The largest town in the Chiltern District of Buckinghamshire, lying in the south-east of the county, Chesham is a market town situated in a steep sided valley at the source of the River Chess. A progressive town with a population of around 20,000, Chesham is a popular commuter town which is on the London Underground line (Metropolitan), giving good access to the capital. Chesham holds a market twice a week, much as it has done for centuries, and a more recent addition, the Elgiva Theatre attracts thousands of visitors to the town, providing much needed entertainment for both its residents and those living nearby. Surrounded by wide expanses of beautiful countryside, Chesham offers plenty of opportunity for walking and cycling, while providing a relaxed and friendly shopping experience for those choosing to stay in the town centre. Places of interest nearby include the Hertfordshire village of Bovingdon, which holds a well known Saturday market on its disused airport, on the same airport you can try out paintballing or watch banger racing, should you wish, and also the pretty village of Ashley Green, a charming place to spend an hour or two.
December 8, 2010
December 7, 2010
Princes Risborough Buckinghamshire
Lying in a broad gap in the western Chilton Hills, the small town of Princes Risborough has a history going back to Anglo Saxon times and beyond, it was recorded in the Domesday Book, and the manor eventually passed to Edward the Black Prince, giving it the “Princes” part of its name. Later Princes Risborough received its charter to hold a weekly market from Henry VIII in 1523, it also from this time held 2 annual fairs. This expanding town still has many thatched and timbered cottages in its historic centre, its brick market house is topped with a wooden cupola, the National Trust run manor house dates from the 17th century, it has a Jacobean staircase and 18th century wainscoting. Princes Risborough is situated roughly midway between Aylesbury and High Wycombe.
December 6, 2010
Newport Pagnell Buckinghamshire
A town which has now been virtually swallowed up by the ever growing Milton Keynes, Newport Pagnell is a historic town standing beside the River Ouzel in Buckinghamshire. Recorded as Neuport in the Domesday Book of 1086 this former Saxon settlement was taken over by the Normans and the Pagnell suffix was added later as the manor was taken over by the Pagnell family. A significant river crossing over the River Ouzel, the Tickford Bidge at Newport Pagnell, is the oldest constantly used iron bridge in the world, dating from 1810. For many years Newport Pagnell was where Aston Martin cars were built, though production has now been moved to Gaydon (Warks). Newport Pagnell has a population of around 15,000.
Abbotsbury Dorset
A picturesque, and peaceful rural village located inland of Chesil Bank, in the county of Dorset, England, Abbotsbury attracts many thousands of visitors each year, who not only arrive to enjoy the charm of the place but also to see the famous Abbotsbury Swannery and also the nearby Subtropical Gardens. The Swannery was established by Benedictine Monks, hundreds of years ago, and now visitors can feed over 600 friendly mute swans and walk amongst these extraordinary birds. The Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens were established by the Countess of Ilchester in 1765 and contain many rare and exotic plants over an area of 20 acres of Dorset countryside.
Buckingham Buckinghamshire
The original county town of Buckinghamshire, Buckingham was replaced by Aylesbury during the 16th century. A settlement since Saxon times it was founded by the Saxon chieftain Bucca close to the River Great Ouse. The town was controlled at various times by both Danes and Saxons as the two rivals battled with each other. A market town since ancient times, Buckingham still holds 2 weekly markets on Tuesdays and Saturdays and also holds a monthly Farmers Market. Buckingham these days has a population of 11,572 though is an expanding town so this will no doubt grow over the coming years. Its historic centre and market place is mostly unspoilt and boasts a number of fine 18th century buildings. The University of Buckingham is situated roughly where the original Saxon settlement was located in a loop of the Great Ouse, attracting academics and students to Buckingham from Buckinghamshire, Oxford and the rest of the UK.
December 3, 2010
Gulliver’s Land Milton Keynes
To entertain the kids on a visit to Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire, pay a visit to Gulliver’s Land, a children’s theme park, located at Newlands, just outside the town. Perfect for a day out especially when the weather is fine, Gulliver’s land boasts 7 distinct sections, Toy Land, Lilliput Land, Junior Discovery Cove, Adventure Land, Discovery Bay, Lilliput Land Castle and Main Street, and offers lots to keep the kids amused for a few hours. Standard entry prices fro 2010 are £13.50 for both adults and children, and a daily passport is £49.99. To find Gulliver’s Land, head for the Willen Lake area of Milton Keynes, and follow the brown Gulliver’s Land signposts.
See a map of Milton Keynes here: http://www.milton-keynes-map.my-towns.co.uk/