Cadsden is a hamlet in South Buckinghamshire situated in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty two miles north east of Princes Risborough; once split between Upper Cadsden, and Lower Cadsden, it is now known as just Cadsden. Cadsden is in the ecclesiastical parish of Monks Risborough and was formerly part of the Manor of Monks Risborough.
The origin of the name, which also appears (in fairly recent times) as Catsdean, is doubtful and it is not known when it was first used. If it dates back to Anglo-Saxon times, when most of the other local place names first appeared, it probably meant 'Valley frequented by wild cats'. It is certainly at the bottom of a steep valley.
The railway service in the area was improved in 2011 with the Chiltern Mainline project. The two nearest mainline railway stations are Princes Risborough (2 miles, usually 33/40 mins to Marylebone) and Great Missenden (9 miles, 40 mins to Marylebone) with a branchline station at Monks Risborough (1 mile, 52 mins to Marylebone). Sarah Harding from Girls Aloud is a resident of Cadsden.
The Plough at Cadsden is a favourite country pub. David and Samantha Cameron, during one of their many stays at Chequers, watched the Whitchuch Morris Men perform at the Plough on Boxing Day 2011. There is even an old picture of Ted Heath propping the bar up at the Plough, a copy of which can be seen on the Plough's website
It is said that in 1643 a wake was held here for John Hampden by his beloved Greencoats, whilst escorting his body back to the family home at Great Hampden from Thame, where he died following the Battle of Chalgrove Field
Every year on the first Sunday in August there is a Cherry Pie Festival which has been a tradition in Cadsden for over 100 years.
Cadsden was featured in the Midsomer Murders episode "Down Among the Dead Men" where it was called Cadsden Ridge for TV purposes.
The Grangelands and Pulpit Hill which are near Cadsden are a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) with an array of wildlife including glow worms and the bee orchid. Up on Pulpit Hill, set within Pulpit Woods, are the remains of an Iron Age hill fort, a scheduled ancient monument.
In 2009, Bucks County Council in partnership with Plantlife International started a juniper conservation programme on Pulpit Hill where pens have been created to support juniper growth.
Chequers, the Prime Minister's country residence, is the first property encountered along The Ridgeway path north east from Cadsden. This walk was featured in an article published by the Sunday Times in June 2010.
Whiteleaf Golf Course which occupies the land between Whiteleaf and Cadsden is a 9 hole course established in 1907. During the winter months when it snows, the Cadsden end of the course is used for tobogganing.