Smee Lane

Smee Lane, now called “Cross Bucks Way” for some reason, joins Swanbourne (SP 8028) to Stewkley (8527) and thence to the cattle town of Leighton Buzzard.  It’s an ancient road and obviously a drovers’ route. 

This entry came about because I have just discovered a file with photos (#1-2) from ten years ago showing the beauty of that area in early summer.  We long to return; however, it’s a long way from West Wales...  And why on earth didn’t we continue beyond Stewkley to Hollingdon and Soulbury?  Then we could have joined the canal path just south of Old Linslade Manor and entered LB from the north.  Oh dear.

That’s Smee Lane, anyway.  (“Smee” appears to be derived either from a Smithy or else ‘smooth’, meaning ‘level’.)   

In the same folder I also found a picture of a Coldharbour (#3).  It’s a farm just north of Smee Lane at SP 823275.  But someone with local knowledge – I think I can guess who – told me that the original Coldharbour was in a dip behind the present farm at 821275. 

Also, pencilled almost illegibly on my 192 Explorer at Ashdean Farm (824276), are the words “Slipe field, parallel to road”.  So, a slip field for the cattle while the drovers had a drink or a rest...    

Must return.  This year.