Summary
A town situated on elevated chalk slopes in the Chilterns, High Wycombe offers some of Southern England’s most picturesque countryside in its vicinity.
The National Trust oversees extensive portions of this land, previously belonging to estates just outside the town.
One example, West Wycombe Park, served as the 18th-century residence of Sir Francis Dashwood and was the renowned meeting spot for the infamous Hellfire Club.
Additionally, nearby Hughenden Manor is historically linked to Benjamin Disraeli, who was the UK’s Prime Minister during a critical period in the 19th century.
High Wycombe’s economic development during this time was significantly supported by a chair-making industry that effectively utilized the abundant beech forests found throughout the Chilterns.
The local football team, Wycombe Wanderers, still bears the nickname the Chairboys.
Let us delve into the best attractions in High Wycombe:
1. Chiltern Hills
High Wycombe is situated on a prominent chalk escarpment that rises over 250 meters, recognized as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Information regarding walking paths, cycling routes, local inns, charming villages, and historic estates can be acquired at the tourist information center located within the High Wycombe Library.
Many of the featured attractions are in the Chilterns, with both Hughenden and West Wycombe benefitting from a picturesque landscape of verdant valleys and ancient beech woodlands.
For golf enthusiasts, the Wycombe Heights Golf Centre offers an opportunity to enjoy a round amidst this scenic backdrop.
2. Hughenden Manor
This National Trust property was once the home of Benjamin Disraeli, a two-time Prime Minister and confidant of Queen Victoria.
Disraeli acquired Hughenden in 1848 shortly after ascending as leader of the Tory Party and resided there until his death.
The original design of the house was Palladian, dating back to the 18th century, but Disraeli commissioned a unique Eclectic redesign from architect Edward Buckton Lamb.
The manor offers a wealth of insights into Disraeli’s life, allowing visitors to explore his library, study, and the couple’s bedroom, along with exhibitions focusing on his political career and Jewish heritage.
Among the personal items on display is a black silk robe belonging to Disraeli, which he notably refused to return as Chancellor of the Exchequer.
The grounds are equally pleasurable, featuring mature trees and a walled garden that hosts 47 ancient apple varieties.
3. West Wycombe Park
Sir Francis Dashwood, the 18th-century nobleman, became famous during his Grand Tour of Europe after being expelled from Russia for attempting to seduce Tsarina Anne while masquerading as Charles XII of Sweden.
Upon his return, he co-founded the Hellfire Club, which, while steeped in Pagan symbolism, essentially served as an elaborate venue for revelry.
Dashwood was an esteemed connoisseur who incorporated Classical and Renaissance architecture from his travels into his pleasure palace at West Wycombe Park.
This mansion, owned by the National Trust since 1943, boasts a harmonious blend of Georgian styles, featuring two tiers of colonnades on the West Front, reminiscent of the Palazzo Chiericati in Vicenza.
Eight rooms of the house are accessible to the public, surrounded by a lush landscaped park encompassing 45 acres of the undulating Chiltern countryside, adorned with Neoclassical follies.
4. Hellfire Caves
The estate at West Wycombe Park provides a direct line of sight to the entrance of this 400-meter series of artificial caves carved into West Wycombe Hill.
The caves were specifically excavated as a meeting point for the Hellfire Club, which included many prominent figures from Georgian society.
Notable members encompassed the 4th Earl of Sandwich (recognized as the supposed inventor of the sandwich), politician John Wilkes, and painter/satirist William Hogarth.
The imposing entrance features a Gothic Revival mock ruin, whereas the interior is adorned with decorative elements inspired by Dashwood’s travels in Syria, Turkey, Greece, and Italy.
Visitors navigate through a sequence of chambers, such as Franklin’s Cave, named after American polymath Benjamin Franklin, who was another notable visitor.
5. St Lawrence’s Church
The earthworks on West Wycombe Hill indicate that it was once the location of an Iron Age hillfort.
Dedicating the location is St Lawrence’s Church, which has occupied the hill since Medieval times, serving the former village of Haveringdon during the Middle Ages.
This Grade I listed monument underwent complete renovation by Francis Dashwood in the mid-18th century.
The result is a unique amalgamation of Medieval and Neoclassical architecture, resplendent with intricate Rococo stuccowork.
One prominent feature visible from afar is the large golden finial atop the tower, believed to have been inspired by the Dogana in Venice during Dashwood’s Grand Tour.
The nave, lined with Corinthian columns, draws inspiration from a sketch by antiquarian Robert Wood depicting Palmyra’s Temple of the Sun.
The interior features trompe-l’œil paintings on the ceiling and nave, complemented by Dashwood’s personally designed mahogany choir stalls.
6. Dashwood Mausoleum
Adjacent to St Lawrence’s Church, another captivating monument upon the estate is high on West Wycombe Hill.
Francis Dashwood also designed this monumental sepulcher for his family, which possesses a unique architectural style with no known precedent.
The Dashwood Mausoleum is a hexagonal, roofless structure composed of local flint, featuring triumphal arches on all sides, framed by Doric columns and a continuous frieze.
Within, a small Ionic temple houses a pedestal and urn for Dashwood’s wife, alongside wall plaques commemorating his mother and stepmother.
Many niches previously contained statues and memorials that have since been removed; however, one urn remains, containing the heart of Paul Whitehead, the satirical writer and secretary to the Hellfire Club.
7. West Wycombe Village
To reach this charming village, follow Church Lane from the entrance to the Hellfire Caves, where the National Trust retains nearly full ownership.
West Wycombe Village consists of just three interrelated streets and showcases numerous preserved structures from as far back as the 1500s and 1700s.
