Buckingham UK
The Green Heart of England
A lovely market town to visit, shop and walk around
Things to do around Buckingham UK
Things to do around Buckingham UK
Buckingham’s central location makes it an ideal base for a touring holiday or somewhere to stop en-route to other major tourist places. It is ideally located for easy access of a number of nearby market towns and, for the dedicated shopaholic and theatre-goer, is less than half an hour from Milton Keynes.
The following are just a selection of the many major attractions that can be easily reached from Buckingham UK by road (drive times approximate). Further details on specific attractions can be obtained from the Tourist Information Centre (Tel (01280) 823020).
Within a five minute drive
Stowe Landscape Gardens…Discover the Unexpected
Explore more than 40 monuments, temples and secret corners, ornamental lakes, wooded valleys and spectacular views; Miles of walks and trails through the gardens and surrounding parkland
One of the finest Georgian landscape gardens extending over 400 acres, with valleys and vistas, lakes and rivers and more than 30 temples and monuments designed by many of the leading architects of the 18th century. The newly restored 250-acre Deer Park has recently opened and restoration continues in other areas of the Park and gardens. The one and a half mile avenue leading from the Buckingham entrance to the triumphal Corinthian arch gives just a taste of the many treasures to be explored. The Trust's excellent guide will help to explain the symbolism and allegorical nature of many of the landscape's features and the monuments.
While you are visiting us you can also enjoy the comforts of the National Trust Tea-room and shop. There are events held throughout the year for all ages.
The magic of the gardens provide the perfect setting for the Monuments and Temples that compliment the landscape to create a truly unforgettable experience at Stowe Landscape Gardens. Click here to go to their website. Follow the gardens on Twitter @StoweGardens or add us on Facebook by searching ‘National Trust Stowe’.
Within a fifteen minute drive
Motoring at Silverstone - A full range of driving courses including rough terrain, track open days, and indoor and outdoor karting for ages 8+ are available throughout the year.
Brackley Antique Cellar – the largest purpose-built antique centre in the Midlands containing over 80 antique dealers specialising in ceramics, porcelain, clocks, glass, jewellery, rugs, militaria, Victoriana, kitchenalia and furniture.
Bletchley Park – home of the Enigma code breakers, who played such a significant part in winning World War II.
Museum of Industry and Rural Life – located at Wolverton and set among farm buildings, the museum has collections ranging from farm carts to a fire engine and from tractors to a tram. A Victorian kitchen is housed in a former laundry and, besides the many displays, there are demonstrations of rural crafts during special open weekends.
Within a twenty minute drive
Claydon House (NT) – Steeped in history, Claydon House is one of England’s most extraordinary houses displaying some remarkable 18th-century rococo and chinoiserie decoration. It is a fascinating showcase of stunning craftsmanship including a spectacular Grand Staircase of elaborate mahogany parquetry inlaid with box, ivory and ebony. Claydon has been the seat of the Verney family since 1620 including Sir Edmund Verney, the brave ‘Standard Bearer’ to Charles I whose travails during the Civil War have been well chronicled. The house also has many letters and mementoes of their relation Florence Nightingale, who was a regular visitor. Claydon House was given to the National Trust in 1956, but the 6th baronet Sir Edmund Verney and his family still live in the east wing and farm the surrounding estate.
You can stroll through parkland and around the lake, with unspoilt views across the surrounding countryside and take in the Gardens, a renewed example of a Victorian country house walled garden, both decorative and productive with a two acre kitchen garden. There is a Restaurant and a Tea-Room, as well a variety of art and craft outlets. Click here to go to their website.
The Canal Museum – Britain’s waterways heritage housed in a restored corn mill on a living canal in the picturesque village of Stoke Bruerne.
Within a half-hour drive
Oxford – the city of dreaming spires and ancient colleges.
Waddesdon Manor – the Rothschild mansion with an exquisite collection of priceless works of art and furniture.
Sulgrave Manor – The Northamptonshire home of George Washington’s ancestors is a splendid example of a modest manor house at the time of Shakespeare. Its many attractive features include the kitchen garden and rose garden with its 16th century sundial.
