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Buckinghamshire Castles, Cathedrals,
Monuments,
Stately Homes & Palaces
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Since the stone age, man has been
creating majestic structures that we still marvel at
today.
Whether you are interested in ancient monuments,
battlefield sites, re-enactments,
Roman and Norman forts and castles, Stately Homes, Country Houses, Historic
Cathedrals, Ruined Abbeys etc, this is the page that
should give you the information you need.
Here we try to list properties in
private ownership but open to the public (even if only
occasionally) as well as those in the care of the
National Trust or English/Scottish Heritage.
We know that not all the
properties in Buckinghamshire are listed. Please help us
make this guide comprehensive by giving details of
missing attractions
here.
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Boarstall Tower
Boarstall, nr Aylesbury, HP18 9UX
Tel: 01844 239339
E-mail:
boarstalltower@nationaltrust.org.uk
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14th-century moated
gatehouse and gardens. The superb gatehouse is
what remains of Boarstall House (demolished
1778).
It was built by John de Haudlo in 1312, both
as defence for his house and as an expression
of his status.
Although updated in 1615 for use as a
banqueting pavilion or hunting lodge, and to
reflect the latest taste, it retained its
medieval belfry, crossloops and crenulations. |
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Boarstall Tower - Photo:
Colin Bates
CCL |
The exterior and many
rooms remain virtually unchanged from that time.
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King’s Head
King’s Head Passage, Market Square, Aylesbury,
HP20 2RW
Tel: 01296 381501 Fax: 01296
381502
E-mail:
kingshead@nationaltrust.org.uk
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Kings Head hotel -
Photo:
Stanley Howe
CCL |
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Ancient coaching inn.
This restored and still operating inn dates from
1455 and is of particular interest for its
architectural features from many eras, including
a large stained glass window, cobbled courtyard
and timber framing. |
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Pitstone Windmill
Ivinghoe, Buckinghamshire
Tel: 01442 851227
E-mail:
pitstonemill@nationaltrust.org.uk
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Example of the earliest
form of windmill.
One of the oldest postmills in Britain, dating
from 1627 and restored entirely by
volunteers..
Group organisers contact David Goseltine,
Holland Cottage, Whipsnade, Dunstable, Beds
LU6 2LG (tel. 01582 872303). |
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Pitstone Windmill - Photo:
Rob Farrow
CCL |
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The Buckingham Heritage
Trust
c/o Old Gaol Museum, Market Hill, Buckingham,
MK18 1JX
Tel: 01280 823020
Web:
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
The Norman (11th century) doorway leads into the
chapel rebuilt in the 15th century. During the
reign of Henry VI it became the Royal Latin
School and was later restored by Gilbert Scott
in 1875. Now leased by Buckingham Heritage
Trust.
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Bradwell Windmill
Access from Nightingale Crescent, off Grafton
Street/City Road V6 (via Wheelers Lane - South
of Canal Aqueduct over V6). No access from Mill
Lane.
Tel: 01908 315428
Web:
www.mkweb.co.uk
A limestone tower mill built around 1815,
Bradwell Windmill is one of only a few remaining
mills in this country with an open fireplace. It
also has early examples of the use of a
universal joint. Partially restored by Milton
Keynes Development Corporation, now owned by
Milton Keynes Council, and run by Friends of
Bradwell Windmill.
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Brill Windmill
The Old Forge, Windmill Street, Brill, Bucks
HP18 9TG
Tel: 01844 237982
Brill Windmill is a fine example of a postmill,
dating from the 1680's. It is not in working
condition, but much of the machinery is intact,
and can be viewed from two floors within the
mill. The mill stands amidst the abandoned clay
diggings of Brill Common, commanding a superb
view of the Vale of Oxford and the Cotswolds
beyond. The mill is owned by Bucks County
Council and opened by volunteers of The Brill
Society.
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Lacey Green Windmill
Lacey Green is 2 miles south of Princes
Risborough
Tel: 01844 275871
E-mail:
laceygreenmill@btinternet.com
Web:
www.laceygreenwindmill.org.uk
Lacey Green is 2 miles south of Princes
Risborough. The mill is at the north end of the
village. Please park in Pink Road, and walk up
the path to the right of The Whip pub to the
windmill. Known as a Smock Mill
because the shape is said to resemble a man
wearing a smock, this king amongst windmills is
the oldest of its kind. Built around 1650, it
stands on the top of the Chiltern escarpment where
it catches the force of the prevailing
south-westerly winds. The mill worked until 1915
still using the massive 17th century wooden
machinery which it retains today. The windmill
came very close to collapsing, but has now
been restored by members of The Chiltern Society.
