Summary
The affluent Georgian town of Buckingham was designated as the county town of Buckinghamshire by Alfred the Great as early as the 9th century.
In the 16th century, Buckingham relinquished that title to Aylesbury, shortly before Mary Tudor granted it the privilege to hold a weekly market, which continues to operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Significant attractions such as Stowe and Silverstone are located a short distance from Buckingham. Moreover, a stroll along the town trail, which offers insights into Buckingham’s 18th-century streetscapes, typically requires an hour or two, culminating in a visit to the Old Gaol.
Sir George Gilbert Scott (1811-1878), a distinguished Victorian architect and master restorer, was born just outside Buckingham in Gawcott, and designed many of the town’s landmarks, including the Old Gaol, St Peter and Paul Church, and the Medieval Chantry Chapel.
1. Buckingham Town Trail
The initial stop should be Buckingham Old Gaol on the High Street, which operates both as a museum and the Tourist Information Centre, providing maps for the town trail.
Buckingham underwent significant reconstruction during the early 18th century, resulting in a distinguished Georgian townscape conducive to leisurely exploration.
A picturesque avenue leads to the Old Gaol, situated between the High Street and Ouse Valley Way, while the solemn Old Town at the southern endpoint of the Market Square was completed in 1783, featuring filled-in arches that once accommodated a market.
Take the opportunity to explore the narrow, winding streets of the Old Town, where you might discover a range of locally operated boutiques, tearooms, bakeries, restaurants, and gift shops that pique your interest.
2. National Trust Stowe
The Stowe Estate has historical significance, having belonged to the Temple-Grenville family, known for their wealth and eccentricities.
Throughout the 18th century, this affluent family continued to redevelop Stowe House in increasingly extravagant styles, surrounding it with a picturesque landscape adorned with Classical temples symbolizing the Grand Tours.
The expansive grounds are managed by the National Trust and are open to the public every day of the year.
Due to the numerous attractions available, they provide a distinct experience worth exploring.
Notable landscape architects of the Georgian era, such as Charles Bridgeman, William Kent, and Capability Brown, contributed to Stowe, leaving behind a remarkable collection of monuments that create one of the largest clusters of Grade I listed buildings in the UK.
Among the highlights to explore are the Lake Pavilions (1719), the Statue of George II (1724), Boycott Pavilions (1728-29), the Temple of Ancient Virtue (1737), Palladian Bridge (1744), the Corinthian Arch (1765), and the Cook Monument from 1778 honoring Captain James Cook.
3. Stowe House
The magnificent country house on the estate is not owned by the National Trust; however, it opens for guided tours to facilitate ongoing restoration efforts.
Stowe House was constructed over four distinct phases spanning a century, commencing in 1677, culminating in nine years of sumptuous construction commissioned by Earl Temple.
The interiors draw inspiration from Classical ruins and mythology, intricately woven into nearly every aspect of the architectural design.
Stowe House has welcomed numerous esteemed guests, including Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, who were impressed by the grandiose splendor of the structure and its elaborate decor.
Key highlights include the Pantheon-inspired Marble Saloon, the North Hall featuring an extraordinary painted ceiling, the State Music Room adorned with elaborate gilding, and the State Dining Room with octagonal ceiling paintings reflecting Classical mythology amidst opulent gilded stucco work.
Visitors may choose between a 15-minute or a 45-minute tour, departing at the hour or half-hour, respectively.
4. Old Gaol Museum
Buckingham’s Georgian gaol is a Gothic Revival structure designed like a castle, constructed in 1748. The building’s rounded facade is a subsequent addition by Sir George Gilbert Scott in 1839, intended for the gaoler’s accommodation.
For much of the 19th century, the Old Gaol functioned as a police station, later transitioning to roles including a fire station, public restroom, antiques shop, and café, before its transformation into a museum in the 1980s.
The museum offers insights into the lives of thieves, poachers, counterfeiters, and murderers imprisoned here, some of whom executed daring escapes.
Additionally, the museum chronicles Buckingham’s history, featuring exhibitions such as the Lenborough Hoard, which comprises 5,000 Anglo-Saxon-era coins discovered in a nearby field in 2014.
5. Chantry Chapel
A significant fire in 1725 devastated most of Buckingham, resulting in the loss of many historical buildings.
The Chantry Chapel stands as the oldest surviving structure, owned by the National Trust.
Dating back to the 12th century, this site originally functioned as a hospital before being converted into a chantry chapel (serving the souls of affluent benefactors) in 1238 by Archdeacon Matthew de Stratton.
The building underwent renovations in the 1470s, with a prominent 12th-century Norman feature evident in the round-arched main portal embellished with lozenge patterns on its archivolts.
Following the Reformation, the chapel was adopted by Buckingham’s Royal Latin School and was restored by Sir George Gilbert Scott in 1875, subsequently becoming a bookstore.
6. National Trust Claydon
If Stowe does not offer sufficient appeal, consider an excursion to the 18th-century Claydon House, a pleasant drive south of Buckingham.
Completed in 1771, this Neoclassical residence features simple, understated facades that contrast with its vibrant Rococo interiors.
Managed by the National Trust, the house remains the residence of the Verney family, who have called it home since 1620. Visitors may explore exquisite rooms, including the Chinese Room showcasing remarkable chinoiserie and the Museum Room displaying an array of curiosities collected by the Verneys, which may include a Javanese gamelan or an orange gifted to a soldier by Florence Nightingale during the Crimean War.
The 18th-century garden, adorned with herbaceous borders, a substantial walled garden, ornamental pools, and a splendid old glasshouse, is not to be overlooked.
This garden was designed by John Sanderson, who was mentored by Capability Brown.
