Summary
With no large urban centers, most residents of Buckinghamshire inhabit charming market towns with historic centers.
In this county, one can scarcely travel a mile without encountering a distinguished country estate, many of which are maintained by the National Trust or English Heritage and are open for public exploration: Cliveden, Waddesdon Manor, Hughenden Manor, Stowe House, and more.
The northern part of the county comprises arable farms and small villages set in gently rolling countryside, while the southern region features the Chiltern Range, ideal for challenging hikes and remarkable panoramas from Ivinghoe Beacon and Coombe Hill.
Let us examine the top destinations in Buckinghamshire:
1. Marlow
The town of Marlow presents an extraordinarily picturesque riverside community, featuring splendid mansions along the water and numerous entertaining events occurring on the river during summer.
Marlow is one of the towns along the Thames where the ritual of “swan upping” occurs.
By an unusual historical decree, all unmarked mute swans belong to the crown, and approximately in late July, the monarchy conducts a census of the swans by rounding them up, tagging them, and subsequently releasing them.
The bridge in Marlow is a smaller iteration of the renowned Chain Bridge in Budapest, having been designed by the same architect, William Tierney Clark, in the late 1820s.
2. Milton Keynes
As a “new town” that emerged in the 1960s, Milton Keynes stands apart from other selections on this list, as its appeal does not stem from historical significance, landscapes, or architectural style.
Instead, Milton Keynes offers a compelling narrative from the 20th century.
To the southeast of the town lies Bletchley Park, where British codebreakers, including Alan Turing, deciphered the Lorenz and Enigma codes during the Second World War.
Just a few streets away, the National Museum of Computing houses a collection of machines from the dawn of computing history, including the Colossus, instrumental in deciphering the Lorenz cipher.
3. Aylesbury
The county town of Buckinghamshire features a delightful Georgian center, accented with timber Tudor and Jacobean houses scattered throughout.
Among these is the King’s Head Coaching Inn, a historic pub centered around a cobbled courtyard where horses were once stabled.
A market still operates four days per week in Amersham in front of the County Court, which has stood since 1740. In Aylesbury, one should seize the opportunity to explore the nearby Chilterns.
Coombe Hill is in close proximity and offers breathtaking views that include the Prime Minister’s residence at Chequers.
Moreover, Waddesdon Manor, reminiscent of a Loire Valley chateau, was designed as a weekend retreat for Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild.
4. Buckingham
Once a significant settlement during Anglo-Saxon times, Buckingham was designated as a county town in the 900s by King Alfred the Great.
A catastrophic fire devastated Buckingham in 1725, leading to the reconstruction that produced the elegant Georgian streetscapes visible today.
Situated on the high street is the Old Gaol, which resembles a castle with its romantic Gothic revival architecture, dating back to the 18th century.
Inside, there is a small yet informative museum detailing Buckingham’s history, including narratives of individuals imprisoned here during the 1700s and 1800s.
The Chantry Chapel, managed by the National Trust, is one of the oldest edifices, primarily constructed in the 1400s.
One of England’s premier gardens is located just minutes away at Stowe and is stunning during all seasons.
5. High Wycombe
Nestled in a steep valley within the Chilterns, High Wycombe is a charming town featuring a market that operates on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
The most stunning architecture can be found around the pedestrianized high street, predominantly characterized by Georgian style.
Look for the Pepper Pot, the arcaded market hall created by the eminent 18th-century architect Robert Adam, along with the magnificent Guildhall, built in 1757 and also featuring arcades. Just on the northern fringes of High Wycombe lies Hughenden Manor, the grand red-brick residence of 19th-century Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli.
The house has been preserved to reflect its condition during Disraeli’s time, and his study and library are sure to captivate any enthusiast of Victorian history.
6. Wendover
A truly picturesque town in the Chilterns, Wendover is a delightful stop along the Ridgeway National Trail or during a scenic drive through the hills.
The town boasts a variety of local businesses, including antique shops, tea rooms, pubs, delicatessens, and chocolate shops.
The charming street scenes exhibit timber-framed thatched cottages and grand coaching inns.
Located a short drive from Wendover is the Chiltern Brewery, the oldest independent brewery within the Chiltern Range, featuring several award-winning beers.
The Chiltern Brewery invites visitors for guided tours of their brew house, along with a combined beer and food tasting experience.
7. Great Missenden
This charming and affluent village has housed numerous notable residents, including two prime ministers and the author Robert Louis Stevenson, known for writing Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
Nevertheless, none resided as long as the beloved children’s author Roald Dahl, who lived in Great Missenden for 36 years and penned many of his most popular works during that time.
The village has established the Roald Dahl Village Trail, guiding visitors to various locations around the village that inspired the writer, and also directs them to his grave.
Families are encouraged to visit the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre, celebrating his stories and characters while introducing his work to younger generations.
8. Princes Risborough
This small yet well-preserved market town of Princes Risborough is well worth an afternoon of exploration.
The high street features a 17th-century red brick market hall topped with a cupola.
If you venture into the side streets adorned with wrought iron lanterns, you will discover timber-framed houses and a selection of inviting countryside pubs.
The Ridgeway National Trail passes nearby on the route to Ivinghoe Beacon, and on local Whiteleaf Hill lies Whiteleaf Cross: a monumental chalk carving of a type often found in the West Country, dating back to at least the early 1700s, although it may be significantly older.
9. Beaconsfield
A prosperous market town, Beaconsfield is home to several independent shops and pubs to explore, in addition to some unique attractions not found elsewhere.
One highlight is the Bekonscot Model Village and Railway, recognized as the oldest model village in the world.
This attraction was created by an accountant named Roland Callingham, who began constructing it in his own garden starting in 1929.
Situated just a minute or two outside Beaconsfield is the Royal Standard of England, which claims to be the oldest pub in the country, with its history traceable back 900 years.
Among the various significant figures who visited was Charles I during the English Civil War.
10. Chesham
As a terminus of the Metropolitan Line, Chesham possesses the unique characteristic of being a country town on London’s Underground.
It is located in a remarkable setting, as the Chess River boasts some of the most stunning landscapes in the Chilterns.
The Chess Valley Walk, easily accessible from Chesham, meanders along the banks of this clear chalk river, renowned for its crystal-clear waters, kingfishers, red kites, and charming villages.
11. West Wycombe
This charming rural town, set against the backdrop of the southern Chilterns, has a history closely tied to the Dashwood family.
One notable member, Sir Francis Dashwood, was a notorious libertine and bon vivant who founded the infamous Hellfire Club in the mid-1700s.
He excavated 500 meters of tunnels in the chalk beneath the town, serving as the meeting place for the Hellfire Club, where they would gather for banquets, rituals, and various indiscretions.
After nearly two centuries of neglect, these caves were restored post-war and now serve as a tourist attraction.
Similarly, Dashwood’s pleasure palace, West Wycombe Park, stands as an impressive mansion in the Palladian style.
12. Stony Stratford
Located in the northwest of Milton Keynes, Stony Stratford is a quaint old town that provides a stark contrast to its modern surroundings.
This town was one of the principal rest stops on the route from Chester to London until the construction of the railway in the 19th century, which effectively froze its evolution until the 20th century.
Stony Stratford features pubs, tea rooms, restaurants, and boutique shops within its charming Georgian architecture.
Additionally, scenes from the 1987 comedy Withnail and I were filmed in various establishments around the picturesque market square.
Further emphasizing Stony Stratford’s rural appeal, a folk music festival is held every June on the Horsefair Green, featuring bands from the region.
