Binfield, Berkshire, England

BINFIELD was described in 'Pigot & Co 1830 Directory' as 'a small village and parish in the hundred of Cookham, is about three miles from Oakingham, lying a little off the road, on the left, leading to Windsor; and situated in the midst of the tract called the royal hunt, in Windsor forest. Mr. Pope, the celebrated poet, spent the early part of his life in this village, but was not born here as some have asserted. The residence of Mrs. Vansittart is celebrated as having been the residence of the poet, and wherein he wrote his 'Windsor forest,' and some other of his pieces. There are several very elegant villas in this place; the beauty of the situation, its vicinity to Windsor, and ready access to the metropolis, having been strong inducements to persons of fortune to fix themselves in so desirable a spot. The parish church has nothing externally remarkable, being a small edifice of stone and brick; but it contains some monuments of interest, and amongst others, one to the memory of Admiral Sir Edward Vernon, who signalized himself at Pondicherry; and another to the celebrated historian Catherine Macanly Graham, who died in this parish in 1791. The living here is a rectory in the gift of Lord Lyndhurst, the present incumbent is the Rev. Dr. Gabell. The parish Binfield contained, in 1821, 1,057 inhabitants'.