Aylesbury

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 rail

• Railway Station

  address: Station Way West, Aylesbury HP20 1RU
  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.

By bicycle

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

• National Cycle Route 57Passes 8 miles S of the town. cycle route runs Farmington, Gloucestershire near Northleach to Welwyn Garden City in Hertfordshire

• 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.

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

• Aylesbury Vale, beautiful winding hills around the town

• John Hampden statue

  address: Market Square, Aylesbury
  Local lad turned great Parliamentarian leader during the English Civil War.

• Buckinghamshire County Museum

  phone: +44 1296 331441
  address: Church St, Aylesbury, HP20 2QP
• Market Square

• Roald Dahl Children's Gallery

  phone: +44 1296 331441
  address: Church St, Aylesbury HP20 2QP

• St Tiggywinkles

  phone: +44 1844 292292
  address: Aston Road, Haddenham, HP17 8AF
  Animal welfare hospital for wild animals.

• Waddesdon Manor

  phone: +44 1296 653226
  address: Waddesdon, near Aylesbury, HP18 0JH
  The Rothschild's château-like manor house with French-style formal gardens.

• Buckinghamshire Railway Centre

  phone: +44 1296 655720
  address: Station Rd, Quainton HP22 4BY
  Some days are "Special Events", some "Steaming Days" and some "Static Viewing Days" - check before visiting if you e.g. want steam train rides.

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

  address: Circus Field Basin, Stocklake, Aylesbury HP20 1AP
  Also provides visitor moorings, slipway, wet dock.

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

• Friars' ClubFamous venue for music, bands like The Clash and Jimmy Hendrix. Also appeared in A Clockwork Orange.

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

  phone: +44 345 677 9013
  address: Tring Rd, Aylesbury HP20 1PQ
  Petrol station (different hours), ATMs, pharmacy (different hours)

• Morrissons

  phone: +44 1296 392055
  address: Station Way West, Aylesbury HP20 2HX
  Cafe & pharmacy (different hours). ATMs

Cyclists

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

• Desire

  phone: +44 1296 482888
  address: 40 Kingsbury Square, Aylesbury HP20 2JE

• Peking Inn

  phone: +44 1296 421211
  address: Cambridge Place, Aylesbury HP20 2LQ

• The Works

  phone: +44 1296 437289
  address: 7-9 Market Square, Aylesbury HP20 1TA

• Just Baguettes

  phone: +44 1296 399555
  address: 8/10 Bourbon St, Aylesbury HP20 2RR

• Bucks Balti House

  phone: +44 1296 337900
  address: 120 High St, Aylesbury HP20 1RB 120 High Street, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP20 1RB

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

• The Hop Pole

  phone: +44 1296 482129
  address: 83 Bicester Rd, Aylesbury HP19 9AZ

• The Kings Head

  phone: +44 1296 718812
  address: Market Square, Aylesbury HP20 2RW

• The Bell

  phone: +44 1296 632777
  address: London Rd, Aston Clinton HP22 5HP

• Temple Street Wine Bar

  phone: +44 1296 337228
  address: 7 Temple St, Aylesbury HP20 2RN

In the town centre there are a selection of small bed and breakfast, or pub hotels.
A bit further out

• Premier Inn

  phone: +44 871 527 8036 (premium)
  address: Buckingham Rd, Aylesbury HP19 9QL
  Free on-site parking. Free Wi-Fi.

• Holiday Inn

  phone: +44 871 942 9002 (premium)
  address: New Road, Weston Turville HP22 5QT
  Free Wi-Fi. Indoor swimming pool

• Best Western Garden Court

  phone: +44 0844 387 6252 (premium)
  address: Buckingham Rd, Aylesbury HP19 0FY
  Free Wi-Fi. Free on-site parking. No pets.

• House Forty One

  phone: +44 1296 483153
  address: 41 King Edward Avenue, Aylesbury HP21 7JE

• Arngrove

  phone: +44 1296 709961 (9AM-9PM)
  address: 15 Vale Rd, Aylesbury HP20 1JA

Self-catering

Self-catering apartments in Aylesbury are now becoming popular alternatives to hotel stays. There are thousands of self-catering apartments available throughout the city centre and outskirts - providing accommodation for up to 8 people at a time, for stays of anything from one night to 1 year.

• Post Office

  address: 25 - 29 High St, Aylesbury HP20 1SH

• Buckingham
• Wendover
• Tring
• Amersham
• Leighton Buzzard
• Bicester
• Thame
• High Wycombe