden area!
We Are an Artist's Hometown
The beautiful next-door village of Cookham was mentioned in a documentary made by Michael Portillo. He explains how Cookham influenced the talented local painter Stanley Spencer CBE RA (1891-1959). Find the clip here.
Famous Favourite Walks Nearby
Jill Dando, a British journalist, television presenter and newsreader for the BBC and Crimewatch UK, spoke about her favourite walk beginning at Boulters Lock, just down the road from Sheephouse Manor. Read the Sunday Times article from 1996.
Old Map of Maidenhead
The town looked very different over 250 years ago. Click here to download a detailed map of Maidenhead from 1761.
