Introduction to Up Sydling

Up Sydling covers over 2,000 acres of land at the head of the Sydling Valley. The valley road ends at the head of Sydling Water, by Upper Sydling House, and beyond this is lonely and beautiful countryside, a peaceful haven with no through route for motor vehicles.

The history of the place has been shaped by two things:

 Firstly water, and the springs that feed Sydling Brook, by which settlements have developed.

And secondly medieval land ownership and feudal farming.

In Medieval times there were two distinct parts to Up Sydling, one of which was in the ownership of barons and knights, and remained a separate entity until the 20th century. The other belonged to Milton Abbey, and was managed by them to provide food for the Abbey tables.

Up Sydling Manor was at the source of Sydling Water, and took advantage of the springs from which it originates to feed ponds, wells and a watermill, and supply water to the manor and its inhabitants and servants.

The rest of Up Sydling developed alongside the river, mainly on the east bank, where the ground is less marshy.

There was also a settlement, Elyston, slightly more to the southeast, where, at a bend in the river, there are several springs.