😍 Discover the Charm of Buckingham nestled in lush greenery. Buckingham is a picturesque town where history and nature blend seamlessly. With the tranquil River Great Ouse weaving through, it’s a haven for those eager to explore rich heritage, unwind in scenic parks with benches dotted around, or let children burn off their endless energy at the play parks it offers. Whether you're a history buff or simply seeking a peaceful escape for a picnic or walk, Buckingham has something for everyone.
😌 Buckingham
😌 A TOWN WITH CHARACTER Wander through the heart of Buckingham and you'll find cozy cafés, delightful restaurants, and bustling charity shops. Among its historical gems stands the Old Buckingham Gaol, a fascinating museum that whispers tales of the town’s past. Just beyond the park, you’ll stumble upon the mysterious Flosh, an intriguing landmark connected to Buckingham’s milling history.
⛪️ Buckingham Town
🔐 THE OLD GAOL A Glimpse into Buckingham’s Dark Past. Built in 1748, the Old Gaol was Buckingham’s answer to a growing problem—where to safely detain criminals. Before its construction, the town relied on a temporary lock-up after the original castle gaol burned down in the Second Great Fire of Buckingham (1725).
Security was so poor that, in 1743, authorities feared a dramatic jailbreak. A convicted murderer, George Sansbury, faced immediate execution to prevent his accomplices from springing him from custody! Today, the Old Gaol Museum stands as a testament to this gripping history, offering visitors a journey into Buckingham’s turbulent past. ♿️ Buckingham Old Gaol accessibility 🌐 Buckingham Old Gaol Website
🗝 The Buckingham Gaol
💦 THE FLOSH - A PADDLE SPOT One of Buckingham’s most intriguing landmarks, The Flosh sits alongside Lord’s Bridge, a historic weir tied to Buckingham’s old town mill. Overlooking the water, Hunter Street leads towards Buckingham University, where the past and present intertwine. If you enjoy discovering unique locations rich in history, this is one stop you won’t want to miss. Why not cool your feet in these clear waters, although small but beautiful location.
💦 The Flosh - Pefect place for a paddle
♿️ Accessible route to The Flosh:
1. Start at Ford Street Bridge:
Begin at the Ford Street Bridge, which is accessible for wheelchairs.
2. Follow the River Great Ouse:
The park's path follows the river, providing a relatively flat and accessible route.
3. Tanlaw Mill:
You'll pass the historic Tanlaw Mill along the way.
4. The Flosh:
The path continues towards The Flosh, offering a picturesque and accessible route along the river.
🚶♂️WALKS ▪️Railway Walk A Journey Through Time. The Railway Walk follows the route of the old train line, 1 mile of straight footpath, ponds and a rich variety of wildlife. Step onto the Railway Walkand trace the path of history! Once part of the Banbury to Verney Junction Branch Line, this route has transformed from a bustling railway into a scenic walking trail.The Railway Walk starts just off Tingewick Road. ▪️Circular Walk The circular walk around Buckingham is around 3 miles taking maybe around 2 hours. Taking in Bourton Park, the University, Chandos Park and the Great River Ouse, the walk is clearly way marked and includes alternative routes, making it easier for pushchairs etc. Passing through the heart of Buckingham, it meanders through parkland and along the old railway embankment, where it offers great views of the Town. MAP OF THE CIRCULAR WALK
🌳 Beautiful walks - some are accessible
🛝 A LIST OF PLAY PARKS IN BUCKINGHAM ▪️Bourton Park Junior and Senior Play ▪️Bridge Street & Skate park ▪️Chandos Park ▪️Clarence Park ▪️Otters Brook ▪️Lace Hill Sports and Community Centre ▪️Lace Hill Bobbins Way and Needlepin Way ▪️Ken Tagg ▪️Moreton Road ▪️Overn Avenue ▪️Stratford Fields
🛝 Some parks are riverside, a great place for picnics
🅿️ PARKING Cornwells Meadow Car Park offers affordable rates. Stay all day on Sundays & Bank Holidays for only £1.70. This car park also offers accessible toilets and is situated steps from the shops and river walk.
🅿️ Parking Charges By Meadow Shopping Centre (June 2025)
🛍 Meadow Shopping Centre with cafes, shops & Waitrose
💘 WANT A ROMANTIC STAY IN BUCKINGHAM An ideal place for a date night away from the hustle and bustle. We have found lots of great deals on Expedia below. Click here to view hotels
💯 HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! A fantastic free thing to do in Luton, Bedfordshire on sunny or rainy days. Great for families, friends, date idea or time on your own to experience the history, fascinating artifacts and beautiful gardens it has to offer in Bedfordshire. The museum even has a couple of cute chickens.
From lots of classic vehicles, carriages, to antique toys, to farming to stuffed animals, plants in the greenhouse, and even a couple of skeletons, this museum has so much to see and intereting stories to tell of the past.
🛝 THE PLAY AREA The play area close to the cafe is perfect for little ones to play while you can sit by and chill out if you like. You will find climbing equipment, a slide is currently and a few other things.
✈️ ARE YOU A PLANE SPOTTER? If you love plane spotting this is an excellent place to spot them. The planes from Luton Airport will be flying over regularly.
😋 FANCY LUNCH?
If you wanted to go out for just lunch Stockwood Discovery Centre has a cafe serving food and drinks with indoor and outdoor seating. You can see the menu on the pics below. Alternatively you can also take a picnic in the tranquill gardens with plenty of space for the little ones (or big ones) to run around or just take a book, and enjoy the surroundings.
