Aylesbury

Aylesbury is the county town of Buckinghamshire.

Understand

The town dates back to the 4th century BC when it was an Iron age hill fort. By Anglo Saxon times it had grown to be a major market town. In 1529 Henry VIII declared the town the town as the county town of Buckinghamshire although, it is thought the decision was more to gain favour with Thomas Boleyn (father of Anne Boleyn) who was owner of Aylesbury Manor. 1603/4 saw the population decimated by plague. The town played a significant role in the Civil War when it was a stronghold for Parliamentarian forces (1642 was the Battle of Aylesbury, won by the Parliamentarians).

Other "claims to fame":

  • A stronghold for the Parliamentarian forces in the English Civil War (1642 say the Battle of Aylesbury - won by Parliamentarians). Nearby Great Hampden has resulted in John Hampden becoming something of a "local hero"
  • The Aylesbury duck - breed of domesticated duck bred for meat and appearance although only one breed remains active today.
  • Great Train Robbery (1963) culprits were tried in Aylesbury Crown Court (1964)
  • Home to Stoke Mandeville Hospital, which includes one of the world's leading centres for research, treatment, and rehabilitation of spinal injuries. The hospital is even more notable as the birthplace of the Paralympic Games. The UK's National Centre for Disability Sport is located next to the hospital, including an athletics stadium, indoor arenas for court sports and bowls, tennis courts, and a 25-metre swimming pool.

In 2005 the town was selected to be one of 6 "Cycling Demonstration Towns" receiving significant funding to develop cycling and cycle infrastructure in and around the town. As a result of this the town is well served by local cycle routes.

Get in

By road

By rail

By bicycle

On foot

The Ridgeway Footpath (87 miles) running from Overton Hill in Avebury to Ivinghoe Beacon near Tring passes 5 miles SE of Aylesbury through Wendover.

Get around

Walking and cycling are both popular ways for exploring nearby hinterland. There has been substantial investment in a cycle route network

On foot

Aylesbury is a fairly small town with some parts of the centre being pedestrianised, thus making it an ideal place to walk around.

By bus

Local and county wide bus service operated by Arriva Bus

See

Do

Visit Butler's Cross on a sunny day to see a view of the town from a hill.

Grand Union Canal - hire a narrowboat for a day or two to cruise.

Take in a play at the beautiful Waterside Theatre, opened in 2010.

Buy

A historic market town, Aylesbury has a daily market in the town centre. Products include fruit, vegetables, clothes, horticulture and media. Every so often on the weekend a French Market operates, bringing with it cheeses, bread and various other French delicacies.

Supermarkets
  • 🌍 Tesco (Supermarket), Tring Rd, Aylesbury HP20 1PQ, ☏ +44 345 677 9013. M 6AM-midnight; Tu-Sa 24 hr; Su 10AM-4PM. Petrol station (different hours), ATMs, pharmacy (different hours) (updated May 2017)
  • 🌍 Morrissons (Supermarket), Station Way West, Aylesbury HP20 2HX, ☏ +44 1296 392055. M-Sa 7AM-10PM; Su 10AM-4PM. Cafe & pharmacy (different hours). ATMs (updated May 2017)

Eat

Restaurants are dotted around the town centre, ranging from fast food to à la carte.

Drink

The main late night venue's are situated around the cinema area, and also Kingsbury Square.

  • 🌍 The Harrow, 4 Cambridge St, Aylesbury, HP20 1RS, ☏ +44 1296 336 243. M-Th Noon-11PM, F Sa Noon-1:30AM, Su Noon-9PM. (updated Dec 2022)
  • 🌍 The Queens Head, 1 Temple St, Aylesbury HP20 2QA, ☏ +44 1296 415 484. S-Th Noon-11PM, F Sa Noon-2AM. (updated Dec 2022)

Aylesbury also has a number of excellent pubs selling locally brewed beer including

Out of Town

Sleep
  • Town centre has many small B&Bs.
  • Lots of self-catering is available for short or long stays.

West of Aylesbury
  • 🌍 Five Arrows, High St, Waddesdon HP18 0JE, ☏ +44 1296 651727. When Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild built Waddesdon Manor from 1874, it was so elaborate that he first needed to build a manor house to accommodate the architects and craft builders. That's nowadays this upscale hotel in retro-Tudor style with a bit of chateau thrown in. B&B double £200. (updated Jul 2020)
  • 🌍 The Pointer, 27 Church St, Brill HP18 9RT, ☏ +44 1844 238339. Named for the family not the dog, but it suits the country style of this pub with rooms. Good dining. B&B double £120. (updated Jul 2020)

Connect
  • 🌍 Post Office, 25 - 29 High St, Aylesbury HP20 1SH. M-Sa 9AM-5:30; Su 10AM-4PM. (updated May 2017)

Go next
  • North to Buckingham 17 mi (27 km) on the A413.
  • North east to Leighton Buzzard 11 mi (18 km) on the A418.
  • East to Tring 9 mi (14 km) on the A413 or by train or the Grand Union Canal.
  • then onto Amersham 14 mi (23 km)
  • South to Wendover 5 mi (8.0 km) on the A413 or by train.
  • South to High Wycombe 14 mi (23 km) on the A4010.
  • South West to Thame 11 mi (18 km) on the A418.
  • North west to Bicester 18 mi (29 km) on the A41 and the Bicester Shopping Village.
Routes through Aylesbury
Birmingham ← Bicester ←  NW  SE  → Tring → London


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