Spring 2012
Whatever the weather, there are plenty of characterful towns and villages with cosy pubs and historic inns, country markets and individual shops, boutiques and antique fairs to keep you occupied. Try Old Amersham or Wendover nearby, Berkhamsted and Tring a little further away. Or enjoy a walk in the hills, by the river Thames or on a town trail.
Early doors: Hughenden Manor, the historic home of Disraeli, Queen Victoria's Prime Minister, will be fully open, seven days a week from mid-February. Enjoy woodland walks, signs of spring and warming lunches and teas. See their website for various events through the year: Operation Hillside (discover wartime Hughenden); Nordic Walking (taster sessions); Easter Eggg Trail; Dizzy's Travels; Countryside Workouts.
National Trust at Cliveden holds several Spring Events including: Spring Season Tuesday Garden Tours.
Late April/May Bluebells and beechwoods, a classic Chiltern Hills combination, in most woods in the area.
Mid April/May Tulips at Waddesdon Manor and at Chenies Manor
Easter Weekend (6 - 9 April) Love Food Festival, Great Missenden, with celebrity chefs, local restaurants showcase and regional brewing competition
Why not take in a game of rugby?
Who better to watch than London Wasps
at home in High Wycombe,
just 15 minutes away?
Summer
26th and 27th May 40's Family Festival at Bletchley Park. Join the re-enactment volunteers at the home of World War II's secret codebreaking operations for a nostalgic tribute to the 1940's. Flypast by Spitfires, Lancasters and Hurricanes.
9th to 24th June Bucks Open Studios: Artists and makers from all over Buckinghamshire open up their studios to visitors. All venues are free to visit. We encourage you to take a look behind the scenes and see how some of the most beautiful crafts are made by artisans of the County. Visit studios, meet artists and makers and perhaps try your hand at something new. It is a wonderful opportunity ot see first-hand the depth and diversity of talent spread through the County.
Chiltern Open Air Museum is open all year. Some special dates:
6th to 9th April: Medieval Pageant
17th June: Heavy Horse Show
21st to 22nd July: Classic Vehicle Show
25th to 27th August: Ship Taxes, Soldiers and Skirmishes – King Charles 1
27th June - 1st July Henley Royal Regatta
4th - 8th July Henley Festival of Arts
19 - 22 July Art in Action: 400 artists, craftspeople, musicians and teachers come together in the grounds of Waterperry House, Oxfordshire to demonstrate their skills and love of art. Not to be missed - one day is not enough..
18 - 19 August: Berkshire 4x4 Show: including Bikes, Funfair, Stunts, Wrestling, Search & Rescue Dogs, Xtreme Trampoline, PigroastSeptember: Bucks County Show: Agricultural, Equine, Craft and Country Pursuits
8th September: Henley Show: local Agricultural Show with range of livestock, horses, dogs, crafts and Country Pursuits, in lovely setting.
The Kop Hill Climb for classic cars celebrates its third revival on 22nd & 23rd September
Autumn
Stay in the cosy Barn in the cool, crisp days of autumn and enjoy our special seasonal breakfast menu.
This is a glorious time of year in our Chiltern beechwoods. Now is the time for walking as vistas are revealed and the ground turns golden with fallen leaves. Enjoy some clear sunny days and follow some of the myriad of footpaths over the hills. Or take a stroll from the
door through the beechwoods to Great Hampden, past the cricket pitch and to the village pub to enjoy a pint.
If you fancy mushroom hunting, there’s plenty of scope and many fields and hillsides to search. The Bucks Fungus Society stages a recognition event at Aylesbury Museum in the Autumn.
November and December
Come and stay in the cosy Barn and accomplish your Christmas Shopping at Wycombe’s new Eden Centre. Then find a magical Christmas event (or more shopping) at a local National Trust House such as Hughenden Manor or Waddesdon Manor or a Christmas street market (Old Amersham). And remember, Bicester Chic Outlet Shopping is not far away. Or you can even hop on a train to London! Round off your visit with a roast dinner or a pie and pint at a Chilterns or Thames-side traditional pub.
Visit our local Christmas Craft Fair at Hyde End, Great Missenden, from 5th - 7th October to shop for unique and handmade gifts for Christmas.
Take a trip to Blenheim Palace to enjoy Living Crafts for Christmas from 16th to 18th November.
Highlights of the Garden Year 2012
Includes gardens open throughout the year in Buckinghamshire for the ngs. These are gardens that are particularly close to us.
February
Snowdrops at Waterperry Gardens, 18th & 19th February
April
Tulips: Waddesdon Tulip Festival, 14th to 29th April
May
Bluebells in the beechwoods: from the door, in all our local woods