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Quainton Windmill
Please contact Mr. G. Rodwell for more
information
Tel: 01296 655348
Web:
www.quainton.info
This tower mill is the tallest in
Buckinghamshire, being 65ft to the top of the
brickwork and another 8ft to the top of the
Dome. The latter is a very early example of
galvanised wrought ironwork. Construction of the
mill started in 1830, by William Cooper,
Millwrights of Aylesbury, whose accounts are
deposited in the County Record Office. The
bricks were dug and baked in a field adjoining
during the years 1830-32, as shown by incised
bricks. A steam engine was installed early in
its life but was removed for scrap during the
first World War. The mill was in use until
around 1890. The Quainton Windmill Society was
formed in 1974 with the objective of restoring
the mill to working order. This was achieved in
1997, but unfortunately the new sails, some of
which had been in the open for ten years, now
began to deteriorate and themselves need
restoring. The mill is still owned by a
descendant of the original owner, James Anstiss.
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Buckingham Chantry Chapel
Market Hill, Buckingham
Tel: 01280 822850
E-mail:
buckinghamchantry@nationaltrust.org.uk
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15th-century chapel.
The oldest building in Buckingham and
incorporating a fine Norman doorway, the
chapel was later used as a school.
It was restored by Sir George Gilbert Scott in
1875 |
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Buckingham parish church -
Photo:
mym
CCL |
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The Churches Conservation
Trust
E-mail:
central@tcct.org.uk
Web:
www.visitchurches.org.uk
Organisation dedicated to the preservation of
England's Churches. Here you will find a handy
search facility to locate Churches in the area
you plan to visit.
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Buckinghamshire Historic
Churches Trust
Townhill Farm, Chilton, Aylesbury,
Buckinghamshire HP18 9NA
Tel: 01844 265201
E-mail:
haubreyf@tiscali.co.uk
Contact: Sir Henry Aubrey Fletcher Bt DL,
for further information.
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WADDESDON MANOR
Waddesdon, Nr. Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire,
HP18 0JH
24 hour recorded information: 01296
653211
Booking office and information: 01296
653226
E-mail:
waddesdonmanor@nationaltrust.org.uk
Web site:
www.waddesdon.org.uk
This National Trust
property is a magnificent French
Renaissance-style château housing the Rothschild
Collection of art treasures including Sèvres
porcelain and works by Gainsborough and
Reynolds.
It has one of the finest
Victorian gardens in Britain featuring a parterre,
seasonal displays, statuary, walks, views and a
woodland playground.
There is a fully-stocked Rococo-style aviary,
gift and wine shops and two licensed
restaurants. On the A41 between Aylesbury and
Bicester and conveniently situated for Oxford,
Milton Keynes and London.
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Claydon House
Middle Claydon, Nr. Buckingham, MK18 2EY
Tel: 01296 730349 / 01494 755561
(Infoline) Fax: 01296 738511
E-mail:
claydon@nationaltrust.org.uk
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House famous for its
18th-century rococo interiors.
The extraordinary architecture of Claydon
House includes extravagant rococo and
chinoiserie decoration.
Features of the house include the unique
Chinese Room and parquetry Grand Stairs.
In continuous occupation by the Verney family
for over 380 years, the house has mementoes of
their relation Florence Nightingale, who was a
regular visitor. |
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Claydon House -
Photo:
mym
CCL |
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Dorneywood Garden
Dorneywood, Burnham, SL1 8PY
Tel: 01628 665361
E-mail:
dorneywood@nationaltrust.org.uk
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Rose Garden -
Photo:
Colin Smith
CCL |
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1930s style garden.
The house was given to the National Trust as an
official residence for either a Secretary of
State or Minister of the Crown.
