Summary
The county town of Buckinghamshire is situated at the edge of the Chiltern Hills within Aylesbury Vale’s lush agricultural landscape.
Aylesbury boasts significant regional attractions, including the County Museum and a modern theatre that opened in 2010. The celebrated children’s author Roald Dahl, a former resident of Buckinghamshire, is fondly remembered through an engaging children’s gallery connected to the County Museum.
Aylesbury holds a notable place in musical history, as the Friars Club hosted some of the most prominent music acts of the 1970s, including David Bowie’s debut performance as Ziggy Stardust.
A statue honoring Bowie resides beneath the Corn Exchange in Market Square.
Let us examine the premier attractions in Aylesbury:
1. Buckinghamshire County Museum
This museum showcases various aspects of Buckinghamshire’s human and natural history, housed within a series of stunning flat-fronted buildings on Church Street.
The oldest part of this complex includes a timber-framed guildhall dating from the 16th century, featuring well-preserved murals.
The museum provides exhibits spanning archaeology, industrial history, textiles, agriculture, and geology.
Among its key exhibits is a Cubitt car, manufactured in Aylesbury during the 1920s, one of only six surviving models globally.
A small but valuable collection of Egyptology is also on display, alongside prehistoric stone tools, Roman coins, and medieval pottery.
The expansive costume collection spans 500 years, complemented by an ever-evolving exhibition of British painting and sculpture in the Buckinghamshire Art Gallery.
The coach house behind the museum houses the Roald Dahl Children’s Gallery, which will be discussed later.
2. Market Square
This elongated, rectangular square located in the heart of Aylesbury features remarkable buildings and intriguing historical spots throughout.
At the southeast end, adjacent to the striking Corn Exchange, lies the Aylesbury Crown Court, which last operated in 2018. This Palladian structure was completed in 1740 and served as the venue where the Great Train Robbery suspects were sentenced in 1963.
In front of the court stands a statue commemorating Charles Cavendish, 3rd Baron Chesham, a soldier and politician who served during the Second Boer War.
The bronze lions flanking his statue originate from the Rothschild estate at Waddesdon Manor and have graced the square since 1888. At the opposite end of the square, a narrow passageway leads to the King’s Head Inn, one of the oldest pubs in southern England.
Aylesbury’s market operates on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, with a Vintage & Craft Bazaar taking place on Tuesdays.
3. Waddesdon Manor
A miniature version of the Château de Chambord in the Aylesbury Vale, Waddesdon Manor is a neo-Renaissance mansion constructed for Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild between 1874 and 1889. In 1957, the estate was presented to the National Trust by his great-nephew James de Rothschild and was later recognized as Large Visitor Attraction of the Year by “Visit England” in 2017. Baron Ferdinand utilized the house to display his invaluable collection of 18th-century French furniture, Beauvais and Gobelins tapestries, Sèvres ceramics, exquisite paneling, Savonnerie carpets, and works by Reynolds, Gainsborough, and 17th-century Dutch masters.
This collection has expanded through family donations, now including exceptional Renaissance maiolica, Limoges enamel, and ceremonial weaponry and armor.
Guests can also explore the gardens, designed by French landscape architect Elie Lainé, intended to captivate visitors with extravagant parterres, statuary, and fountains.
4. Buckinghamshire Railway Centre
A few miles into the picturesque countryside at Quanton Road Railway Station lies the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, a steam locomotive museum accessible during designated Steaming and Static Days.
Steaming Days are held on Sundays and also Wednesdays during school holidays, allowing visitors to experience a ride on a full-sized steam train along a track of 500 meters.
Miniature trains operate on these days as well.
On Static Days (Mondays and Tuesdays, as well as Wednesdays outside school holidays), visitors can still access the museum’s railway shed to view a remarkable array of steam locomotives, including an LSWR 0298 Class from 1874 and an operational Metropolitan Railway E Class created in 1898. Regular events showcase vintage diesel engines, mail vehicles, tractors, and fire engines, so it is advisable to check the calendar for details.
5. The Chilterns
To the east and south of Aylesbury lies the chalk escarpment of the Chiltern Hills, extending diagonally across the countryside for nearly 50 miles.
This range has been designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, providing scenic, sometimes strenuous cycling and hiking trails.
One can hike a segment of the Ridgeway, a National Trail that follows an ancient path along the hilltops, traversed since prehistoric times.
The National Trust has made significant portions of the land publicly accessible following estate donations.
The scenic viewpoint at Coombe Hill is a key highlight, while further south, the Bradenham Estate features ancient beech woodlands carpeted in bluebells during spring, surrounding a quaint village composed of brick and flint cottages.
6. Coombe Hill
Located just a few short miles south, Coombe Hill is the highest and perhaps the finest viewpoint in the Chilterns.
This patch of “Chilterns Countryside” was formerly part of land owned by Chequers, the Prime Minister’s country residence.
From the summit, one can spot the triangular gables of this impressive Tudor mansion to the southwest.
A popular local walking route, Coombe Hill reaches a height of 260 meters and is marked by a monument erected in 1904 to honor the Second Boer War.
The hill is adorned with acid moorland and deciduous woodlands, serving as a habitat for wild orchids and various birds such as firecrests, yellowhammers, and red kites.
Visitors can view the triangulation point, which identifies visible landmarks such as Waddesdon Manor, Aylesbury Church, and even the Cotswolds, located 53 miles to the west.
7. Roald Dahl Children’s Gallery
Housed in a charming former coach house, the Roald Dahl Children’s Gallery utilizes the beloved author’s works and characters to create educational displays focused on literature, history, and science.