7. Silverstone
Located merely six miles away, Buckingham is among the closest towns to the British Grand Prix’s location.
Like many racing circuits, Silverstone originated as an airfield, specifically a WWII-era RAF bomber station, with its three runways forming the outline of the track.
Since 1948, the circuit has hosted the British Grand Prix, typically occurring in mid-July.
Silverstone also hosts numerous other major events, including MotoGP (held in late August), the FIA World Endurance Championship (mid-August), and the FIA World Rallycross Championship at the end of May.
In addition to events such as classic car festivals and club meetings from spring to autumn, the circuit offers a variety of driving experiences on the track.
Participants can take the wheel of a single-seater race car, an Aston Martin Vantage, or a Ferrari F430 coupe, among others, or hone their drifting skills behind the wheel of a 165bhp Caterham.
8. St Peter and Paul Church
The Anglican parish church of Buckingham is a Grade I listed structure; however, its current appearance is relatively modern.
Prior to the late 18th century, a medieval church existed at this site, but owing to repeated collapses of the spire, a new building had to be constructed.
This initial Georgian structure was later redesigned in the neo-Gothic style with the highest standards of Victorian craftsmanship by Sir George Gilbert Scott in the 1860s.
Elements from the earlier church were repurposed within the new structure, including ornately designed pew ends and poppy heads in the Lady Chapel dating to the early 16th century.
Additionally, a charity board featuring a gilded frame from 1685 and a chandelier from 1705 with a gilded dove are noteworthy features.
9. Railway Walk
This path stretches for 1.3 kilometers along a disused railway line between Tingewick Road and the A421 southern bypass. As of 2019, this path has been undergoing efforts to establish it as a formal right of way by Buckingham Town Council.
Initiated in 2003 as a wildlife preservation project, the Railway Walk involved the clearing of scrubland and the creation of habitats for birds, insects, small mammals, and reptiles.
Though short, this route leads through diverse habitats, including open water, marshlands, orchards, grasslands, and woodlands.
Furthermore, visitors may observe the remnants of the medieval St Rumbold’s Well located beside the path.
10. Evenley Wood Garden
Located a few miles into Northamptonshire, Evenley Wood Garden exists on a seam of acid soil amidst an otherwise alkaline environment.
This unique condition allows for the cultivation of plants such as magnolias, rhododendrons, and camellias, which are typically unsuitable for growth in the area.
As indicated by its name, this woodland garden spans 60 acres and is enriched with rare tree species, alongside numerous bulbs and shrubs.
Key seasonal highlights include an impressive exhibit of 80 varieties of snowdrops in February, the mesmerizing 800-meter scilla “stream,” an abundant collection of approximately 100 magnolias, as well as azaleas and rhododendrons.
The summer months bring the joy of 150 types of lilies, including a local variety developed and propagated on-site, along with 300 roses.
Finally, the autumn months showcase stunning colors as the garden’s oak, maple, apple, and pear trees change foliage.
11. Thornborough Bridge
Situated just beyond the eastern boundary of the parish, Thornborough Bridge represents the sole surviving Medieval bridge in Buckinghamshire.
This bridge, located along the historic Buckingham to Bletchley route, dates back to the late 14th century.
Spanning the Padbury Brook, a tributary of the River Great Ouse, this Grade I-listed bridge features six pointed arches and three triangular refuges integrated into the parapet.
Until 1974, Thornborough Bridge facilitated the passage of the A421 road over the Padbury Brook prior to the construction of a new road bridge.
12. The Film Place
Buckingham’s sole cinema is uniquely situated within a lecture theatre at the University of Buckingham.
The Film Place serves as a genuine community initiative, screening independent films from the UK and around the world, along with new Hollywood releases and live broadcasts from the West End in a 160-seat auditorium, partially supported by the National Lottery through the British Film Institute.
The organization operating The Film Place is a not-for-profit charity, staffed entirely by volunteers.
Film screenings occur on Friday and Saturday evenings, with ticket and concession prices deliberately kept affordable to attract a diverse audience.
13. Chandos Park
A serene location to unwind after exploring Buckingham, Chandos Park is situated along the River Great Ouse as it winds through the main campus of the University of Buckingham.
The park features benches for riverside picnics, accompanied by a children’s playground and facilities for tennis, bowls, and football/basketball.
The river’s clarity enables glimpses of fish and crayfish from the bridges, while children often wade into the water during summer.
14. Buckingham Summer Festival
Now in its 30th year, the Buckingham Summer Festival invites eminent classical music performers to the town for a week in July.
Centered around the Radcliffe Centre, a plethora of live music is showcased throughout the day.
Morning piano recitals, lunchtime performances by various duos, trios, and quartets, followed by large-scale evening concerts featuring the festival’s regular ensemble (mainly from the Orchestra of Stowe Opera) and distinguished guests from the classical music scene are all highlights of the event.
What makes this festival particularly special is its eclectic mix of musical genres; for instance, in 2018, attendees experienced Mozart, Dvořák, and Argentinean tango all in one day.
Additionally, a “Winter Warmer” concert is held every March to preview the annual festival.
15. Buckingham Market
The town was initially granted its market charter by Mary Tudor in 1554, thus when shopping at Buckingham’s weekly street markets, visitors partake in a tradition that spans over 450 years.
These markets are held on Market Hill every Tuesday and Saturday, with the historic Old Gaol providing an atmospheric backdrop.
The variety of goods offered may vary with each visit; however, visitors can generally expect to find an assortment of fruits and vegetables, fresh bread, pastries, pies, confectionery, seafood, floral arrangements, haberdashery, clothing, watches, home goods, tools, and products for pets.
