Buckinghamshire, often abbreviated as Bucks, is a ceremonial county in South East England. It is bordered by Northamptonshire to the north, Bedfordshire to the northeast, Hertfordshire to the east, Greater London to the southeast, Berkshire to the south, and Oxfordshire to the west.[1] The county covers an area of approximately 1,874 square kilometers (724 square miles).[1] The largest settlement in Buckinghamshire is the city of Milton Keynes, while the county town is Aylesbury.[1]
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Buckinghamshire: landscape, industry, agricultures, and attractionsBuckinghamshire: landscape, industry, agricultures, and attractions
Buckinghamshire’s landscape is diverse, featuring the Chiltern Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which occupies the southern part of the county. The Chilterns are known for their rolling hills, beech woodlands, and picturesque villages.[2] The Vale of Aylesbury, a fertile lowland area, lies to the north of the Chilterns.[3]
The county’s economy is predominantly service-based, with many national companies having head offices or major centers in Milton Keynes. Heavy industry and quarrying are limited, with agriculture playing a significant role. Buckinghamshire is also known for its high-tech industries, including TV and film production, high-performance engineering, and MedTech.[4]
Mining activities in Buckinghamshire are limited. Historically, the county has seen quarrying for chalk, clay for brickmaking, and gravel and sand in the river valleys.[5] Flint was also extracted from quarries and used in local building construction.[6]
Agriculture remains an important part of Buckinghamshire’s economy. The county’s farms produce a variety of crops, including wheat, fruits, and plants. Livestock farming, particularly grazing livestock, is also prevalent.[7]
Buckinghamshire offers a range of attractions for visitors. Bletchley Park the historic site of the World War II codebreakers. Waddesdon Manor is a stunning 19th-century estate built by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild. The Roald Dahl Museum is located in Great Missenden, celebrating the life and works of the famous author. Cliveden House is a beautiful stately home with extensive gardens. Bekonscot Model Village is the world’s oldest model village.
Buckinghamshire historyBuckinghamshire history
Human settlement in Buckinghamshire dates back to into the Paleolithic and Mesolithic times. Settlement began in the area that was to become Milton Keynes around 2000 BCE, mainly in the valleys of the rivers Ouse and Ouzel.[8] Flint tools from the Middle Stone Age and burial sites from the Bronze Age have been discovered in the area.[9] Buckinghamshire was formed from about 200 communities that could between them fund a castle in Buckingham, to defend against invading Danes.[10] The name itself means ‘the district (scire) of Bucca’s home’ – Bucca’s home referring to Buckingham, the name for an Anglo-Saxon landowner.[10] The Roman influence in Buckinghamshire is most evident in the roads that cross the county, such as Watling Street and Akeman Street. These roads were important trade routes linking London with other parts of Roman Britain.[11] The Romans also utilized older routes like the Icknield Way. There is very little evidence for any Roman forts in Buckinghamshire, with only a few possible examples, such as that suggested at Fleet Marston just outside Aylesbury on the line of Akeman Street.
The Anglo-Saxons had a significant impact on Buckinghamshire, giving many places their names and shaping the county’s layout. Early Saxon settlements were small, often consisting of a few houses. Notable sites include Walton, just south of Aylesbury, where several early Saxon houses were excavated.[12] The period also saw the establishment of fortified towns, or burhs, such as Buckingham.[12] The 18th century saw Buckinghamshire experiencing both decline and growth. After a disastrous fire, much of Buckingham’s center had to be rebuilt.[13] The county also saw the introduction of straw-plaiting, which became a significant industry on the eastern side.[14]
The 19th century brought significant changes to Buckinghamshire. The county was hit by cholera and famine, forcing many to migrate to larger towns for work. Industrial activities included chair-making in High Wycombe, boat-building on the Thames, and brick-making.[14] The introduction of railways also played a crucial role in the county’s development.[14] Currently, Buckinghamshire is a blend of rural and suburban areas, with excellent road and rail links to London.[15] The county has seen an increase in immigration, with a significant number of residents born outside the UK. Immigrants come from various countries, including Commonwealth nations and EU member states.[16]
Buckinghamshire parishes and unparished areasBuckinghamshire parishes and unparished areas
Buckinghamshire, England has 221 civil parishes. Buckinghamshire also has 142 town and parish councils and 29 parish meetings.
