High Wycombe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids High Wycombe |
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| Town | |
 High Wycombe Guildhall, High Street |
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 Coat of arms of High Wycombe. Motto: Industria ditat (Industry enriches) |
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 High Wycombe
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| Population | 75,814 |
| OS grid reference | SU867929 |
| Unitary authority |
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| Shire county |
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| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | HIGH WYCOMBE |
| Postcode district | HP10-15 |
| Dialling code | 01494 |
| EU Parliament | South East England |
| UK Parliament |
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High Wycombe, often called Wycombe, is a busy market town in Buckinghamshire, England. It sits in the valley of the River Wye, surrounded by the beautiful Chiltern Hills. The town is about 29 miles (47 km) west-northwest of Charing Cross in London. It is also near other important towns like Aylesbury, Oxford, and Reading.
In 2021, the built-up area of High Wycombe had a population of 127,856 people. This makes it the largest town in Buckinghamshire. The wider urban area, which includes nearby communities, has a population of 140,684. High Wycombe has had a market on its High Street since the Middle Ages. Today, you can still find the market open on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
Contents
- History of High Wycombe
- Modern High Wycombe
- Weather in High Wycombe
- Population of High Wycombe
- How High Wycombe is Governed
- Education in High Wycombe
- Media and News
- Famous People from High Wycombe
- Local Media
- Getting Around High Wycombe
- Things to See and Do
- Industries in High Wycombe
- Local Attractions
- Recreation and Sports
- Housing in High Wycombe
- Sports in High Wycombe
- Nearby Places
- Twin Town
- Images for kids
- See also
History of High Wycombe
How Old is High Wycombe?
High Wycombe has a very long history. A Roman villa was built here around 150–170 AD. Parts of it, like Mosaics and a bathhouse, have been found in the Rye parkland. The town's name, "Wycombe," likely comes from the River Wye and an old English word for a wooded valley, "combe." However, some experts think it means "dwellings."
The town was first mentioned as 'Wicumun' in 970. Its parish church was officially opened in 1086. High Wycombe became a borough (a town with special rights) by the 1180s. It built its first meeting hall in 1226 and a market hall in 1476. By 1841, the town had 3,184 residents.
High Wycombe's Industries and Growth
For many years, High Wycombe was a mill town. During Medieval and Tudor times, it made lace and linen cloth. It was also a popular stop for travelers going between Oxford and London. Many stayed in the town's inns.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, paper making became important. The River Wye had chalky water, which was perfect for bleaching paper pulp. However, the cloth industry soon became even bigger.
High Wycombe became most famous for making furniture, especially Windsor chairs, in the 19th century. Factories opened all over town. Many small houses were built for the factory workers. By 1875, it's thought that 4,700 chairs were made in High Wycombe every day! When Queen Victoria visited in 1877, the town council even built an arch of chairs over the High Street for her to pass under. The Wycombe Museum shows many examples of these local chairs and tells the story of the furniture and lace industries.
The town grew a lot, from 13,000 people in 1881 to 29,000 in 1928. The furniture industry was very important to the town's life and economy.
High Wycombe in the 20th Century
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By the 1920s, some parts of Wycombe had become run-down. In 1932, the council started a plan to clear these areas. Many old houses were knocked down, and people moved to new housing estates on the hills around the town. Some areas were in very bad condition, but others had beautiful old buildings.
From 1940 to 1968, High Wycombe was home to the RAF Bomber Command. During World War II, the U.S. Army Air Force's 8th Air Force Bomber Command was also based here.
In the 1960s, the town center was rebuilt. Many old buildings were removed. The River Wye was covered over with concrete between 1965 and 1967. Two shopping centers, the Octagon and the Chilterns', were built, along with new car parks, office buildings, and roundabouts.
Modern High Wycombe
High Wycombe has many different areas, or suburbs. These include Booker, Castlefield, Cressex, and Totteridge. Some nearby villages like Hazlemere and Tylers Green are also considered part of the town. While Buckinghamshire is a wealthy county, some parts of Wycombe have areas with more challenges.
The town has seen a lot of new building work. The existing shopping center was improved, and the large Eden Shopping Centre was completed. Buckinghamshire New University also got new buildings and a student village. These changes led to more flats, a new hotel, and a Sainsbury's supermarket.
Weather in High Wycombe
High Wycombe has a typical British climate. The warmest month is usually July, with average high temperatures around 21.6°C (70.9°F). The coldest month is January, with average low temperatures around 1.8°C (35.2°F). The town gets a good amount of rain throughout the year, with November often being the wettest month.
