Looking for a perfect Staycation destination In Buckinghamshire? Then High Wycombe could be your holiday destination, this year.
Image: Kevin Hellon/Shutterstock.com
High Wycombe is a huge modern-looking market town in Buckinghamshire, with a reputation for being one of the more prosperous areas of England. We took an in-depth look around town, to find out what makes it so special. Why has High Wycombe got such a good reputation and is it as great a place to live as the rest of us seem to think it is?
Let’s find out!
High Wycombe in the Early Days
Back in the early, early, early AD years, the Romans built a villa on the River Wye where the pool now sits. They would have enjoyed the waters, help gatherings, and it would likely have been a well-off Roman family that lived here. Although first excavated in 1724, it has been uncovered multiple times over the years. The villa has been dated to around 150 AD, meaning they were there just after the first Romans came to UK shores.
The name of the town is thought to have been a combination of the word for a wooded valley crossed with the name of the River. Other inspirations say that the Old English “Wic” and “Ham” came together to make the original Wycombe. Whatever happened, the Romans left behind a substantial villa and bathhouse as some of the first settlers in the area.
As of around 400 AD the Romans retreated to Europe, leaving behind a lot of wooden forts that went to waste in the English rains. Later, the Vikings would terrorise the riverbanks up until around 1000 AD.
The Doomsday Book
England was invaded by the Normans as of 1066-, and two-decades later William the Conqueror ordered the Domesday Survey to be taken so that he could see what it was that he owned. This was the first ordnance survey in England and is widely regarded as a starting point for most towns.
High Wycombe can be found in this survey and can be viewed online, here. The town was already large enough to have 60 houses in it, making it one of the top 20% of all large towns and cities in England at that time. It records that Robert d’Oilly owned 30 plough-able fields and 30 teams to work them. He had his own lands, woodlands containing five hundred pigs, and 6 mills. The land was worth 26 pounds – a phenomenal sum in those days… d’Oilly must have been a wealthy man indeed.
The Medieval Era
During the medieval era, High Wycombe won status as a town. Although first documented as a town in 970, the town contained a church that was not consecrated until 1086. In 1222 they were given a charter that allowed them to hold a market once a week. This would be extended to include a fair once a year, which enabled the large town to get larger.
In 1226 the town gained a moot hall, where meetings could be held involving trade matters but in 1476, it received its first indoor market. We know that throughout the years, farmers came from all over to trade here. By the time the start of the Industrial era rolled around, they had a population of around 3000 people. This is a small number to us nowadays, but back then – and after multiple plagues, with no sewage or clean running water – they were already a large town.
Let us pause a moment to look at some of the most fun things to have happened in High Wycombe before we get stuck into the Industrial Revolution… When High Wycombe truly had a growth spurt.
The Top Fun Facts about High Wycombe
We here at Five Minutes Spare love to dig up the funniest, most interesting, and sometimes the most gruesome facts about an area. High Wycombe trivia does not disappoint! Here are our favourite fun things about this sensational town:
- The Hellfire Club – the same one with the naked dancing and the orgies – used to meet at Medmenham Abbey near Wycombe. The idea of some of our modern politicians holding naked orgies is disgusting, so presumably, they felt a similar level of disgust when Sir Francis Dashwood, Chancellor of the Exchequer and founder of the Hellfire Club, did it.
- High Wycombe has this weird tradition of weighing their mayor. Since 1678, the mayor has been loaded onto a scale and his weight has been described to the masses. They do not say how much he weighs, but they do say whether he has put on weight.
- The Villa found in 150 ADS sported an extensive bathhouse, adding to the notion that the residents were well off. Further excavations have discovered it to be a large estate with several farms connected to it. It is likely that the first roads made in this area were built for this estate.
- One of the workers involved in the riots of 1830 was shipped to Tasmania as a punishment. This led to them developing large portions of the land there and doing very well for themselves.
- Besides furniture, there were multiple factories responsible to produce paper in and around the High Wycombe area. The paper mills were a large income resource for the town. It is thought there were around sixty of them at their height.
As you can see, High Wycombe has just as much going for it as big cities of lesser import. Let us turn our attention back to the history for a moment and find out what happens in modern times.
The Industrial Years
The 17th and 18th centuries in High Wycombe saw people make the most of two things: lace and paper. Paper mills sprung up so that parchment could be made. Weavers came to the town and took up residence. The River Wye is a known source of chalk, which was perfect for turning the brownish pulp of the paper into a white colour suitable for writing on.
