The Francis Frith Collection.
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Datchet

Datchet photos (24 available)

Old photo of Datchet

Datchet maps (2 available)

Old map of Datchet

Datchet books (12 available)

* 3 books shown here

Datchet memories

1947 floods.

Datchet, High Street c1945

Born in 1944 at no 2, Waterworks Cottages (later 123, Slough Road) on the corner of Castle Avenue. I have vivid memories of the floods, though only three at the time: Mother, Father, Sister and Self were confined to the (very small) upstairs for many weeks, as when the water subsided, downstairs was of course thick with mud and assorted unsavoury objects! (no main drainage in those days). Mother had only a single gas ring upon which to cook, washing facilities were rudimentary, and toilet facilities consisted of one Elsan bucket! Supplies were delivered mainly by ex-army DUKW amphibious vehicles, with Village Bobby P.C. Burr in charge, and well I remember him shouting at me to stand away from the window, ...read more here
Contributed by Bob (Alan) Stannett

Datchet under water 1947

Datchet, High Street c1945

1947 was the year that my parents, my sister and I moved to Datchet and the shops in this photo, taken 2 years before, are so familiar, even now. Not long after having moved here, the snow which had lain thickly on the ground for many weeks, began to thaw. The Thames eventually broke its banks, due to the volume of water now finding its way from further up river and the whole of the village green was under water. Our house, very fortunately, was not flooded but I can remember my parents taking up carpets and moving furniture upstairs (just in case) Also coming down to the water's edge by the International Stores and waiting for punts ...read more here
Contributed by Anne Diamond

Berkshire memories

1947 floods.

Datchet, High Street c1945

Born in 1944 at no 2, Waterworks Cottages (later 123, Slough Road) on the corner of Castle Avenue. I have vivid memories of the floods, though only three at the time: Mother, Father, Sister and Self were confined to the (very small) upstairs for many weeks, as when the water subsided, downstairs was of course thick with mud and assorted unsavoury objects! (no main drainage in those days). Mother had only a single gas ring upon which to cook, washing facilities were rudimentary, and toilet facilities consisted of one Elsan bucket! Supplies were delivered mainly by ex-army DUKW amphibious vehicles, with Village Bobby P.C. Burr in charge, and well I remember him shouting at me to stand away from the window, ...read more here
A memory of Datchet contributed by Bob (Alan) Stannett

Datchet under water 1947

Datchet, High Street c1945

1947 was the year that my parents, my sister and I moved to Datchet and the shops in this photo, taken 2 years before, are so familiar, even now. Not long after having moved here, the snow which had lain thickly on the ground for many weeks, began to thaw. The Thames eventually broke its banks, due to the volume of water now finding its way from further up river and the whole of the village green was under water. Our house, very fortunately, was not flooded but I can remember my parents taking up carpets and moving furniture upstairs (just in case) Also coming down to the water's edge by the International Stores and waiting for punts ...read more here
A memory of Datchet contributed by Anne Diamond

Extracts From Datchet & Berkshire books

Datchet, High Street 1905


An extract from from"Berkshire Photographic Memories".

Datchet, the Village 1905

Just before the turn of the century, Datchet suffered serious flooding when the swollen Thames caused a pond in the centre of the village to overflow. Several anxious residents were isolated in their homes.
An extract from from"Berkshire Photographic Memories".

Datchet, the Village 1905

A group of young children are seen standing in front of a barrier in Datchet village. To the right of the children, in the village centre, is the Village Cross, erected in 1897 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. The houses behind them are often mistaken for the Manor House because they look so impressive. They are private residences.
An extract from from"Windsor Photographic Memories".

Datchet, the Thames 1905

The scene of Falstaff’s miseries in Shakespeare’s ‘The Merry Wives of Windsor’, Datchet stands on the Thames bank, opposite Home Park. One mile above the village, accompanied by the Provost of Eton College, the legendary angler Izaak Walton used to fish ‘for a little samlet or skegger trout, and catch 20 or 40 of them at a standing’.
An extract from from"Berkshire Photographic Memories".

Datchet, the Green and Manor Hotel 1950

The Green, with its period buildings, lies at the heart of Datchet. This photograph captures an ice cream vendor waiting for business in the village centre. Before the M4 motorway existed, traffic from London came through Datchet en route to Windsor. Francis Frith’s Berkshire
An extract from from"Berkshire Photographic Memories".