Unsurprisingly, all properties in the area were once owned by the Dashwood family, and despite the village’s compact size, its strategic position made it a key stop along the coaching route connecting London and Oxford.
Remarkably, West Wycombe once hosted 17 pubs, with the historical Coaching Inn, the George & Dragon, being a noteworthy survivor.
The whole village was sold off at the close of 1929, following the Wall Street Crash, to raise necessary funds.
8. Wycombe Museum
The town’s complimentary museum occupies an enchanting location within an 18th-century flint house set amidst generous Victorian gardens.
Experience a concise overview of High Wycombe’s history through the exhibition “The History of Wycombe in 10 Objects”, which distills a vast collection of artifacts into a select few highlights.
The museum also showcases a wealth of social history, featured through vintage posters, trade coins, monochrome photographs, and a typical kitchen setup from the 1920s.
Uncover the origins of the town’s chair-making industry, view memorabilia from the local football club Wycombe Wanderers, and explore a diverse range of art, from engravings to oil paintings.
9. High Wycombe Guildhall
Located at the western end of High Wycombe High Street, this striking Georgian Guildhall stands in contrast to the contemporary Eden Centre.
Constructed in 1757, the building features an arcade that spans the street, creating an impressive first impression as approached from the east.
Designed in the Palladian style, the Guildhall prominently displays the coat of arms of its patron, the Earl of Shelburne, within its pediment.
Adjacent to the Guildhall is the Pepper Pot or Cornmarket, redesigned by the esteemed architect Robert Adam in 1761. The remainder of the High Street is noteworthy for its elegant Georgian and Victorian townhouses.
10. St Michael and All Angels, Hughenden
Benjamin Disraeli, born Jewish, converted to the Church of England at the age of twelve following a dispute involving his father and the local synagogue.
His grave can be located within the Church of St Michael and All Angels, situated on the estate.
The church is originally Norman, built at the dawn of the 12th century, and underwent expansions during Disraeli’s life, incorporating parts of the medieval structure into the modern building.
Disraeli passed in 1881 and rests in the family vault on the outer west wall of the church alongside his wife, who died nine years earlier.
The tomb is encircled by low blue railings, having been visited by Queen Victoria shortly following the funeral, due to royal protocol that prevented her attendance at the private burial.
11. The Rye and Holywell Mead
Located adjacent to the train station, this picturesque public area possesses a fascinating history.
Historically, it served as a communal area for townsfolk to graze their cattle and also includes part of the former Wycombe Abbey Estate.
The Holywell Mead occupies the site of a Roman villa and was once cultivated specifically for watercress.
The Rye Lido offers year-round swimming facilities, with a separate children’s pool and ample terraces and lawns for sunbathing during the summer months.
The Boathouse Café, situated by the Dyke in the southwest corner of the park, provides rowboat rentals on sunny days.
12. Odds Farm Park
As an alternative to rural walks and historic sites, this attraction caters specifically to children.
Odds Farm Park has received recognition as an “Approved Farm Park” by the Rare Breed Survival Trust.
The farm features a diverse array of animals, including pigs, ponies, goats, cows, sheep, chickens, donkeys, rabbits, and guinea pigs.
Children are allowed to pet rabbits and feed goats in the Undercover Animal Contact Barn, with various seasonal activities available for participation.
Activities may include feeding chickens, learning about cow milking, witnessing sheep shearing, collecting chicken eggs, observing newborn animals, and even watching sheep races.
The farm also organizes tractor rides and offers an extensive indoor play barn, mini-golf, go-karts, and an adventure maze.
13. Bradenham Estate
For those interested in extensive country estates, Bradenham lies nestled in the Chilterns, less than five miles from High Wycombe.
The 17th-century house is not open to the public; however, the National Trust manages a significant portion of the estate, set against a stunning Chiltern landscape.
The primary walking route originates from the village of Bradenham, which is also picturesque, leading four and a half miles through rolling hills crowned with ancient beech forests and descending into cultivated valleys.
The chalk grassland serves as a crucial habitat for the fly and bee orchids, as well as the small blue and Duke of Burgundy butterflies.
Visitors might catch sight of a hare darting across the fields, and deep within the woods are remnants from the Second World War.
14. Disraeli Monument
While visiting Hughenden Manor, consider a brief detour to this monument located at the crest of Tinker’s Hill, on the estate’s southern side.
Crafted from Bath stone, this 15-meter column commemorates Isaac D’Israeli, Benjamin’s father.
Commissioned by Benjamin’s wife, Mary-Anne, it was designed by Edward Buckton Lamb.
Originally intended as a surprise gift for her husband, the project remained confidential until completion.
Ultimately, the couple was so pleased with the monument that Lamb was hired to renovate Hughenden Manor in his distinctive Eclectic style.
A two-mile circular path meanders through hills, leading from the visitor welcome kiosk to the monument itself.
Once there, take a moment to appreciate the breathtaking views, which during Benjamin’s lifetime extended all the way to Windsor Castle.
15. Wycombe Wanderers F.C.
Commonly referred to as “the Chairboys” due to High Wycombe’s furniture heritage, Wycombe Wanderers was initially founded in 1884 by a group of young furniture craftsmen.
The club has traditionally declined to adopt a professional status until amateur football was abolished by the English Football Association in 1974. Since transitioning to professional status, the club has ascended as high as League One (the third tier), currently participating in the 2018-19 season.
Sports enthusiasts visiting High Wycombe with children may consider attending a match at Adams Park.
The club is one of the few in the English Football League to hold Family Excellence status.
Moreover, the 10,000-seat stadium is situated in a striking location within a steep valley in the Chilterns.
