Aylesbury (original) (raw)

Aylesbury is the county town of Buckinghamshire.

Aylesbury Clocktower

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.

• The town lies on the A41 London to Birkenhead road, running to Tring, Berkhamsted, Hemel Hempstead, Kings Langley, Watford and London to the SE and to Bicester and the M40 motorway to the NW.
• The A418 connects the town to Oxford to the W and to Leighton Buzzard to the NE.
• The A413 connects the town to Amersham and West London to the SE.
• The A4010 connects the town to High Wycombe

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

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Map of Aylesbury

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

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

Local and county wide bus service operated by Arriva Bus

Waddesdon Manor

John Hampden Statue

• Aylesbury Vale, beautiful winding hills around the town
• 51.816667-0.81251 John Hampden statue, Market Square, Aylesbury (Opposite statue of Benjamin Disraeli (8m away)). Local lad turned great Parliamentarian leader during the English Civil War. (updated May 2017)
• 51.8172-0.81512 Buckinghamshire County Museum, Church St, Aylesbury, HP20 2QP, ☏ +44 1296 331441, museum@buckscountymuseum.org. (updated May 2017)
• Market Square
• 51.8173-0.81513 Roald Dahl Children's Gallery, Church St, Aylesbury HP20 2QP, ☏ +44 1296 331441. Child (4-18 yrs), concessions £4.95; Under 4s Free; Adult £6.95; Family/group ticket £20.00.
• 51.766-0.92164 St Tiggywinkles, Aston Road, Haddenham, HP17 8AF, ☏ +44 1844 292292, visitor@tiggywinkles.org. Daily 10AM-4PM. Animal welfare hospital for wild animals. Adult £5.10; Children (4-17) £3.20; Under 4's & over 65's free. (updated May 2017)
• 51.840801-0.926295 Waddesdon Manor, Waddesdon, near Aylesbury, HP18 0JH (6 miles west of Aylesbury), ☏ +44 1296 653226, waddesdonmanor@nationaltrust.org.uk. The Rothschild's château-like manor house with French-style formal gardens.
• 51.865-0.9296 Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Station Rd, Quainton HP22 4BY (Free shuttle bus from Aylesbury Vale Parkway), ☏ +44 1296 655720, office@bucksrailcentre.org. Some days are "Special Events", some "Steaming Days" and some "Static Viewing Days" - check before visiting if you e.g. want steam train rides. (updated May 2017)

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.

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.

• 51.816-0.80021 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)
• 51.81458-0.81432 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)

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

• 51.81755-0.814081 Desire (Indian Restaurant), 40 Kingsbury Square, Aylesbury HP20 2JE, ☏ +44 1296 482888. Daily 6PM-11:30PM. (updated May 2017)
• 51.81845-0.813132 Peking Inn (Chinese Restaurant & Take-away), Cambridge Place, Aylesbury HP20 2LQ, ☏ +44 1296 421211. Restaurant: M-Sa 5:30PM-1010AM-4PM; Su noon-10PM. Take-away: M-Th 5-11PM; F Sa noon-2PM & 5-11:30PM; Su noon-11PM. (updated May 2017)
• 51.81655-0.813153 The Works (Restaurant), 7-9 Market Square, Aylesbury HP20 1TA, ☏ +44 1296 437289, aylesbury@eatattheworks.co.uk. M-Th 9AM-10PM; F Sa 9AM-11PM; Su 10AM-10PM. (updated May 2017)
• 51.81606-0.813984 Just Baguettes (Sandwich Shop), 8/10 Bourbon St, Aylesbury HP20 2RR, ☏ +44 1296 399555, info@justbaguettes.co.uk. (updated May 2017)
• 51.81616-0.806275 Bucks Balti House (Restaurant, Take-away & Delivery), 120 High St, Aylesbury HP20 1RB 120 High Street, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP20 1RB, ☏ +44 1296 337900. Daily 5:30-11PM. (updated May 2017)

Kings Head

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

• 51.81721-0.812481 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)
• 51.81675-0.814412 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

• 51.81681-0.814595 Temple Street Wine Bar, 7 Temple St, Aylesbury HP20 2RN, ☏ +44 1296 337228, info@templestreetwinebar.co.uk. M-Sa noon-2:30PM (last food orders 2PM) & from 5PM. (updated May 2017)

Hartwell House

• 51.82767-0.814881 Premier Inn, Buckingham Rd, Aylesbury HP19 9QL, ☏ +44 871 527 8036 (premium). Free on-site parking. Free Wi-Fi. From £41. (updated May 2017)

• 51.8092-0.7692 Holiday Inn, New Road, Weston Turville HP22 5QT (2½ miles ESE of Aylesbury), ☏ +44 871 942 9002 (premium). Check-in: From 2PM. Free Wi-Fi. Indoor swimming pool (updated May 2017)

• 51.83105-0.813933 Best Western Garden Court, Buckingham Rd, Aylesbury HP19 0FY, ☏ +44 844 387 6252 (premium). Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. Free Wi-Fi. Free on-site parking. No pets. (updated May 2017)

• 51.8117-0.79244 House Forty One (B&B), 41 King Edward Avenue, Aylesbury HP21 7JE, ☏ +44 1296 483153, info@housefortyone.co.uk. From £85 (double), £65 (single occupancy). (updated May 2017)

• 51.805-0.8465 Hartwell House, Oxford Road, Stone HP17 8NR, ☏ +44 1296 747444. Grand historic hotel owned by National Trust, it's Jacobean with Georgian facade. No children under 6. B&B double £350. (updated Jul 2020)

• Town centre has many small B&Bs.

• Lots of self-catering is available for short or long stays.

• 51.845-0.9256 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)

• 51.819-1.057 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)

• 51.81738-0.811431 Post Office, 25 - 29 High St, Aylesbury HP20 1SH. M-Sa 9AM-5:30; Su 10AM-4PM. (updated May 2017)

• 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.

This city travel guide to Aylesbury is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.