Aylesbury - town and civil parish in Buckinghamshire, England

Aylesbury is the county town of Buckinghamshire.

Understand

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.

Get in

By road

• 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

By rail

• Railway Station, Station Way West, Aylesbury HP20 1RU , 51.813903°, -0.815103°. Regular train from London Marylebone (MYB) to Aylesbury (AYS), via Amersham (AMR) or High Wycombe (HWY). Operated by Chiltern Railways. National Rail Enquiries provides time tables and bookings. 2017-05-26

By bicycle

• The National Byway cycle route passes 5 miles to the NW of the town.
• National Cycle Route 57. Passes 8 miles S of the town. cycle route runs Farmington, Gloucestershire near Northleach to Welwyn Garden City in Hertfordshire 2017-06-18
• Regional Cycle Route 30 and local cycle routes leave the town to the SE connecting to most other towns to the SE including Tring, Berkhamstead, Amersham, Great Missenden, etc.

On foot

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

Get around

Walking and cycling are both popular ways for exploring nearby hinterland. There has been substantial investment in a cycle route network (dead link: January 2023)

On foot

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

By bus

Local and county wide bus service operated by Arriva Bus

See

• Aylesbury Vale, beautiful winding hills around the town
• John Hampden statue, Market Square, Aylesbury (Opposite statue of Benjamin Disraeli (8m away)), 51.816667°, -0.8125°. Local lad turned great Parliamentarian leader during the English Civil War. 2017-05-26
• Buckinghamshire County Museum, Church St, Aylesbury, HP20 2QP , 51.8172°, -0.8151°, +44 1296 331441, museum@buckscountymuseum.org. 2017-05-26
• Market Square
• Roald Dahl Children's Gallery, Church St, Aylesbury HP20 2QP , 51.8173°, -0.8151°, +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, 51.7660°, -0.9216°, +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 2017-05-26
• Waddesdon Manor, Waddesdon, near Aylesbury, HP18 0JH (6 miles west of Aylesbury), 51.840801°, -0.92629°, +44 1296 653226, waddesdonmanor@nationaltrust.org.uk. 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), 51.865°, -0.929°, +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. 2017-05-27

Do

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 (Day Boat Hire), Circus Field Basin, Stocklake, Aylesbury HP20 1AP , 51.82060°, -0.78959°, secretary@aylesburycanal.org.uk. Apr-Oct. Also provides visitor moorings, slipway, wet dock. Per day: M-Th £100, F £110, Sa Su Bank Hols £120 2017-05-27

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

• Friars' Club, Exchange St, Aylesbury, HP20 1UG, 51.81474°, -0.80953°, mike@aylesburyfriars.co.uk. Famous venue for music, bands like The Clash and Jimmy Hendrix. Also appeared in A Clockwork Orange. 2017-05-26

Buy

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.

Supermarkets

• Tesco (Supermarket), Tring Rd, Aylesbury HP20 1PQ , 51.8160°, -0.8002°, +44 345 677 9013. M 6AM-midnight; Tu-Sa 24 hr; Su 10AM-4PM. Petrol station (different hours), ATMs, pharmacy (different hours) 2017-05-27
• Morrissons (Supermarket), Station Way West, Aylesbury HP20 2HX , 51.81458°, -0.81430°, +44 1296 392055. M-Sa 7AM-10PM; Su 10AM-4PM. Cafe & pharmacy (different hours). ATMs 2017-05-27

Eat

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

• Desire (Indian Restaurant), 40 Kingsbury Square, Aylesbury HP20 2JE , 51.81755°, -0.81408°, +44 1296 482888. Daily 6PM-11:30PM. 2017-05-27
• Peking Inn (Chinese Restaurant & Take-away), Cambridge Place, Aylesbury HP20 2LQ , 51.81845°, -0.81313°, +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. 2017-05-27
• The Works (Restaurant), 7-9 Market Square, Aylesbury HP20 1TA , 51.81655°, -0.81315°, +44 1296 437289, aylesbury@eatattheworks.co.uk. M-Th 9AM-10PM; F Sa 9AM-11PM; Su 10AM-10PM. 2017-05-27
• Just Baguettes (Sandwich Shop), 8/10 Bourbon St, Aylesbury HP20 2RR , 51.81606°, -0.81398°, +44 1296 399555, info@justbaguettes.co.uk. 2017-05-27
• Bucks Balti House (Restaurant, Take-away & Delivery), 120 High St, Aylesbury HP20 1RB 120 High Street, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP20 1RB, 51.81616°, -0.80627°, +44 1296 337900. Daily 5:30-11PM. 2017-05-27

