A good center from which to explore the Chilterns is Aylesbury (pop. 51,900), county town of Buckinghamshire, with a large Market Square and attractive old half timbered houses. St Mary's Church (13th C.) has an unusual spire and a fine Lady Chapel and misericords.
Aylesbury is a commuter town for many who work in London. The population has doubled since the 1960's, which has brought about an active nightlife in the town centre.
Boarstall Duck Decoy is a National Trust property located in Brill. The 18th century duck decoy is in working order and is set in natural woodland. This location is also a nature reserve with a variety of birds, wildlife and rare trees.
Clouds over a windmill in Brill.
Address: Boarstall Duck Decoy, Boarstall, Aylesbury HP18 9UX, England
Hours:
April 5 to August 25: 10am-4pm; Wed:3:30pm-6pm; Closed: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri
Always opened on: Spring Bank Holiday - Britain (last Monday, May ), Summer Bank Holiday - Britain outside Scotland (last Monday, August )
Tips: Parties of six or more can book ahead at reduced rates.
Dogs allowed in car park only.
Disability Access: Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
Buckinghamshire County Museum has fine collections that portray the local culture and history of Aylesbury. In permanent displays and temporary exhibitions the town's history, which dates back to 571, is revealed. The collections include paintings, drawings, ceramics, textiles that may be featured in varied temporary exhibitions and a permanent display that captures the development of the town.
Address: Buckinghamshire County Museum Service, Church Street, Aylesbury HP20 2QP, England
Hours:
March 1 to November 3: 10am-5pm; Closed: Sun
November 4 to February 12: 10am-4pm; Closed: Sun, Sun
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Quainton Road railway station was built as the furthest outpost of the Metropolitan Line and on the first purpose built (Great Central Railway) Channel Tunnel rail link about 130 years ago. The 35 acre railway centre features a passenger carrying miniature railway as well as a 25,000 sq. ft museum to visit.
Address: Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton Road Station, Aylesbury HP22 4BY, England
Hours:
March 1 to October 31: 10:30am-4:30pm; Sun:10:30am-5:30pm; Sat:10:30am-5:30pm
Tips: Family admission (2 adults, up to 4 children).
Claydon House (8mi/13km northwest of Aylesbury), seat of the Verney family, dates from the 16th century. Enlarged between 1752 and 1768, some of its rooms boast sumptuous Rococco and New Gothic stucco work. The Chinese Room in particular is worth seeing.
The house also has a Florence Nightingale museum.
Address: Claydon House, Middle Claydon, Aylesbury MK18 2EY, England
Hours:
March 15 to November 2: 1pm-5pm; Closed: Thu, Fri
Always opened on: Spring Bank Holiday - Britain (last Monday, May ), Summer Bank Holiday - Britain outside Scotland (last Monday, August )
Always closed on: Good Friday - Christian
Parking: Free
Disability Access: Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
This National Trust property in Aylesbury dates back to 1450. The King's Head is an old coaching inn which features a large window with fragments of 15th-century glass. The property is currently open as a restaurant and used for functions and special events by the tenant, the King's Head Christian Trust.
Address: King's Head, The Market Square, Aylesbury HP20 1TA, England
Hours:
January 1 to December 31: 9am-5pm; Closed: Sun
Always closed on: Christmas - Christian (December 25), Good Friday - Christian
Tips: Also open Friday and Saturday nights from 6 - 10 pm.
Disability Access: Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
Waddesdon Manor, 6mi/10km northwest of Aylesbury, was built in 1880-89 for Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild. The house contains a magnificent collection of French furniture, 18th century Gobelin tapestries, Sèvres porcelain and superb paintings, including works by Rubens, Reynolds and Gainsborough. There are also fine manuscripts and a library. The gardens are considered a masterpiece in their own right.
Beautiful gardens in front of the Waddesdon Manor in Aylesbury.
Sunny day at the Waddesdon Manor in Aylesbury.
Address: Waddesdon Manor, Aylesbury HP18 0JH, England
Hours:
March 23 to December 23: 10am-5pm; Closed: Mon, Tue
Always opened on: Spring Bank Holiday - Britain (last Monday, May ), Summer Bank Holiday - Britain outside Scotland (last Monday, August )
Tips: Last admission one hour before closing.
Entry by timed tickets available from 10 am.
Parking: Free
Disability Access: Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
Guides: Interpretive sessions sometimes available.
Facilities: Gift shop, Restaurant or food service
Transit: Bus: Arriva The Shires 16/17 from Aylesbury.
This National Trust property east of Wing was bought by the de Rothschild family in 1876. It houses a collection of paintings, Oriental porcelain, furniture, and an extensive garden.
Address: Ascott, Leighton Buzzard, Wing LU7 0PS, England
Hours:
March 15 to April 30: 2pm-6pm; Closed: Mon
May 3 to July 28: 2pm-6pm; Closed: Mon, Sun, Mon, Fri, Sat
August 2 to September 30: 2pm-6pm; Closed: Mon, Sun, Mon, Fri, Sat, Mon
Always opened on: Good Friday - Christian
Always closed on: Spring Bank Holiday - Britain (last Monday, May )
Tips: Garden only: 7 May-30 July every Wed and last Sun in each month. Last admission 5 p.m.
Dogs allowed in car park only.
Disability Access: Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
Facilities: Wheelchair loan or rental
Transit: Bus: Arriva The Shires X15, 65 Aylesbury-Milton Keynes.
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Waddesdon Manor, Aylesbury
Waddesdon Manor, Aylesbury
Brill - Boarstall Duck Decoy, Aylesbury
Aylesbury