The Buckinghamshire administrative, geographic, and historic counties encompass slightly different areas. The administrative county comprises four districts: Aylesbury Vale, Chiltern, South Bucks, and Wycombe. The geographic county also includes the unitary authority of Milton Keynes. The historic county encompasses the entire geographic county as well as the unitary authority of Slough, the part of the unitary authority of Windsor and Maidenhead that is north of the Thames, and the town of Linslade, which lies in South Bedfordshire district in the administrative county of Bedfordshire. Aylesbury is the county town (seat).[15]
Buckinghamshire geographyBuckinghamshire geography
Buckinghamshire County is dominated by the Chiltern Hills,[17] a range of chalk hills that runs through the southern part. These hills offer stunning views and are popular for hiking and cycling.[18] To the north of the Chilterns lies the Vale of Aylesbury, a fertile agricultural plain known for its rich clay soils. The River Thames forms part of Buckinghamshire's southern border, providing opportunities for boating and water sports.[19] The historic Grand Union Canal passes through the county, offering scenic waterways for leisure activities.[20] Buckinghamshire also has several forests, including Burnham Beeches and Wendover Woods, which provide opportunities for walking, nature observation, and wildlife spotting.
Research family history in BuckinghamshireResearch family history in Buckinghamshire
The Buckinghamshire Archives and Local History Library holds a wealth of records, some dating back 800 years. The Family History Department of Milton Keynes City Council has some useful family history resources. The Buckinghamshire Council also had online resources for parish registers, wills, and local history. The Buckinghamshire Record Office and High Wycombe Public Library is available from the The National Archives. The Buckinghamshire Family History Society has databases and operates the Centre for Buckinghamshire Studies.
Ethnicities in BuckinghamshireEthnicities in Buckinghamshire
The demographic distribution of the Buckinghamshire population is as follows:[21]
72.6% of people in Buckinghamshire are white (English, Welsh, Scottish, Northern Irish or British) vs. 74.4% nationally (Census 2021).
- White other: 7.3% (includes white minority groups such a Roma and travellers)
- All non-white diverse ethnic groups – 20.1%
- Other ethnic groups: 1.6%
- Mixed ethnic groups: 3.5%
- Black: 2.6% (nationally 2.5%)
- Asian: 12.4% (9.3% nationally)
Surnames in Buckinghamshire[22]Surnames in Buckinghamshire[22]
Explore more about English CountiesExplore more about English Counties
MyHeritage.com has 351 collections that contain millions of English records that cover a huge variety of genealogical historical events that can help you find your ancestors. The MyHeritage Knowledge Base contains helpful information about genealogical research. The Legacy Family Tree Webinars website contains more than 2000 valuable genealogical webinars including over 50 webinars about English research.
See alsoSee also
- English genealogy
- English immigration
- English emigration
- English archives
- England historical records
- Vital records in England
- Birth records in England
- Death records in England
- Marriage records in England
- Census records in England
- Civil registrations in England
- Church records in England
- Newspaper records in England
- English military records
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Map of Buckinghamshire - Visit South East England
- ↑ Our landscape
- ↑ History of the Chilterns │ Buckinghamshire
- ↑ Buckinghamshire Economic Report 2024
- ↑ Karst Areas of Great Britain: Buckinghamshire
- ↑ Flint mines - Buckinghamshire's Heritage Portal
- ↑ Agricultural facts: South East (including London) region
- ↑ Archaeology in the Milton Keynes District - Stone Age
- ↑ Geology: Flint in Bucks
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Buckinghamshire history and heritage
- ↑ The Roman period - Buckinghamshire's Heritage Portal
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 The Saxon period - Buckinghamshire's Heritage Portal
- ↑ DISCOVER BUCKINGHAM
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Historical Summary | British History Online
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Buckinghamshire | England, Map, & Facts | Britannica
- ↑ How has immigration changed in your area?
- ↑ Chiltern Hills | Woodland, Wildlife, Beechwood | Britannica
- ↑ Buckinghamshire: Where old and new sit side-by-side
- ↑ Salter Steamers Ltd - Marlow - Boat Trip in Marlow, Buckinghamshire - Visit Thames
- ↑ Grand Union Canal - Natural Feature in Milton Keynes, Milton Keynes - Visit South East England
- ↑ Ethnicity
- ↑ Most Common Surnames in Buckinghamshire, With Meanings