This museum provides an immersive experience for children, featuring artworks by Quentin Blake, known for his illustrations in Roald Dahl’s books.
Children can explore Willy Wonka’s inventions, learn about sound with the BFG, crawl through Mr. Fox’s tunnel, and discover “minibeasts” within the Giant Peach.
The interactive exhibits encourage children to engage in activities such as appearing on screen, freezing their shadows, and magnifying fleas.
This attraction, managed by the Buckinghamshire County Museum, also includes a shop, tranquil garden, and café.
8. Waterside Theatre
The impressive Waterside Theatre, seating 1,200 guests, opened in 2010, with a design that reflects the undulating shape of the Chiltern Hills.
Located along the Grand Union Canal, the venue was in development for nearly a decade, costing £47 million.
It features state-of-the-art acoustics that can be tailored to suit different events.
The Waterside Theatre caters to a wide range of aesthetic preferences, hosting touring West End musicals, established musicians across genres (pop, jazz, and classical), tribute performances, stand-up comedy, opera, ballet, and contemporary dance.
Additionally, it offers live screenings from the National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, and Royal Opera House.
Outside the theatre, there is a seated statue of Ronnie Barker, a cherished 20th-century comedian who began his career in Aylesbury’s repertory theatre.
9. Grand Union Canal
The inauguration of the Aylesbury arm of the Grand Union Canal in 1814 ushered industrial activity into the town for the first time.
A proposed extension of the Grand Union Canal to the Kennet & Avon Canal to the south would have established an extensive network reaching Bristol, but this ambition was ultimately thwarted due to insufficient water supply.
Today, the Grand Union Canal serves primarily recreational boaters and pedestrians.
Visitors have the option to hire a narrowboat for a day in Aylesbury or use the town as an embarkation point for a self-guided three or four-day cruise.
Strollers can enjoy the peaceful towpath leading to Marsworth, which features 16 historic locks along the route.
In September 2018, Aylesbury launched its inaugural Waterside Festival that featured boat trips, live music, and a continental market with over 30 stalls.
10. St Mary the Virgin’s Church
Located on the west side of the town center, amidst a historically rich graveyard adorned with historic houses, this parish church is a Grade I-listed structure.
The site is believed to date back to Anglo-Saxon times, though the present church is rooted in the early 13th century.
St Mary’s stands as a notable landmark in Aylesbury with an impressive clock tower visible from nearly every part of the town.
The spire, thought to date from the 17th century, was erected during the reign of Charles II. Inside, visitors can explore the 14th-century Lady Chapel located in the north transept, which features an exquisite sedilia (stone seat) with pointed arches.
The same transept also houses a beautiful 17th-century alabaster monument honoring Sir Henry Lee, who served as Master of the Armouries under Queen Elizabeth I.
11. King’s Head Inn
One of the prominent buildings in Market Square, this National Trust pub features elements dating back 800 years.
The King’s Head is among the oldest coaching inns in southern England, established around the mid-15th century.
It is believed that King Henry VI and Margaret of Anjou were guests here during this period, and a stained glass panel from the dissolved Greyfriars Monastery displays the royal coats of arms.
The Great Hall, dating from the 15th century, retains its original wattle and daub walls, while the 13th-century cellars are believed to have belonged to a friary on this site.
Make sure to view the medieval hearth in the Gatehouse Chamber, which bears graffiti potentially left by Parliamentarian troops during the English Civil War.
12. Vale Park
The primary green space in Aylesbury’s center, Vale Park is located north of Hilda Wharf along the Grand Union Canal.
Vale Park features contemporary design elements, with vibrant flowerbeds, paved paths, a children’s playground, and a skate park for older youths.
On the park’s northern side, Aqua Vale Swimming and Fitness Centre includes a café, and free access to tarmac-surfaced tennis courts is available.
Vale Park hosts various summer events, including “Play in the Park,” a day dedicated to children at the start of August, featuring numerous activities and games to celebrate National Play Day.
At the end of August, the Parklife Weekend brings a funfair, children’s entertainment, and live music, marking Aylesbury’s largest annual event.
13. Bedgrove Park
On the southeastern outskirts of Aylesbury, this Green Flag park consists of woodlands, wildflower meadows, and sports facilities.
Families can take young children to the expansive, fenced playground, designed like a picturesque countryside with gentle rolling hills.
During sunny weather, the park offers an ideal picnic setting with lovely views of the Chilterns to the south, while the uniquely designed round hall functions as a community center available for hire on weekends, including children’s workshops, dance classes, and exercise sessions.
14. David Bowie Statue
In March 2018, a tribute to David Bowie was unveiled in the Market Square beneath the arches.
The town shares a close association with the iconic musician, who passed away in 2016, as he premiered his Ziggy Stardust persona at Aylesbury’s Friars Club in the early 1970s.
This bronze sculpture captures various Bowie personas, featuring life-sized representations of the Thin White Duke and Ziggy Stardust.
Entitled “Earthly Messenger,” it includes speakers that play a different Bowie song each hour.
15. Wendover Woods
The Forestry Commission manages a stunning expanse of the Chilterns near Aylesbury, encompassing 800 acres, including the highest point in the range, Haddington Hill at 267 meters.
Wendover Woods consist of a blend of broadleaf and softwood trees, and the signposted trails provide breathtaking views over Aylesbury Vale to the north.
Wendover Woods also features a Go Ape high ropes park, with an exciting 685-meter Treetop Adventure course for participants aged ten and up, alongside Treetop Junior for younger visitors, which includes an 85-meter zip-line.
