Summary
Beaconsfield, an affluent town in Buckinghamshire, is nestled on the eastern side of the Chiltern Hills and comprises both historic and contemporary sections.
The Old Town, situated to the south, serves as a vibrant crossroads, where wide avenues are bordered by rows of elegant Georgian brick buildings, historic coaching inns, and mock-Tudor architecture.
This cultured environment hosts a weekly market on Tuesdays, alongside an array of pubs, international restaurants, and unique boutiques.
In close proximity to the train station in the newer section of town lies Bekonscot Model Village, recognized as the oldest model village globally, established in 1929. The Royal Standard of England Pub is reputed to be the most ancient free house within the UK. Visitors can enjoy outings to local museums, open farms, and National Trust properties such as Cliveden, while in June, the Chiltern Shakespeare Company performs in the enchanting outdoor setting of Hall Barn estate.
1. Beaconsfield Old Town
The historic part of Beaconsfield, situated south of the new town, exemplifies traditional rural England, complete with a parish church, open green spaces, pubs, and tea rooms.
The focal point is the intersection where the roads to London, Windsor, Wycombe, and Aylesbury converge. It is striking to observe the width of these roads, a remnant of the era when drovers herded livestock into the town en route to London.
The flat brick façades in Old Beaconsfield display Georgian architecture, some masking much older structures, alongside appealing mock Tudor and neo-Georgian residences.
As the initial stop on the stagecoach route linking Oxford and London, Old Beaconsfield is home to numerous coaching inns, predominantly found on the London End, recognizable by their substantial size.
At the Windsor End, a weekly market is held every Tuesday, complemented by an award-winning farmers’ market on the fourth Saturday of the month.
2. The Chilterns
The picturesque countryside to the north and west of Beaconsfield encompasses the Chilterns, a chalk hill range designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The rolling hills surrounding Beaconsfield are more subdued than the dramatic scarp slopes visible to the north-west, such as Coombe Hill and Haddington Hill.
Instead, the landscape features gently undulating terrain, winding lanes with country pubs nestled in the hollows, alongside occasional glimpses through thick foliage overlooking extensive farmland.
In the vicinity of High Wycombe and Beaconsfield, the beech forests historically provided high-quality hardwood for the local furniture industry, which peaked in the 19th century and continues to operate on a smaller scale today.
Numerous local walking paths are available, whether one drives to Burnham Beeches or Penn Woods, or departs from Beaconsfield on routes heading to Seer Green and Jordans.
3. Bekonscot Model Village
Renowned as the world’s inaugural model village, Bekonscot commenced not as a place for visitors but as a personal undertaking by Beaconsfield accountant Roland Callingham.
Initiated in 1929 within a spacious backyard, he enlisted domestic help to create a quintessential representation of an English rural village from the inter-war years.
The name “Bekonscot” is derived from Beaconsfield and Ascot, and soon enough, visitors began arriving to admire his creation.
Over the past nine decades, Bekonscot has expanded considerably under the stewardship of various designers and architects, featuring six villages across two acres, all constructed to a 1:12 scale.
The village includes castles, windmills, a coal mine, trams, a fishing port, and a model of Ascot Racecourse.
A gauge 1 model railway, measuring ten scale miles, could complete a full circuit of the garden in eight minutes.
4. Royal Standard of England Pub
Numerous pubs assert to be the oldest in England; however, the Royal Standard of England may very well hold that title.
This half-timbered establishment is located on a tranquil country lane in the neighboring village of Forty Green.
Dating back to Anglo-Saxon times, it is believed to be at least 900 years old and achieved its present size by the late 17th century.
Earlier, Royalists frequented the inn during the English Civil War in the 1640s, and it is believed that either Charles I or the future Charles II sought refuge in the priest hole in the ceiling of the Royal Standard.
Charles II is purported to have awarded the royal title to the establishment.
The interior features medieval floor tiles, exposed beams, and a cozy log fire, enriched by light streaming through stained glass windows.
Sunday lunches at the pub emphasize comfort food, serving generous Yorkshire puddings drizzled with gravy.
5. Jordans
Visitors may take a train to Seer Green and reach the village of Jordans in under ten minutes, a location that became a hub for Quakerism during the 1600s.
The Quaker community remains vibrant in the village, notably at the Friends Meeting House, one of the oldest Quaker worship sites in the UK that retains its 17th-century wood paneling, glass, and brickwork.
William Penn (1644-1718), the founder of Pennsylvania and the designer of Philadelphia, is interred in the yard. His statue adorns Philadelphia City Hall.
Penn was instrumental in advancing the Declaration of Indulgence (1687), which advocated for religious freedom across the British Isles.
Jordans’ Friends Meeting House was established shortly thereafter, less than a year later.
6. Burnham Beeches
The beech forests, located a few miles south of Beaconsfield, were instrumental in sustaining a furniture industry on the eastern side of the Chilterns.
The trees at Burnham Beeches have undergone generations of pollarding and harvesting, resulting in their impressive age.
The ancient nature of these woods supports a diverse ecosystem, hosting over 60 species declared rare or endangered at this Site of Special Scientific Interest.
The woods’ historic ambiance has attracted filmmakers, with scenes from The Princess Bride (1987), Goldfinger (1964), Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991), and two Harry Potter films filmed at Burnham Beeches.
7. Odds Farm Park
Odds Farm Park offers a delightful family outing with a variety of farm animals, including goats, sheep, chickens, ponies, pigs, cows, donkeys, and rabbits.
Many residents of Odds Farm are rare breeds, including the Bagot goat, with only about 200 breeding nannies still extant, and the Middle White pig, with little more than 100 breeding sows.
The farm operates year-round, allowing visitors to experience new animal births at all times. Early spring provides the unique opportunity to bottle-feed kid goats during lambing season.
