Aylesbury

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.

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 bicycle

 * The National Byway cycle route passes 5 miles to the NW of the town.
 * 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.
 * 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

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
 * Market Square
 * Market Square
 * Market Square

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.

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

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.

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

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



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



Sleep



 * Town centre has many small B&Bs.
 * Lots of self-catering is available for short or long stays.

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.