Buckinghamshire is a scenic ceremonial county in South East England known for its historic market towns, natural beauty in the Chiltern Hills, cultural landmarks like Bletchley Park, and strong rail and public transport connections.
Dunstable Downs, the highest point in Bedfordshire, is a chalk escarpment in the Chiltern Hills offering outdoor activities like gliding and kite flying, with rich natural history and ancient archaeological sites. It is managed by the National Trust and accessible via walking trails.
7 Oct 2026–28 Feb 2027 (another 142 days)
Families can enjoy outdoor play at Dunstable Downs, including a welly wander, building woodland dens, making muddy creations, and playing outdoor hopscotch while exploring seasonal changes and wildlife.
Cliveden House is a historic Italianate mansion in Buckinghamshire managed by the National Trust with extensive formal gardens, woodlands, and themed outdoor areas. It features a richly decorated interior with notable rooms and art, a historic clock tower, and a unique outdoor maze. The estate provides diverse visitor experiences including house tours, garden walks, family-friendly activities, and dining options.
Eden Shopping Centre in High Wycombe is a large indoor retail and entertainment complex featuring over 100 shops, a cinema, bowling alley, and a library with step-free access, complemented by ample parking and an adjoining bus station. It serves as a major regional shopping destination with facilities and events catering to all ages.
2 Oct, 16 Oct…
A volunteer-led social walk across Cookham Commons, taking in heathland, woodland paths and countryside views. Participants can learn about the area and its care while walking at a relaxed pace and meeting others.
Greys Court is a Tudor country house with historic interiors and extensive gardens featuring a medieval castle tower, a walled garden with a maze, and ornamental plants, open to the public under the National Trust.
Stowe Gardens in Buckinghamshire are a prestigious English landscape garden featuring extensive parkland, architectural monuments, classical temples, and historical structures designed by prominent 18th-century architects and gardeners. Managed by the National Trust, the gardens offer a significant outdoor visitor experience with preserved landscapes and classical architecture, a visitor centre, and a rich heritage of garden design.
15 Oct (next Thursday)
Michael Bevington gives a lecture on Sir John Vanbrugh’s work at Stowe, including archaeological evidence for his buildings and his contribution to the landscape vision developed with Lord Cobham and Charles Bridgeman. The 60-minute talk is followed by audience questions.
Friars Square is a large indoor shopping centre in Aylesbury featuring over 60 shops and restaurants, a multi-storey car park, and a bus station, anchored by House of Fraser.
Aylesbury is the historic county town of Buckinghamshire, England, known for its historic market square, cultural arts centres, the Roald Dahl Children's Gallery, and its notable theatre scene. It has rich history including medieval origins, a strong duck breeding tradition, and was the birthplace of the Paralympic Games.
Woburn Safari Park in Bedfordshire offers a 360-acre drive-through safari experience with a wide range of animals including lions, elephants, and rhinos. It includes a Foot Safari area with smaller animals and interactive exhibits, as well as leisure amenities such as a family restaurant and play zones, making it suitable for visitors of all ages.
Ashridge is a National Trust country estate in Hertfordshire featuring a notable early Gothic Revival stately home, extensive woodlands, gardens designed by Humphrey Repton, and the Bridgewater Monument. The estate also hosts the Hult Ashridge executive education program within the house.
The King's Head is a historic 15th-century coaching inn in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, featuring original architecture including a Great Hall, 13th-century cellars, and a scenic courtyard. It is operated by The National Trust, offers food and drink on-site, and has notable ghost stories and Tudor-era rooms.
Hartwell House is a historic Jacobean and Georgian country house in Buckinghamshire, famous as the exile home of King Louis XVIII and now a National Trust leased hotel with landscaped Capability Brown gardens and historic scientific connections.
The Central Milton Keynes Shopping Complex includes thecentre:mk and Midsummer Place, two large adjoining indoor shopping centres with over 270 stores. The original centre opened in 1979 and is a Grade II listed building noted for its modernist architecture and daylight-filled arcades. The venue features indoor public spaces, markets, and extensive landscaping along with shops, restaurants and notable public art installations.
Dorneywood is an 18th-century Georgian country house near Burnham, Buckinghamshire, owned by the National Trust and used as a grace-and-favour residence for senior UK government ministers. Visitors can explore the historic interiors featuring artwork and the extensive gardens and parkland surrounding the house, with public tours available in summer.
3 Oct–8 Nov (another 30 days)
Families can use the Stranger Folk app to play an interactive folklore adventure around Cliveden, encountering goblins and other creatures. The event also includes scheduled children’s craft drop-ins and age-appropriate storytelling sessions.
Waddesdon Manor is a Grade I listed Neo-Renaissance country house in Buckinghamshire, England, managed by the National Trust and owned by the Rothschild Foundation. It features remarkable art collections, formal gardens, an aviary, and historic wine cellars, with public access including exhibitions, dining, and child-friendly activities.
7–11 Oct, 14–18 Oct…
An interactive display explores the history and family tree of the Rothschild family, including their connections to Waddesdon Manor and their interests in art, horticulture, nature and sustainability.
Hughenden Manor is a Victorian mansion and former country house of Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, featuring historic rooms, memorabilia, and extensive gardens in Buckinghamshire. Now owned by the National Trust, it offers visitors a blend of indoor historical experience and outdoor natural beauty with views over the valley.
3 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
A family activity trail in Hughenden’s formal gardens, inspired by the children’s book The Great Big Halloween Hunt. Children can search, play and explore along the route.
Basildon Park is a Grade I listed Palladian country house in Berkshire featuring neoclassical interiors and extensive landscaped grounds. Visitors can explore both the grand historic interiors and the outdoor parkland, with exhibits including a nostalgic 1950s kitchen. The house has been restored and is open to the public, offering a rich glimpse into English country house history and architecture. It has also served as a location for several notable films.