In the beginning of the 18th century, the paper industry dwindled, and the production of cloth overtook all. This was normal for most English towns, but High Wycombe was a little different. When the Cotton Famine kicked in, they turned to another angle. Being surrounded by dense forests with plenty of access to freshly cut wood meant one thing… that they could make furniture.
As of the 19th century, furniture making became the main export of High Wycombe. While other towns were jolted into the Industrial Revolution with the arrival of steam power, this town was building chairs tenfold and selling them down the river, in London, and at the other end of the railway line. It is estimated that 4,700 chairs were being churned out per day in High Wycombe at the latter end of the 19th century. By this time, the population had increased some ten thousand people, and Queen Victoria herself had scheduled a visit. She came to town in 1877, much to the adulation of local crowds.
In 1928, there were 29,000 people living in High Wycombe, despite having just sent all their young men to the First World War. With a thriving furniture industry still in place right through to the 1960s, it is remarkable that they retained such a high population after the wars. Stable production continued, however, and there are still furniture makers in High Wycombe to this very day.
Modern High Wycombe
The Second World War and its predecessor did not pass easily for this area. The American air force needed a base in Britain, and High Wycombe was just far enough outside of London to make the perfect base. They moved into a hanger in 1942 and the RAF High Wycombe station was born. It was home to the first-ever RAF Bomber Command Centre, which is both cool and scary at the same time.
Although it was bombed, Buckinghamshire escaped the worst of the damage of WWII. Nevertheless, men from this area still gave their lives to protect the country and their sacrifice should never be forgotten.
By the 20s the war was over, and the town was expanding. The council started to move those that lived in the slum areas into houses that were purpose-built. The new estates went into the valley and the countryside, vastly improving the quality of life for all involved. It is recorded that some of the estates that were knocked down had sewage flowing down the centre of the street and had long since been deemed unfit for human habitation.
Despite all this slum clearance, you can still see some of the old 18th and 19th-century buildings in High Wycombe in the main thoroughfares.
Post War Refurbishment
After the Second World War was over, the 60s saw the refurbishment of the old town centre so that even more old architecture was lost. They added multi-storey car parks, shopping centres, and about a hundred new roads to connect High Wycombe to the rest of the world via motorway.
Nowadays, although situated in one of the wealthiest regions of Britain, High Wycombe still sees depravity in some of the slum areas. Many old council estates have not been updated for decades, adding to the decrepit feel around town. The multi-storey flats, office blocks, and shopping centres all contribute to giving the town a bleak feel.
In Need of a Facelift
Back in 2007, a government investigation found a fifth of all the streets in High Wycombe to be litter-strewn. They also described it as the 26th dirtiest town in the UK and the 4th dirtiest in its area. High Wycombe became the shameful face of Buckinghamshire. Since then though the town has certainly cleaned up its act and a similar survey today would not be so hard on them.
In the latter parts of the 20th century, the town was given several refurbishments to try and put some life back into it. A new shopping centre, multimillion-pound hotel, and the addition of a student village alongside the university are all contributions that have been added to the updated town throughout the years.
When we look back over the history of this illustrious area, we can see that it has historically held some of the wealthiest members of society. From ancient Romans to visits from Queen Victoria, this has been a successful market town for hundreds of years. We can only hope that the town still stands in another few hundred years.
With so much going on in one not-quite-a-city-yet town, it is no surprise that thousands of Brits are turning their attention towards it as a potential holiday destination while we are all stuck in a pandemic. Some of the best things to do in High Wycombe are listed below. But first, however, we are going to talk about famous people and how many of them have come from High Wycombe.
Famous People from High Wycombe
There are so many famous people from this area of the country that you would not believe them all. Some of the Five Minutes Spare favourite famous faces from High Wycombe are as follows:
- Steve Armitage, who presented Hockey Night in Canada for over thirty years, was from High Wycombe.
- Celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal is from High Wycombe.
- Comedian James Corden comes from here.
- Singer and entertainer Dusty Springfield was not an American, they were a High Wycombian?
- TV Presenter Charlotte Roche is from here.
There is a whole long list of people to have come out of High Wycombe and made it big. You can view some of them over on Wikipedia if you are interested.
Attractions in High Wycombe
Finally, we get to the part everyone has been waiting for: what and where you should visit if you come to town?
