Buckinghamshire villages are some of the finest examples of villages in England. Here are just some of the loveliest, all within a short drive from London.
England is a small country with a huge history. The English countryside is beautiful and has long provided the public with various means of recreation, both active and passive. It is no wonder that it forms an important part of English culture.
Many people visit the UK to enjoy the ‘English’ way of life, including walking through idyllic English villages. The English countryside is home to many charming villages. These villages often have thatched roofs, stone walls and winding streets. They date back centuries and are steeped in history. Many of them boast beautiful churches, pubs and post offices.
Villages in England often have a strong sense of community spirit. The locals are usually friendly and welcoming to visitors. They take great pride in their village and like to keep it tidy and well-maintained. There is usually a village shop, which stocks basic provisions, and sometimes even a village post office.
Buckinghamshire to the North West of London has several great examples. Here are just a few of the prettiest Buckinghamshire villages (and some market towns):
1. Aston Clinton
This small village is only two miles away from the more popular tourist location of Tring, and has a population of about 1,000. The town became an official royal village in the 1970s after the Queen visited it due to its proximity to Stonyhurst College – her school when she was growing up. In 2001, Aston Clinton became part of the town of Aylesbury.
The village also has its own castle, which is well-preserved and open to the public.People live harvests apples, pears, plums and cherries from the orchards around the village. There is peace and quite, apart from the occasional sound of a train going by on the nearby railway.
2. Iver Heath
This small village in South Bucks is home to about 5,000 people, and it contains a number of historic buildings such as manor houses and churches. Iver Heath now forms part of Slough due to its connections with the town.
Iver is also known for its annual pantomime, which is put on at the Iver Heath Village Hall.
Religious groups such as the Salvation Army and Scouts were established in this village, and it is still home to a number of religious buildings such as churches.
3. Beaconsfield
This market town is situated in both South Bucks and the county of Buckinghamshire, and it has about 17,000 inhabitants. It is best known for its connections with former British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli. The new town of Beaconsfield was named after him in 1890.
Currently, the village is well known for its many antique shops. These shops are situated in the High Street and along the village’s narrow lanes. The shops mostly sell English and European antiques.
These antiques are mostly imported from Europe and the Far East.
4. Farnham Royal
This village is located in the Slough borough of Buckinghamshire and has a population of about 4,000 people. The village is most famous for being the home of the Wernher family- one of Europe’s wealthiest families.
The family built Farnham Royal Palace in 1708, and it was later converted to a seminary and boarding school.
5. Gerrards Cross
The village of Gerrards Cross is also located in South Bucks, and has about 8,000 inhabitants. Many famous people live there such as the actress Thandie Newton, singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor, journalist Martin Bashir, BBC news presenter Matt Baker, and the TV personality Chris Tarrant.
The village is positioned between the towns of Beaconsfield and Uxbridge.
6. Stokenchurch
This small town in South Bucks has about 2,500 inhabitants. It derives its name from an old English word meaning “stony river”.
7. Wendover
This small town is located in Buckinghamshire just below the Chiltern Hills, and it has a population of about 3,000 people. It is also famous for being the birthplace of Thomas Dibdin who was an 18th century dramatist.
Wendover has existed since Saxon times and it was first mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086.
8. Chesham
This market town is located in the Chiltern district of Buckinghamshire, and it has a population of about 25,000 people. It is home to a number of notable buildings such as the Grade I listed Chesham Bois Manor which is one of the finest houses in Buckinghamshire.
Chesham was also used as a location for some scenes of the Harry Potter films, and it has been twinned with the German town of Lautertal ( Schwalmtal) since 1979.
9. Amersham
This market town has existed since Saxon times and was first mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. It has a population of about 30,000 people, and it is located at the foot of the Chiltern Hills.
Amersham is notable for its connections with Sir Edward Elgar who was born in Lower Broadheath. The town also has close links to author Roald Dahl who spent his childhood there, and it is the home of the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre.
10. Aston Abbotts
This village is located in the Aylesbury Vale district of Buckinghamshire and it has a population of about 900 people. The village is most famous for being the home of the Rothschild family who were once one of the wealthiest families in Europe.
11. Chalfont St Giles
This village is located in the Chiltern district of Buckinghamshire and it has a population of about 5,000 p