Discover 11 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in High Wycombe (United Kingdom). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: West Wycombe Park, Hellfire Caves, and Hughenden Manor. Also, be sure to include High Wycombe Town Hall in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in High Wycombe (England).
Table of Contents
West Wycombe Park
Country house in England. West Wycombe Park is a country house built between 1740 and 1800 near the village of West Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, England. It was conceived as a pleasure palace for the 18th-century libertine and dilettante Sir Francis Dashwood, 2nd Baronet. The house is a long rectangle with four façades that are columned and pedimented, three theatrically so. The house encapsulates the entire progression of British 18th-century architecture from early idiosyncratic Palladian to the Neoclassical, although anomalies in its design make it architecturally unique. The mansion is set within an 18th-century landscaped park containing many small temples and follies, which act as satellites to the greater temple, the house.
The house, which is a Grade I listed building, was given to the National Trust in 1943 by Sir John Dashwood, 10th Baronet (1896–1966), an action strongly resented by his heir. Dashwood retained ownership of the surrounding estate and the contents of the house, most of which he sold; after his death, the house was restored at the expense of his son, the 11th Baronet. Today, while the structure is owned by the National Trust, the house is still the home of the Dashwood family. The house is open to the public during the summer months and is a venue for civil weddings and corporate entertainment, which help to fund its maintenance and upkeep.[1]
Address: West Wycombe, HP14 3AJ West Wycombe
Hellfire Caves
Tourist attraction in West Wycombe, England. The Hellfire Caves are a network of man-made chalk and flint caverns which extend 260m underground. They are situated above the village of West Wycombe, at the southern edge of the Chiltern Hills near High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, Southeast England.
They were excavated between 1748 and 1752 for Francis Dashwood, 11th Baron le Despencer (2nd Baronet), founder of the Dilettanti Society and co-founder of the Hellfire Club, whose meetings were held in the caves. The caves have been operating as a tourist attraction since 1863.[2]
Address: Church Ln, HP14 3AH High Wycombe
Hughenden Manor
Stately home of Benjamin Disraeli. Hughenden Manor, Hughenden, Buckinghamshire is a Victorian mansion, with earlier origins, that served as the country house of the Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield. It is now owned by the National Trust and open to the public. It sits on the brow of the hill to the west of the main A4128 road that links Hughenden to High Wycombe.[3]
Address: Hughenden Park, HP14 4LA High Wycombe
High Wycombe Town Hall
City or town hall in Wycombe, England. High Wycombe Town Hall is a public building located on Queen Victoria Road in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England. It is a Grade II listed building.[4]
St Michael and All Angels Church
Church in England. St Michael and All Angels' Church is a Grade: II* listed Anglican church in the Hughenden Valley, Buckinghamshire, England, near to High Wycombe. It is closely associated with the nearby Hughenden Manor and the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Benjamin Disraeli who is buried in the churchyard.
The church stands on land owned by the National Trust but the church and churchyard belong to the Church of England.[5]
Address: Hughenden Church, HP14 4LA High Wycombe
Wycombe Museum
Museum in Wycombe, England. Wycombe Museum is a free local museum located in the town of High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England. It is run by Wycombe Heritage and Arts Trust, as of 1 December 2016. It was previously run by Wycombe District Council.
The museum is located in Castle Hill House on Priory Avenue. It is situated in an 18th-century house on a medieval site, and surrounding the museum are Victorian gardens. The museum presents exhibitions the history of the local area, including the furniture industry, especially chair-making. There are also displays of Windsor chairs, lace, art and natural history.[6]
Address: Priory Ave, HP13 6PX High Wycombe
St Lawrence's Church
Church in England. St Lawrence's Church is a Church of England church in the parish of West Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England. It sits on top of West Wycombe Hill in a prominent position overlooking the West Wycombe Road, and surrounding villages. West Wycombe Hill is managed by the National Trust, although the church and graveyard are owned by the Church of England. The church resides in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. St Lawrence Church and the mausoleum both occupy similar positions on top of West Wycombe Hill, and the Church tower is visible for many miles around. The top of the tower is the highest point in the Southern Chilterns and on a clear day, it is possible to see West London.[7]
Address: Church Ln, HP14 3AP High Wycombe
Wycombe Swan Theatre
Theatre in Wycombe, England. Wycombe Swan is a theatre in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England. The theatre was opened in November 1992 by Wycombe District Council and is now operated by HQ Theatres. The Wycombe Swan complex consists of the main theatre, the Wycombe Swan Town Hall, and the Oak Room, all of which can be hired for events. It has a capacity of 1,076.
The theatre was refurbished in the summer of 2010.
It is also home to the Wycombe Swan Youth Project - previously known as Wycombe Swan Youth Theatre - which is a Youth Theatre Company open to 10- to 19-year-olds. The organisation runs workshops and performance-based activities as well as a show every year.[8]
Address: High Wycombe, St Mary Street
St Mary and St George Church
St Mary and St George Church, High Wycombe is a free Byzantine style Grade II listed church, and is situated in the Diocese of Oxford. The church is notable because of its green copper dome which is considered a landmark in High Wycombe.[9]
St Paul's Church
Church in West Wycombe, England. St. Paul's Church, in High Street, West Wycombe, England, is one of two Anglican churches in the village.
St. Paul's was built by Lady Elizabeth Dashwood, widow of Sir George Henry Dashwood to serve the village of West Wycombe. The architect was J. W. Hugall of Oxford and it was built in 1875.
Nicholas Pevsner says:
The CHURCH OF ST PAUL in the garden of the Vicarage is of 1845 architect unknown, red brick with an apse and lancet windows.
However, the date given on the stained glass windows gives the date, 1875 (also the date given in the Victoria County History) and the architect as J.W. Hugall. The roof features pitch pine roof trusses.
Near the church door is a large, traditional, font in which babies are baptised. It symbolises the start of the journey of faith.
There are two stained glass windows, one is a gift from the architect and the other was given by Sir Theodore H L Brinckman Bart. Opposite the door is a large crucifix of Christ the King. It came from a church in Italy. The organ is a small, single manual, chamber one and is used regularly.
St. Paul's is shared by the Serbian Orthodox Church, being named St. Nicholas by them. They hold a service each month. The most prominent feature of the church interior is an iconostasis covered with icons.
There is also a statue of the Virgin Mary in the church and the Blessed Sacrament is reserved here. St. Paul's was consecrated by the Bishop of Buckingham on Sunday 13 June 1937.
St. Paul's is known as the 'Winter Church' and St. Lawrence, on West Wycombe Hill as the 'Summer Church.' This was because there was no road up to St. Lawrence until 1928 and no power until the 1970s.
The West Wycombe Revels, a large village fete, used to be held in the grounds around the church each summer.[10]
Address: 3 High St, HP14 3AE High Wycombe
Millfield Wood
Millfield Wood is a 9.5 hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest north of High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire. It is owned and managed by the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust, and it is in the Chilterns Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The site was owned in the late nineteenth century by Benjamin Disraeli, and the woodland is much older. It is semi-natural beech woodland on chalk, which is an unusual habitat, and it also has considerable wych elm. Its rich ground flora includes some ancient woodland and nationally restricted species, and many wild flowers, which is unusual in beech woodland. There are a number of badger setts and a varied invertebrate fauna. Birds include great spotted woodpeckers and chiffchaffs.
There is access by a footpath from White Hill.[11]