In a steep valley in the Chiltern Hills of southern England sits High Wycombe - Buckinghamshire. The location gives the town a special character as it is a mixture of countryside and industry. Many of the industrial and historical buildings have gone but there is still plenty of evidence of the furniture manufacturing for which the town is most famous.

Since the end of the heyday of furniture making the town has been regenerated. Many historic buildings were replaced but the high street still retains a Georgian character. At one end of the street is the Guildhall which is the setting for a very special ceremony. The Weighing of the Mayor dates back to medieval times and is unique in England. Every Mayor is weighed at the start and end of their term and the results are relayed to the people by the town crier. The idea behind it is to see if the Mayor has got fat at the expense of the tax payer.

In the past the town was known as the Capital of Furniture in England. The industry dominated High Wycombe for around a century and caused the population to double in just thirty years from the 1880s. The history of the industry is the main feature of the museum which also houses the Regional Furniture Center. The visitor can see interactive exhibits and examples of the chairs which made the town famous. Even today the nickname of the local football club is the Chairboys.

There are plenty of parks and green spaces around the center of town. The Rye is an area of grassland with a lake for fishing and boating. Hughenden Manor is a few miles away and was the home of the famous Prime Minister Disraeli. His house is now home to a collection of his possessions and papers. West Wycombe Park is also close by and has a beautiful colonnaded stately home set in extensive grounds.

The Chilterns has been designated an area of outstanding natural beauty which is a status similar to that of a national park. The geology of the area is interesting and has driven industry for centuries. The chalk hills are gentle and perfect for walkers. There are a number of long trails such as the Ridgeway

There are lots of well known places to visit on a day around the region. For the family there is Bekonscot Model Village, Whipsnade Safari Park, Legoland and Colne Valley Regional Park. There is also the Royal Windsor Racecourse.

High Wycombe - Buckinghamshire is a place with a fascinating past and a unique character. There are lots of things to see and do in and around the region.