WHAT DOES IT HAVE TO OFFER?
✅️ Free museum ✅️ Interesting Artifacts
✅️ Scenic gardens
✅️ Play park
✅️ Cafe
✅️ Shop
✅️ Wheelchair accessible
✅️ Accessible toilets ✅️ Free parking
THANK YOU... We absolutely love Stockwood Discovery Centre, a gem in Bedfordshire which has so much to offer. The volunteers devote so much time to make this a wonderful place to visit for everyone and we can see and appreciate all the hard work they really do. We spent a couple of hours here but you could easily spend half a day here at your own pace. We had an amazing day out with friends.
🏖 Whatsupbeds.com on tour! Spontaneity led us to the stunning Milford on Sea—just a quick 30-minute drive from Bournemouth—and what a breathtaking discovery it was! With panoramic views of The Needles, Isle of Wight, this peaceful seaside retreat felt like an unspoiled treasure. Milford on Sea, is a large coastal village and civil parish in the New Forest district, on the Hampshire coast, England, centred about 3 miles south of Lymington.
🌅 Milford on Sea - Stunning views
🐴 On our way through the beautiful New Forest we saw horses on random roads.
If you prefer a quieter, less touristy escape, this is the perfect spot! The pristine, stony beachfront was a dream, offering a refreshing coastal breeze and tranquil surroundings, not to mention the castle and light house.
🚙 CAMPERVANS As you drive down Saltgrass Lane you’ll stumble upon a vibrant scene—campervans lined along the roadside, like a cozy seaside retreat, their owners basking in the open air, sizzling up delicious BBQs. With laid-back joy, it’s the perfect snapshot of coastal relaxation, where good food, great company, and breathtaking views come together. Looking for a hotel instead, no problem! Find me a hotel - click on me!
Motohomes parked up
🏰 HURST CASTLE - ENGLISH HERITAGE 🛥 TWO WAYS TO GET THERE, BOAT OR WALK? Adventure called, and we set off for the castle—an English Heritage site where members enter free. You have two ways to reach it: take the two mile rugged yet scenic stone sea walk or hop on a boat. We opted for the exhilarating half-hour walk on the way there, soaking in the sea air before sailing back for just £5.50pp. A cafe outside the Castle awaits those who venture here. https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/hurst-castle/
🛥 Ferry Boat Ride
🛥 Ferry Boat Ride
📖 THE HISTORY OF HURST CASTLE The castle is maintained by a fourth generation of a local family who also operates the ferry service.
Perched dramatically on the narrow Hurst Spit in Hampshire, Hurst Castle stands as a formidable relic of England’s turbulent past. Constructed between 1541 and 1544 by King Henry VIII, this mighty artillery fort was a crucial link in his ambitious coastal defence system, known as the Device Forts—a network designed to shield England from the looming threats of France and the Holy Roman Empire.
Today, its weathered stone walls whisper tales of Tudor power, military ingenuity, and centuries of coastal defense.
🏰 Hurst Castle
🏰 Views around the Castle area
😍 MILFORD ON SEA VILLAGE GREEN Nestled in the heart of Milford on Sea, this picturesque village green is a true gem, framed by delightful independent boutiques and inviting eateries. Whether you're in the mood for a leisurely lunch or a quick coffee, you’ll find the perfect spot to relax, soak in the atmosphere, and watch the world go by. You will also find the Smugglers Inn pub/restaurant with a play area.
Milford on Sea Village Green
The Smugglers Inn, with a kids play area
🛥 Remote control boat You can have so much fun with these on the overflow sea water (Sturt pond) plenty of places to use it in this area. Click here for a remote control boat
🚤 The Sturt Pond
💯 LOCATION RECOMMENDED The journey, the scenery, and the welcoming boat captain made for an unforgettable experience. Milford on Sea is a true coastal delight waiting to be explored!
💡 Ideas on things to do
✅️ Campervan stop & parking ✅️ Historic attractions ✅️ Scenic ✅️ Restaurants ✅️ Play park ✅️ BBQS allowed ✅️ Peaceful location ✅️ Swimming location ✅️ Dog friendly ✅️ Family friendly 🚫 Not wheelchair accessible
🛎 FANCY A HOTEL? Expedia has some great deals. You can search from low to high in search to find the cheapest deal. Find me a hotel - click on me!
🏡The Panacea Museum is a free beautiful Victorian House to visit in Bedford. Discovering the amazing story of the unique religious community that created its own beautifull Garden of Eden in the centre. A very interesting museum if you haven't visited before. They also have a tea room. 📖 SOME INTERESTING HISTORY ... The Panacea Society, originally called ‘The Community of the Holy Ghost,’ was a mostly female religious group led by Mabel Barltrop, known as ‘Octavia.’ In the 1920s, followers moved to Bedford to live near her, creating a private communal space known as ‘the campus,’ with a central chapel. Operating from Bedford, the Society gained over 2,000 members worldwide, including in Europe, North America, and the British Empire. Members believed in an impending new age—‘the Millennium’—and saw Octavia as part of a prophetic lineage dating back to the late 1700s, a tradition called ‘the Visitation.’ 🅿️ PARKING No parking is available at the Museum, however there is pay and display parking nearby (However when we visited we managed to get a parking space outside the museum on the road which was free)
