Buckinghamshire (often called ‘leafy Bucks’ by locals) is one of England’s prettiest counties, a small home county situated on the River Thames. Not far from London, this is popular as a place to live for rich commuters, who prefer a village pond lifestyle, to city flats!
The River Thames flows downstream from Oxfordshire, to pass through the towns of Marlow (a lovely Georgian town with historic streets and a suspension bridge linking Berkshire), Bourne End and Dorney.
The largest town of Buckingham is joined by the new town of Milton Keynes. Despite being described as a ‘town that your mum could have built’, it has over 22 million trees, more bridges than Venice, shoreline lake walks and 5000 acres of public parks.
The many chocolate box villages include Haddenham (home to the world’s busiest wildlife hospital, more on that below). And Denham (pretty parks, walks on Grand Union Canal and indie shops means this village is home to many celebrities). Previous residents have been Sir John Mills, Sir Roger Moore, Cilla Black and Paul Daniels.
Although the outdoor and railway scenes for the iconic film Brief Encounter were filmed in the Cumbrian town of Carnforth, the studio scenes were filmed at Denham Film Studios (long gone, to be replaced by luxury homes).
Sitting on the River Thames
The 215-mile River Thames is often thought of as a ‘London river’. But in fact, England’s second-longest river (after the Severn which stretches 220 miles from Wales to just outside Bristol), actually begins in the Cotswolds and flows through Oxford out to the North Sea.
The Thames used to be so polluted, that Parliament would have to regularly close down due to the stench. Today it’s much cleaner. Life on the Thames is an illustrated journey along a river that sustains a staggering number of birds, mammals and other creatures.
The Rolling Chalky Chiltern Hills
The Chilterns (one of England’s Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty) covers 660 square miles in Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Oxfordshire and Hertfordshire. Home to ancient woodland and charming villages, these enchanting landscapes make for ideal walking.
Always follow the Countryside Code, to keep dogs and barnyard friends safe.
The HS2 high-speed train project passes through a lot of Buckinghamshire, and already lots of local flora and fauna has been decimated. When built, it’s estimated to also kill around 22,000 wild creatures yearly, based on estimates of similar projects abroad. Barn Owl Trust says that HS2 is a ‘very expensive way of killing owls’.
A beautiful old building in Buckinghamshire is Pitsone Windmill. This is a good example of a post mill (the earliest type of European windmill, supported by a single post to revolve, when facing the wind).
High ridges and deep valleys provide panoramic views, that stretch for miles on a clear day. You’ll also find lots of native wildlife from fox and deer to red kites, their forked tails gliding effortlessly through the sky. And rare orchids and other wild flowers.
Home to The World’s Busiest Wildlife Rescue
Tiggywinkles began in the founder’s back garden, and now (in the heart of the Chilterns countryside), it runs the world’s leading wildlife hospital. Not only does it treat tens of thousands of patients each year, but it runs accredited courses for volunteers and vets, and has a popular visitor centre to educate (there is even a hedgehog museum!)
Most creatures are returned to the wild. Those not able to (like blind hedgehogs or three-legged deer) live in near-natural conditions in the grounds, where they can live the rest of their lives in safety, with regular health checks. Learn how to help your local wildlife rescue.
Stories of Stately Homes (in Buckinghamshire)
Bletchley Park is the country estate house where clever boffins broke codes during World War II to decrypt German army & air force messages. Some say their work shortened the war by years.
The Appalling Treatment of Alan Turing
Maths graduate Alan Turing likely saved millions of lives. Yet in 1952 was prosecuted for being gay, and had to accept chemical castration as an alternative to prison.
He died from a cyanide-laced apple though no-one knows whether it was suicide, murder or an accident (he used to conduct experiments in his house). In recent years, he received a public apology from Gordon Brown (when Prime Minister) and a pardon from the Queen, for the appalling treatment he received.
Site of the Controversial Profumo Affair
Another controversial stately home in Buckinghamshire is Cliveden House, the scent of the 1961 Profumo Affair at the peak of the Cold War. When it was found that an MP was having an affair with 19-year old Christine Keeler (who was also accused of having an affair with a Russian spy).
Mandy Rice-Davies (accused with having an affair with Lord Astor whose family owned Clivedon House) became famed for her remark during the trial when the defence counsel suggested she was lying. She replied ‘Well, he would say that, wouldn’t he?
A French-Style English Stately Home
Another Buckinghamshire stately home is Waddesdon Manor, built in the style of a French chateau, with stunning gardens to reflect the wealth of the Rothschild family. Now owned by the National Trust.