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General
The name of Bow Brickhill derives from a personal name, Bolle, and brig hyll giving ‘Bolle's hill top hill’. Brig became a proper name so hyll (hill) was added by way of explanation. In the Domesday Book of 1086 the name appears as Brichelle.
The village lies at the foot of a steep hill with one road climbing the hill itself up to the church of All Saints. At one time the village had a mainly rural economy with a lot of the inhabitants working in the local farms. Others worked in the nearby, and extensive, woodlands that were owned by the Duke of Bedford. Today parts of the woodland have been cleared to make way for a golf course where major events, like the Dunhill Masters, take place. The remainder of the woods are used by the inhabitants of nearby Milton Keynes as they provide an excellent area for walking with excellent views over the city.
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Blind Pond
A legend exists in Bow Brickhill regarding a pond known as Blind Pond which was supposed to be at the north end of the village. It is said that a lady, wearing expensive jewels, is seen riding in a coach with four horses which would race down towards the pond. The coach does not stop and goes straight in to the pond and, because of the ponds alleged depth, she is still travelling downwards. Or so local children were told to stop them playing near the pond. But does this legend have some basis in an older event?
The map points to a pond which still exists at the eastern edge of the village and which is the only body of water to appear on a map of 1885.
To view a map of the area click on the button below
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