Discover the local history of Aylesbury and the surrounding area on your next adventure
Visiting museums is a great way to stay engaged in the community, meet new people, and learn more about the life of our ancestors. To get a real taste of the local history of the Aylesbury area, our team recommends the following locations.
Trenchard Museum represents the history of Royal Air Force Halton. Named after the Founding Father of the Royal Air Force, who also founded the Aircraft Apprentice scheme. The museum was opened in June 1999 by Viscount Trenchard, grandson of the Marshal of the Royal Air Force.
The memorable collection of aircrafts, engines, cockpits, and a range of displays represent the remarkable life of the Station’s history.
The main building represents the history of RAF Halton as a training place from the Royal Flying Corps through the modern Royal Air Force. Sit in a Gnat training aircraft and gain knowledge in aero-engine and gun technology.
Another building not to be missed is the James McCudden Flight Heritage Centre. Opened in 2014, the centre is an extension of the main building and explains the basics of flight. You will see a Grasshopper Glider and many Link Trainers. You can sit in a Chipmunk training aircraft before you move to a simulator for a real flight experience in a Chipmunk aircraft.
Find the Tranchard Museum Halton, Aylesbury HP23 6LD.
References
www.trenchardmuseum.org.uk/about.html, Accessed 1.5.23
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trenchard_Museum, Accessed 1.5.23
A beautiful place in the historical heart of Aylesbury, existing for several hundred years, the Discover Bucks Museum showcases the story of the people and the area of Buckinghamshire, dating from 200 million years ago. Explore the best of Buckinghamshire heritage from social history, archaeology, and arts to the famous Hoards of Anglo-Saxon silver coins, Lenborough Hoard.
Visiting the incredible Georgian Room built in 1750, you can see amazing Georgian architectural features, with French doors all the way to the walled garden. The oldest part of the museum is the Tudor house, dating back to 1470. In the 1750s the house has been renovated in the Georgian style with a red-brick front side and symmetrical sash windows. In the Archaeology gallery, you can find out how the Anglo-Saxon silver coins tell the story of the conflict between Vikings and Saxons.
Another amazing part of the museum to be explored is Discover Bucks Geology. You will be greeted by a Pliosaur, one of the largest marine creatures together with other fascinating fossil animals.
Take a break in the popular walled garden, surrounded by beautiful views of the Saxon Church and fruit trees. You can enjoy a nice meal or a cup of tea at Café Patios or read a book and relax on the central green lawn. There are benches located in the garden area as well.
The main entrance of the museum from Church Street is step free with access to wheelchairs. Please bare in mind that the access from Pebble Lane does not provide level access. There is a lift allocated on the ground floor which leads to the main gallery space, and a lift to access the Tudor Gallery.
Find Discover Bucks Museum at Church St, Aylesbury HP20 2QP.
References:
www.discoverbucksmuseum.org/discover-bucks/, Accessed 1.5.23
Another amazing historical place, located about 5 miles west of Aylesbury. Explore the exhibitions of express passenger locomotives, follow the circular walk around the site, visit the Victorian station building, take a look at the Travelling Post Office, or explore the fabulous Railway Museum. The museum is home to a great collection of engines, carriages, and wagons. You can also go for a Miniature Railway sit-on ride or take a ride on the short-running lane with the popular Steam Train Rides.
There is a gift shop, café and toilets inside their stunning glass-roofed Visitors Centre. You can see an LNWR Royal Diner of 1901, with the finest interior among any carriages from that era. You will also be welcomed by a New York subway car which was converted into an additional coffee shop. Another display of outstanding collection of locomotives and carriages dates from the late 1800s such as the Beattie well tank, Metropolitan Railway No1 and newer diesel engines. Don’t miss out the Wightwick Hall which has taken 40 years to be restored.
The site is fully accessible for wheelchairs. The car park has designated disabled parking spaces. The Visitor Centre has full ramp access. One of the two bridges going over the train track has a ramp and a lift from the other side. As there are few steps up to get into the carriages and the doors are not wide enough to fit a standard wheelchair, there is a break room at the back of the train with provided ramp. If a visitor is able to take a few steps up, wheelchairs can be left on the platform.
The museum is open every Sunday and Bank Holidays from 2nd April until 29th October, 10:30 – 17:00.
The Coffee Shop within the visitor’s centre is open every Monday to Friday, from 9:30 – 14:00.
Find the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre at Station Road, Quainton, Aylesbury, HP22 4BY.
References
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckinghamshire_Railway_Centre, Accessed 1.5.23
https://bucksrailcentre.org/article.php/64/everything-else , Accessed 1.5.23
https://www.visitbuckinghamshire.org/attraction/buckinghamshire-railway-centre-1, Accessed 1.5.23
Last but not least, consider a trip to Haddenham Museum. Haddenham Museum is independent and run by volunteers. Established in 1998, the museum represents the history of Haddenham. The main focus is the domestic, industrial, and rural life of the village. The collection in the museum includes household and industrial items, audio and video displays, photo albums, literature, agricultural facts, and tools. See photos of the village during the war or the collection of equipment worn by soldiers. You will also find old books, toys, and more.
The museum is open on Sundays from 2 pm to 4 pm and Tuesdays from 10 am to 12 pm. Operating months from March to December.
Find Haddenham Museum at The Old Schoolroom, Methodist Church, High Street, Haddenham, HP17 8ES
References
https://haddenham-museum.org.uk/, Accessed 1.5.23
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haddenham_Museum, Accessed 1.5.23
Whether for mental stimulation or a day out full of fun and adventures, Aylesbury has got plenty of history waiting to be explored.
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