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.
December 6, 2010
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.
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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/
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October 28, 2010
Amersham Buckinghamshire
A civil parish and small market town located in the county of Buckinghamshire, England, United Kingdom, Amersham has a population of 17,700 and is divided into 2 areas, Amersham on the Hill and Old Amersham. The main residential areas are in the area of Amersham on the Hill, while the older buildings and inns are located in the charming old town, which is mostly unspoilt and very attractive. The St Mary’s parish church dates from the 13th century, and the Market Hall (in the High Street Old Amersham), dates from 1682. In the time of the Saxons the settlement was already established and known as Egmondesham, in the Domesday Book, it was recorded as Elmodesham, when it was held by Geoffrey de Mandeville. The old town of Amersham lies in the valley of the River Misbourne. Present day Amersham is a popular commuter town, with excellent road and rail links with Central London, being on both the main line and underground systems (Metropolitan Line). Old Amersham attracts many visitors, with the old town being a delightful place to visit. When the weather is fine, a walk along the River Misbourne, or a stroll along some of the many public footpaths, is a pleasant way to spend an hour of two. Other nearby places to visit include Great Missenden, Chesham, Gerrards Cross, Beaconsfield and Wendover.
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July 15, 2010
Slough Berkshire
Lying to the west of Greater London on the A4 trunk road, the town and borough of Slough was formerly part of Buckinghamshire but now comes under the county of Berkshire. With a population of around 117,000 and an area of some thirteen square miles Slough lies north of the River Thames and the town of Windsor, with the tiny village of Eton and its famous college sandwiched between the two. Though its modern day appearance does not suggest any significant history, Slough was actually a settlement (albeit a small one) way back in the 13th century when it was variously known as Slo, Slowe, Sloo, Slow and Le Slowe. Growing later as a town mostly due to the stagecoach trade, Slough is now a large industrial town. Becoming a local government area only in 1863, Slough was incorportated into Berkshire in the 1974 reshuffle. Experiencing a typical south England climate, Slough averages 45mm of rain monthly and has its best weather in the period May to September.
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March 3, 2010
Waddesdon Manor Buckinghamshire
One of Buckinghamshire’s most visited tourist attractions Waddesdon Manor is situated in the village of Waddesdon, to the west of the county town of Aylesbury. Constructed in the Renaissance style for the Rothschild family, Waddesdon Manor receives over 300,000 visitors each year, and the house hold numerous functions and events including weddings, shows ie The Antiques Roadshow, and it has been the location of a number of film shoots. Open all year round, perhaps the best time to visit is during the spring and summer when the wonderful gardens are at their best and the weather is most reliable. Waddesdon Manor was designed by Frenchman Destailleur and was completed in 1874, having the appearance of a French Renaissance chateux, it was the brainchild of Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild, part of the wealthy family who own much of the land surrounding the villages of Waddesdon and Eythrope.
Read a guide to Waddesdon here: http://www.waddesdon.my-towns.co.uk/
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