Landmarks and historical sights
Hughenden Manor is one of the largest landmarks and historical sights in the area. This monumental hall has sprawling gardens to explore, its own tearoom, and a former home of Benjamin Disraeli. Hughenden is a gorgeous old building for the Instagram enthusiast and holds more than its fair share of history. Learn all about it or just go for a picnic and a nosey. It is run by the National Trust so try to donate where you can.
St Lawrence’s Church is another vast landmark from the area. With a steeple that can be seen form all over town, this place was one of the first churches erected in the area. It is perched on top of the High Wycombe hill, an area which allows it to tower over all else. Have a look at some of the graves, they are truly ancient. It is believed you can see all the way to London from the top of the spire on a clear day.
There are caves under High Wycombe, which are named after those early frivolous orgy goers. The Hellfire Caves date back to the 1700s, which is roughly the same time as the infamous group existed. It is thought that they uncovered the caves or dug them out themselves. The human-made caves were thought to be a hiding place for some of the last of the druids. They are worth a visit… nowadays they even have their own café.
Outdoor Attractions
There are lots of things to do outdoors in this area, since High Wycombe still has some of the forests which once sprawled the whole valley. The Rye Park is one of the best ways to see the natural world without having to go too far out into the actual countryside proper. Sitting on the edge of the Holywell mead, where the ancient water well that would have attracted the Romans once sat. The Rye has space for everyone to sit, sunbathe, think, read, or play games in. It is a beautiful area of the town.
If you have kids and are looking for things to do with them in High Wycombe, the Odds Farm Park is ideal. They have teacup pigs, ducks, geese, and all manner of other animals. If you get there at the right time of the day, you can witness feeding sessions. You can pet the animals, enjoy an on-site coffee and can let them play in the free play zones both indoors and outdoors. It is said to be the finest farm park in all of Buckinghamshire
There are any number of other outdoor places to see in and around High Wycombe, but we recommend heading to West Wycombe Park if you get the chance. This is another natural area that oversees some of the valleys. It has a little forestry around it and generally makes a great place to take the kids.
Sports and Recreation
High Wycombe has their own football team which you can find playing at Adams Park. This is visible from most of the town but sits just outside of it. The stadium is surrounded by forest on one side, which is a nice feeling. You can catch a game here or take a tour of the famous home of the Wycombe Wanderers.
You have a choice in golf clubs here, as with most British towns, there is always at least three clubs within reach. One is at the Hazelmere Golf Club just to the north of town; the others are the Wycombe Heights Golf Centre and the Flackwell Heath Golf Club.
Museums and Art Galleries
Drop in to the Wycombe museum when you want to find out about the town’s industrial heritage. If you are trying to find out about ancestry in the area, this is where you will find it. You can add the Library to your list of places to check for family info, too. The Library has some beautiful gardens which many people count as an attraction on their own.
As for Galleries, the Wycombe Arts Centre is your best bet for local exhibitions. You should be able to contribute to community theatre here, see local artists, and even book out the hall if you have an event. They also have some music rooms for young musicians.
Shopping and Retail
Visit the Little Market House for a great shopping experience. You also have three different shopping centres to choose from, with the Eden Centre being the newest and usually preferred. You also have the choice of the Park Parade and the shops that are all over the town centre. Since the area was refurbished, they are all new.
Other Notable Attractions
We found that there was so much to see and do in High Wycombe that we could not possibly list them all here. Instead, we pinned some on the bottom so they would not be missed out. Here are our top pins for near to High Wycombe for when you get down to visiting:
- The Fisher’s Brewing company can give you a tour and some drinks.
- The Wycombe Swan Theatre is the venue of choice for all events.
- Take the kids to Rollermania for the day.
- There are a handful of churches to see in High Wycombe for the religiously inclined.
- Visit St Francis of Assisi Terrier in the area.
- Rush UK have a trampoline park in the area.
There are dozens of other things you can get up to in and around High Wycombe. All you need is a sense of adventure and the determination to explore!
How to Get to High Wycombe
Image: Martin Anderson/Shutterstock.com
You are finally up to speed on all the things that we can think of to tell you about High Wycombe – except how you get there.
By Road
Head north or south on the M40 and you cannot miss it.
By Rail
High Wycombe train station is on the Chiltern Railways line.
By Air
London Heathrow Airport is less than 20 miles away.
By Sea
If you can sail up the River Wye, then you can get to High Wycombe by boat.
Got Five minutes Spare?
If you find yourself with a little spare time on your hands, hop on over to Five Minutes Spare headquarters. We have all manner of detailed reports on all types of staycation destination. Who knows? Maybe you will even find your own town listed?
