Aylesbury
Aylesbury was originally built on a low limestone hill, surrounded by the flood plain of the river Thame, and close to the chalk hills of the Chilterns. Aylesbury is at the heart of a road network which radiates from the town in all directions, the primary of these being the A41, which was formerly the major Roman road Akeman Street, which connected Bath to St Albans.
Aylesbury was founded in Saxon times and then in 1529 was declared the county town of Buckinghamshire by Henry VIII. At this time Aylesbury Manor was owned by Ann Boleyn’s father Thomas.
The town expanded dramatically during the 1960’s and early 1970’s to accommodate the overspill from London.
The most picturesque part of the town is in the mostly Georgian area around the church, which includes the splendidly refurbished County Museum and Art Gallery, and the new Roald Dahl Children’s Gallery.
The main shopping centres are in Friars Square, Hale Leys and the High Street. Dominating the centre of the town is the 12-storey tower of the County Council offices, built in the 1960s and admired by some for its imaginative use of concrete.
The town centre is the Market Square, with its County Hall of 1740 and, hidden behind shops, the magnificent frontage of the King’s Head Hotel. Dating from about 1450, its windows include stained-glass commemorating the marriage of Henry VI to Margaret of Anjou in 1445, who are said to have stayed there on their honeymoon.
The Market Square also contains statues of Benjamin Disraeli and John Hampden. Near to the church is Prebendal House, once the home of the radical John Wilkes, MP for Aylesbury from 1757-1760.
Aylesbury is undergoing substantial improvements with the new Aylesbury Vale Parkway Station having opened in 2009. New houses are being constructed on the 187 hectare Berryfields site which will accommodate a total of 3,000 homes. The Waterside Theatre, the first new theatre to open in Britain for a decade, opened last year. The theatre was the first part of the Waterside scheme, which will include a Debenham’s department store and a further 30 shops. In addition, a 30,900 sq ft Waitrose foodstore will be located nearby.
Transport
| Time to London / Distance | Season Ticket | |
|---|---|---|
| Rail – Aylesbury Town | 54 minutes | £3,340 |
| Rail – Aylesbury Vale Parkway | 59 minutes | £3,600 |
| Car | 43 miles |
Rent guide
| One Bed Flat | £500 to £650 |
|---|---|
| Two Bed Flat | £600 to £800 |
| Three Bed Semi | £750 to £995 |
| Four Bed Detached House | £900 to £1,750 |
