Buckingham

Two Georgian coaching inns still face each other across the marketplace, and that tells you everything about Buckingham's unhurried pace. This former county town lost its administrative crown to Aylesbury decades ago but gained something more valuable - the ability to go about its business without tourist crowds.

The cobbled market square remains the heart of things, surrounded by independent shops that actually serve locals rather than day trippers. Tuesday and Saturday markets still draw farmers from the surrounding countryside, just as they have for centuries. Walk down any side street and you'll find proper pubs where conversation flows as freely as the ale.

Just beyond the town boundaries, the landscape opens into classic Buckinghamshire countryside. Claydon Lake and Grebe Lake offer peaceful fishing spots, while Quainton Hill provides cracking views across the Vale of Aylesbury. The historic Quainton Windmill stands sentinel over rolling fields that seem untouched by modern development. For those wanting a glimpse into grander times, Waddesdon Diamond Jubilee Wood makes for a lovely afternoon walk through carefully managed woodland.

Getting here is straightforward enough - the A421 connects Buckingham to both the M40 and A43, putting it within easy reach of Oxford, Milton Keynes, and the Midlands. The nearest train station is at Milton Keynes, about twenty minutes by car.

Several holiday parks dot the surrounding area, from Silverstone Woodlands Campsite near the famous racing circuit to Cosgrove Park along the Grand Union Canal. Staying at one of these gives you the perfect base for exploring both Buckingham's quiet charms and the broader attractions of north Buckinghamshire without the premium prices you'd pay closer to the Cotswolds.