Drink

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

• The Harrow, 4 Cambridge St, Aylesbury, HP20 1RS, 51.81721°, -0.81248°, +44 1296 336 243. M-Th Noon-11PM, F Sa Noon-1:30AM, Su Noon-9PM. 2022-12-30
• The Queens Head, 1 Temple St, Aylesbury HP20 2QA, 51.81675°, -0.81441°, +44 1296 415 484. S-Th Noon-11PM, F Sa Noon-2AM. 2022-12-30

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

• The Hop Pole (Pub), 83 Bicester Rd, Aylesbury HP19 9AZ , 51.8221°, -0.8210°, +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 (Pub & Food), Market Square, Aylesbury HP20 2RW (at the Kings Head), 51.81634°, -0.81357°, +44 1296 718812, office@kingsheadaylesbury.co.uk. 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. 2017-05-26

• Temple Street Wine Bar, 7 Temple St, Aylesbury HP20 2RN , 51.81681°, -0.81459°, +44 1296 337228, info@templestreetwinebar.co.uk. M-Sa noon-2:30PM (last food orders 2PM) & from 5PM. 2017-05-27

Out of Town

• The Bell, London Rd, Aston Clinton HP22 5HP (4 miles ESE of Aylesbury), 51.7990°, -0.7200°, +44 1296 632777, bun183369@mbplc.com. Pub: M-Sa 8AM-11PM; Su 8AM-10:30PM. Food: M-Sa 8AM-10PM; Su 8AM-9:30PM. Pub, Food & Accommodation. 2022-12-30
• The Harrow Bishopstone, The Harrow, 27 Bishopstone, Aylesbury HP17 8SF, 51.78757°, -0.83801°, +44 1296 748 478. W-Sa Noon–11PM (closed M Tu). 2022-12-30

Sleep

• Premier Inn, Buckingham Rd, Aylesbury HP19 9QL, 51.82767°, -0.81488°, +44 871 527 8036 (premium). Free on-site parking. Free Wi-Fi. From £41 2017-05-26

• Holiday Inn, New Road, Weston Turville HP22 5QT (2½ miles ESE of Aylesbury), 51.8092°, -0.7690°, +44 871 942 9002 (premium). Check-in: From 2PM, check-out: undefined. Free Wi-Fi. Indoor swimming pool 2017-05-26

• Best Western Garden Court, Buckingham Rd, Aylesbury HP19 0FY, 51.83105°, -0.81393°, +44 0844 387 6252 (premium). Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. Free Wi-Fi. Free on-site parking. No pets. 2017-05-27

• House Forty One (B&B), 41 King Edward Avenue, Aylesbury HP21 7JE, 51.8117°, -0.7924°, +44 1296 483153, info@housefortyone.co.uk. From £85 (double), £65 (single occupancy) 2017-05-27

• Hartwell House, Oxford Road, Stone HP17 8NR, 51.805°, -0.846°, +44 1296 747444. Grand historic hotel owned by National Trust, it's Jacobean with Georgian facade. No children under 6. B&B double £350 2020-07-07

• Town centre has many small B&Bs.

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

West of Aylesbury

• Five Arrows, High St, Waddesdon HP18 0JE, 51.845°, -0.925°, +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 2020-07-17
• The Pointer, 27 Church St, Brill HP18 9RT, 51.819°, -1.050°, +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 2020-07-04

Connect

• Post Office, 25 - 29 High St, Aylesbury HP20 1SH , 51.81738°, -0.81143°. M-Sa 9AM-5:30; Su 10AM-4PM. 2017-05-27

Go next

• North to Buckingham on the A413.
• North east to Leighton Buzzard on the A418.
• East to Tring on the A413 or by train or the Grand Union Canal.
• then onto Amersham
• South to Wendover on the A413 or by train.
• South to High Wycombe on the A4010.
• South West to Thame on the A418.
• North west to Bicester on the A41 and the Bicester Shopping Village.