Aylesbury

United_Kingdom

Aylesbury is the county town of Buckinghamshire. Not to be confused with Aylesford in Kent, a small village with famous its Catholic priory.

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.

Waddesdon Manor John Hampden Statue

  • Aylesbury Vale, beautiful winding hills around the town
  • John Hampden statue, Market Square, Aylesbury (Opposite statue of Benjamin Disraeli (8m away). Local lad turned great Parliamentarian leader during the English Civil War.
  • Buckinghamshire County Museum, Church St, Aylesbury, HP20 2QP, +44 1296 331441.
  • Market Square
  • 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.
  • St Tiggywinkles, Aston Road, Haddenham, HP17 8AF, +44 1844 292292. Daily 10AM-4PM. Animal welfare hospital for wild animals. Adult £5.10; Children (4-17) £3.20; Under 4's & over 65's free.
  • Waddesdon Manor, Waddesdon, near Aylesbury, HP18 0JH (6 miles west of Aylesbury, +44 1296 653226. The Rothschild's château-like manor house with French-style formal gardens.
  • Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Station Rd, Quainton HP22 4BY (Free shuttle bus from Aylesbury Vale Parkway, +44 1296 655720. Some days are "Special Events", some "Steaming Days" and some "Static Viewing Days" - check before visiting if you e.g. want steam train rides.

John Hampden statue, Market Square, Aylesbury (Opposite statue of Benjamin Disraeli (8m away). Local lad turned great Parliamentarian leader during the English Civil War.

Buckinghamshire County Museum, Church St, Aylesbury, HP20 2QP, +44 1296 331441.

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.

St Tiggywinkles, Aston Road, Haddenham, HP17 8AF, +44 1844 292292. Daily 10AM-4PM. Animal welfare hospital for wild animals. Adult £5.10; Children (4-17) £3.20; Under 4's & over 65's free.

Waddesdon Manor, Waddesdon, near Aylesbury, HP18 0JH (6 miles west of Aylesbury, +44 1296 653226. The Rothschild's château-like manor house with French-style formal gardens.

Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Station Rd, Quainton HP22 4BY (Free shuttle bus from Aylesbury Vale Parkway, +44 1296 655720. Some days are "Special Events", some "Steaming Days" and some "Static Viewing Days" - check before visiting if you e.g. want steam train rides.

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.

  • Aylesbury Canal Society, Circus Field Basin, Stocklake, Aylesbury HP20 1AP. Apr-Oct. Also provides visitor moorings, slipway, wet dock. Per day: M-Th £100, F £110, Sa Su Bank Hols £120.

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

  • Friars' Club. Famous venue for music, bands like The Clash and Jimmy Hendrix. Also appeared in A Clockwork Orange.

Aylesbury Canal Society, Circus Field Basin, Stocklake, Aylesbury HP20 1AP. Apr-Oct. Also provides visitor moorings, slipway, wet dock. Per day: M-Th £100, F £110, Sa Su Bank Hols £120.

Friars' Club. Famous venue for music, bands like The Clash and Jimmy Hendrix. Also appeared in A Clockwork Orange.

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.

  • Tesco, 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)
  • Morrissons, Station Way West, Aylesbury HP20 2HX, +44 1296 392055. M-Sa 7AM-10PM; Su 10AM-4PM. Cafe & pharmacy (different hours). ATMs

Tesco, 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)

Morrissons, Station Way West, Aylesbury HP20 2HX, +44 1296 392055. M-Sa 7AM-10PM; Su 10AM-4PM. Cafe & pharmacy (different hours). ATMs

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

  • Desire, 40 Kingsbury Square, Aylesbury HP20 2JE, +44 1296 482888. Daily 6PM-11:30PM.
  • Peking Inn, 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.
  • The Works, 7-9 Market Square, Aylesbury HP20 1TA, +44 1296 437289. M-Th 9AM-10PM; F Sa 9AM-11PM; Su 10AM-10PM.
  • Just Baguettes, 8/10 Bourbon St, Aylesbury HP20 2RR, +44 1296 399555.
  • Bucks Balti House, 120 High St, Aylesbury HP20 1RB 120 High Street, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP20 1RB, +44 1296 337900. Daily 5:30-11PM.

Desire, 40 Kingsbury Square, Aylesbury HP20 2JE, +44 1296 482888. Daily 6PM-11:30PM.

Peking Inn, 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.

The Works, 7-9 Market Square, Aylesbury HP20 1TA, +44 1296 437289. M-Th 9AM-10PM; F Sa 9AM-11PM; Su 10AM-10PM.

Just Baguettes, 8/10 Bourbon St, Aylesbury HP20 2RR, +44 1296 399555.

Bucks Balti House, 120 High St, Aylesbury HP20 1RB 120 High Street, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP20 1RB, +44 1296 337900. Daily 5:30-11PM.

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

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

  • The Hop Pole, 83 Bicester Rd, Aylesbury HP19 9AZ, +44 1296 482129. M 4PM-10PM; Tu-Th noon-2:30PM, 4:30PM-11PM; F Sa noon-midnight; Su noon-10:30PM.
  • The Kings Head, Market Square, Aylesbury HP20 2RW (at the Kings Head, +44 1296 718812. Pub: M-Sa 11AM-11PM; Su noon-10:30PM. Food: M & Tu 11:30AM-3PM; W & Th 11:30AM-3PM & 5PM-9PM; F & Sa 11:30AM-9PM; Su 12:00-6PM.
  • The Bell, London Rd, Aston Clinton HP22 5HP (4 miles ESE of Aylesbury, +44 1296 632777. Pub: M-Sa 8AM-11PM; Su 8AM-10:30PM. Food: M-Sa 8AM-10PM; Su 8AM-9:30PM.
  • Temple Street Wine Bar, 7 Temple St, Aylesbury HP20 2RN, +44 1296 337228. M-Sa noon-2:30PM (last food orders 2PM) & from 5PM.

The Hop Pole, 83 Bicester Rd, Aylesbury HP19 9AZ, +44 1296 482129. M 4PM-10PM; Tu-Th noon-2:30PM, 4:30PM-11PM; F Sa noon-midnight; Su noon-10:30PM.

The Kings Head, Market Square, Aylesbury HP20 2RW (at the Kings Head, +44 1296 718812. Pub: M-Sa 11AM-11PM; Su noon-10:30PM. Food: M & Tu 11:30AM-3PM; W & Th 11:30AM-3PM & 5PM-9PM; F & Sa 11:30AM-9PM; Su 12:00-6PM.

The Bell, London Rd, Aston Clinton HP22 5HP (4 miles ESE of Aylesbury, +44 1296 632777. Pub: M-Sa 8AM-11PM; Su 8AM-10:30PM. Food: M-Sa 8AM-10PM; Su 8AM-9:30PM.

Temple Street Wine Bar, 7 Temple St, Aylesbury HP20 2RN, +44 1296 337228. M-Sa noon-2:30PM (last food orders 2PM) & from 5PM.

  • Post Office, 25 - 29 High St, Aylesbury HP20 1SH. M-Sa 9AM-5:30; Su 10AM-4PM.

Post Office, 25 - 29 High St, Aylesbury HP20 1SH. M-Sa 9AM-5:30; Su 10AM-4PM.