Moreover, demonstrations of farm activities, such as milking and sheep-shearing, take place in May.
The park features additional attractions such as an indoor play-barn, an adventure playground, a sandpit, and go-karts, along with special seasonal workshops hosted in the craft marquee.
8. Chiltern Open Air Museum
Located in a stunning area of Buckinghamshire’s countryside to the east of Beaconsfield, the Chiltern Open Air Museum boasts over 30 traditional buildings relocated from across the Chilterns.
Included are restored thatched cottages converted from an 18th-century barn, a 1940s prefab house, a Victorian toll house, an old forge, and a collection of other agricultural buildings.
Additionally, a faithful reconstruction of an Iron Age roundhouse is available for exploration.
The museum’s assemblage of historical structures makes it a sought-after filming location, having hosted scenes from Downton Abbey.
Visitors can expect to enjoy events, celebrations, or activities taking place throughout the year, such as reenactments of Celtic life in England, May Day celebrations, harvest festivals, Roman reenactments, and insights into the challenges faced by Victorians in the Chilterns.
9. Milton’s Cottage
This half-timbered cottage in Chalfont St Giles served as a brief refuge for the 17th-century poet John Milton, yet it became the most productive period of his career.
To escape a plague outbreak in London in 1665, Milton came to this cottage and during his stay, completed Paradise Lost and began work on Paradise Regained, despite being completely blind at that time.
Today, Milton’s Cottage operates as a writer’s house museum, showcasing the most comprehensive collection of first editions of Milton’s poetry and prose.
The garden warrants exploration as it is designed in accordance with a 17th-century rural aesthetic.
10. Cliveden
This Italianate mansion, rebuilt in the mid-19th century following the destruction of its predecessors, is perched high on a ridge overlooking the Thames and boasts magnificent grounds leading down to the river.
Currently functioning as a luxury hotel, Cliveden was formerly the residence of Nancy Astor, a US immigrant who became the UK’s first woman Member of Parliament in 1919.
House tours are conducted on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, providing insights into 350 years of history and notable early 20th-century guests such as Winston Churchill and Charlie Chaplin.
The grounds are open throughout the year and are a popular destination on pleasant days, where children can enjoy the Storybook Play Den and navigate the expansive giant yew maze made up of over 1,000 trees.
The terrace and the 17th-century Borghese Balustrade captivate visitors, as does the stunning view of the Thames Valley from the parterre.
11. Dorneywood Garden
Adjacent to Cliveden lies another National Trust property, a 1930s-style garden nestled within the grounds of an 18th-century house that was renovated in the 1910s.
Dorneywood serves as a residence for a high-ranking government official, and the last two residents have been the Chancellors of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond and George Osborne.
Dorneywood Garden is open for public access on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons from late April to mid-September.
Visitors can explore the kitchen garden, cottage garden, and appreciate the vibrant herbaceous borders, roses, and a picturesque lily pond.
During a ten-day period in mid-July, the garden opens daily to the public, providing an unique opportunity to view the house’s interiors, which showcase decorative work by 20th-century artist Rex Whistler, as well as exquisite collections of paintings, furniture, and decorative arts.
12. Chiltern Shakespeare Company
A highlight of the local cultural calendar occurs in June, when the Chiltern Shakespeare Company stages performances of Shakespeare’s plays within the elegant setting of the Hall Barn estate.
The Hall Barn estate began construction in the 17th century and underwent expansions and modifications over the subsequent 200 years.
Presentations occur in “The Meadow” on the grounds, featuring a covered grandstand accommodating 450 spectators.
The performances span over eight nights, commencing from Wednesday through Saturday over two consecutive weeks starting mid-June, while auditions are held at the beginning of the year.
Recent productions include Much Ado About Nothing, Macbeth, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
13. Seer Green-Beaconsfield Walk
A leisurely opportunity to explore the signature hills and woodlands of the Chilterns is afforded by this six-mile circular trail.
While the walk features some elevation changes, the picturesque views of the lush countryside reward your efforts.
For a more direct path, take the linear route to Seer Green station and catch a train back to Beaconsfield, which takes merely three minutes.
If time permits in Seer Green, The Jolly Cricketers Pub is highly rated as one of the finest gastropubs in the country, particularly praised for its Sunday lunch offerings.
14. Go Ape Black Park
Located slightly farther afield yet worthy of a visit is this high ropes course found within Black Park Country Park.
Go Ape Black Park offers two courses: a one-kilometer Tree Top Adventure for participants aged ten and older, and Tree Top Junior, which features a shorter route primarily designed for younger climbers.
The Tree Top Adventure involves numerous challenging transitions situated up to 25 meters across and 11 meters above ground level.
Although demanding, the course provides exhilarating moments with zip-lines extending up to 166 meters.
For your comfort, remember to wear gloves and suitable clothing.
Additionally, the Nets Kingdom provides a fun space with trampolines and climbing nets suspended ten meters above ground.
For a change of pace, all-terrain Segways are available for an off-road adventure through the forest.
15. Golf
Given Beaconsfield’s affluent reputation, it is no surprise that several prestigious golf courses are nearby.
Notably, Beaconsfield Golf Club and Flackwell Heath Golf Club offer beautifully maintained courses welcoming non-members.
The 18 holes at Beaconsfield Golf Club have remained largely unchanged since their design by Harry Colt in 1913, a distinguished figure in golf course architecture.
Non-member visitors can access this course on weekdays for a reasonable fee of £70.00. Alternatively, for a more relaxed experience, there is a pay-and-play option just a couple of miles south at Hedsor Golf Course, featuring nine holes on a flat plateau surrounded by woodland, with weekend rates starting as low as £14.
