Gott'S Monument At The National Society For Epilepsy

Gott's Monument at the National Society for Epilepsy is an obelisk milestone built in 1785, restored in 1879, and altered in the 1960s. It is made of flint rubble and features an inscribed stone plaque surrounded by a brick border, positioned at horseback height. The plaque includes the following inscription:

1785
To NEWLAND I Mile III Furl.g's
To Chesham VII Miles
Built by Sir H T Gott
Restored by W Brown in 1879
To Denham IV Miles
To Uxbridge VI Miles
LONDON XXI

Additionally, there is an incised pointing hand between the numbers 17 and 85 on the first line of the inscription.

Historically, the monument was erected by Sir H T Gott and is located at the entrance to the Chalfont Epilepsy colony. Local tradition holds that it either commemorates a hunt attended by George III or an incident where the king got lost in the surrounding forest. The monument was damaged by lightning in 1879 and subsequently repaired by W Brown. After a second lightning strike in the 1960s, the height of the obelisk was reduced from 60 feet to about 20 feet.

Milestones like Gott's Monument are significant as they indicate 18th and 19th century road use, reflecting the changes in transport and road engineering during that period. This monument is particularly interesting due to its dual role as both a milestone and a commemorative structure.