Only the garden is open, with herbaceous
borders, a rose garden, cottage and kitchen
gardens. |
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Hughenden Manor
High Wycombe, Bucks, HP14 4LA
Tel: 01494 755573 Fax:
01494 474284 Info Line:
01494 755565
E-mail:
hughenden@nationaltrust.org.uk
Web:
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
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Home of the Victorian
statesman Benjamin Disraeli.
Queen Victoria’s trusted prime minister
Benjamin Disraeli lived here from 1848 until
his death in 1881.
Most of his furniture, books and pictures
remain in this, his private retreat from the
rigours of parliamentary life in London. |
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Hughenden Manor -
Photo:
Christine Matthews
CCL |
There are beautiful walks through the
surrounding park and woodland, and the garden is
a recreation of the colourful design of
Disraeli’s wife, Mary Anne.
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Long Crendon Courthouse
Long Crendon, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP18 9AN
Tel: 01494 528051 Fax:
01494 463310
E-mail:
longcrendon@nationaltrust.org.uk
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Long Crendon Courthouse -
Photo:
David Hawgood
CCL |
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Early 15th-century two-storied building.
Set in an attractive and unspoilt village, this
building with its timbered, whitewashed and
tiled façade was probably first used as a wool
store.
It is a fine example of early timber frame
construction.
Manorial courts were held here from the reign of
Henry V until Victorian times. |
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Stowe Landscape Gardens
Buckingham, Bucks, MK18 5EH
Tel: 01280 822850 Fax:
01280 822437 Box
Office: 01494 755572
E-mail:
stowegarden@nationaltrust.org.uk
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Europe’s most influential
landscape gardens. The scale, grandeur and
beauty of Stowe have inspired writers,
thinkers, artists, politicians and members of
the public from the 18th century to the
present day.
100ha (250 acres) of landscape gardens feature
lakes, pasture, wooded valleys and open
spaces, adorned with over 30 temples and
monuments. |
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The Gothic Temple Stowe Park -
Photo:
Amanda Lewis
CCL |
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Stowe House -
Photo:
Chris Coleman
CCL |
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At the centre lies Stowe House, a great ducal
palace and now home to Stowe School, which is
opened to the public by Stowe House Preservation
Trust.
There is free public access to 300ha (750 acres)
of parkland surrounding the gardens and house,
which are currently being magnificently restored
to their former glory. |
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West Wycombe Park
West Wycombe, Bucks, HP14 3AJ
Tel: 01494 513569
E-mail:
westwycombe@nationaltrust.org.uk
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Perfectly preserved rococo
landscape garden, surrounding a neo-classical
mansion.
The garden was created in the mid-18th century
by Sir Francis Dashwood, founder of the
Dilettanti Society and the Hellfire Club.
The house is among the most theatrical and
Italianate in England, its façades formed as
classical temples.
The interior has Palmyrene ceilings and
decoration, with pictures, furniture and
sculpture dating from the time of Sir Francis. |
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West Wycombe Park -
Photo:
Jurek and Trish Sienkiewicz CCL |
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Princes Risborough Manor
House
Princes Risborough, Bucks, HP17 9AW
Tel: 01494 528051 Fax:
01494 463310
Elegant late 17th-century house. This red-brick
house with Jacobean staircase and many original
features was once owned by Sir Peter Lely, court
painter to Charles II.
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Chenies Manor House
Chenies, Bucks
Tel: 01494 762888
Built in 1460 by Sir John Cheyne and added to in
1526 by Sir John Russell (Earl of Bedford), the
Manor is now the Macleod Matthews family home.
Both Henry VIII and Elizabeth I were entertained
at the house, which includes a medieval well,
dungeon and reputed priest hole. Its beautiful
gardens include an extensive Physic Garden and
two mazes. The visit offers guided tours and
home-made teas.
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John Milton's Cottage
Chalfont St. Giles, Buckinghamshire, HP8 4JH
Tel: 01494 872313
E-mail:
info@miltonscottage.org
Web:
www.miltonscottage.org
This picturesque late XVIth Century Grade I
listed Cottage, set in an attractive garden, is
the only surviving building in which the famous
writer and parliamentarian lived. It was bought
by public subscription in 1887 to celebrate
Queen Victoria's Jubilee and to preserve it for
visitors. Milton came to this cottage in 1665 to
escape the Plague and it was here that he
completed Paradise Lost and started Paradise
Regained. The museum contains many exhibits of
his work, life and times.
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