Population of High Wycombe
The population of High Wycombe changes depending on how you define the town's area. The town itself, without its suburbs, had about 77,178 people. If you include Hazlemere, the population is around 92,300. The larger "High Wycombe urban area," which includes the town and some surrounding communities, had a population of 133,204 in 2011. This was a 13% increase from 2001.
According to the 2011 census, most people in the Wycombe area were White British (67.2%). The next largest group was Pakistanis (11.8%). Most people were Christians (52.3%), while 24% said they had no religion, and 13.4% were Muslim. Wycombe is also home to the largest group of people from Saint Vincent in the UK.
How High Wycombe is Governed
Wycombe's Political History
Wycombe has a long political history, going back to 1295. The area has often elected Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Conservative Party. However, in May 2024, the Labour Party won the election.
High Wycombe has been home to two Prime Ministers:
- William Petty, 2nd Earl of Shelburne: He lived at what is now Wycombe Abbey and was an MP for the town.
- Benjamin Disraeli: He lived at nearby Hughenden Manor. He tried to become an MP for Wycombe three times in the 1830s before winning in 1868. Disraeli gave his first political speech in Wycombe, from the Red Lion Hotel.
The town was also in the area represented by John Hampden. He was an important MP and military leader during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms in the 1600s. The current MP for the town is Emma Reynolds from the Labour Party.
Weighing the Mayor
A unique tradition in High Wycombe is the "weighing of the mayor." This ceremony has been happening since 1678. At the start and end of their year in office, the mayor is weighed in front of everyone. This is to see if they have gained weight, perhaps at the public's expense! The same weighing machine has been used since the 1800s. When the weight is known, the town crier announces "And no more!" if the mayor hasn't gained weight, or "And some more!" if they have. The actual weight is kept secret.
Education in High Wycombe
Buckinghamshire is one of the few counties in England that still uses a selective education system. This means that students in their last year of primary school take an exam called the 11+ exam. Their score on this exam helps decide if they go to a grammar school or a secondary modern school.
Primary Schools
High Wycombe has many primary schools, including:
- Ash Hill Combined School
- Beechview Junior School
- Booker Hill Combined School
- Castlefield Combined School
- Chepping View Combined School
- Hamilton Academy
- Hannah Ball School
- Highworth Combined School & Nursery
- High Wycombe Church of England Combined School
- Kings Wood Combined School
- Marsh Infants School
- Millbrook Combined School
- Oakridge Combined School
- St Michael's Catholic School (which also has a secondary section)
- The Disraeli Combined School and Children's Centre
- West Wycombe Combined School
Secondary Schools
The secondary schools in High Wycombe are:
- Cressex Community School
- Highcrest Academy
- John Hampden Grammar School
- St Michael's Catholic School
- Royal Grammar School
- Wycombe High School
- Sir William Ramsay School
- Holmer Green Senior School
Independent Schools
There are also several independent (private) schools:
- Crown House School
- Godstowe Preparatory School
- Pipers Corner School
- Wycombe Abbey
- Wycombe Preparatory School
- The Chalfonts Independent Grammar School
Further and Higher Education
Buckinghamshire College Group is a college located near High Wycombe. It also has campuses in Aylesbury and Amersham. High Wycombe is home to the main campus of Buckinghamshire New University. It's in the town center and used to be the High Wycombe College of Art and Technology. It became a university in 2007.
Media and News
High Wycombe has been in the news for various reasons. For example, there were reports about a local library's decision not to display a Christmas carol service poster. The town also saw increased police activity in 2006 related to national security investigations. During these events, a no-flight zone was put in place over the town, and some houses were evacuated as a safety measure. Police searched nearby woodlands, finding various items.
In December 2009, heavy snowfall caused major problems for the town's roads, especially on the steep hills. This led to disruptions and even some people being stranded overnight at a department store, which was reported on national news.
Famous People from High Wycombe
Many well-known people have lived in or have connections to High Wycombe:
Entertainment and Media
- Colin Baker – an actor who played the Sixth Doctor in Doctor Who.
- Noel Fielding and Dave Brown – stars of Mighty Boosh, who met at Bucks New University in Wycombe.
- Jimmy Carr – a famous comedian and TV presenter.
- James Corden – a well-known actor, writer, and TV personality.
- Theo James – an actor.
- Howard Jones – a musician.
- Aaron Taylor-Johnson – an actor.
- Leigh-Anne Pinnock – a singer and actress, known from Little Mix.
- Terry Pratchett – a famous author, who worked as a journalist in the town.
Sports Stars
- Matt Dawson – a retired rugby player who won the Rugby World Cup with England in 2003.
- Luke Donald – a former world number one golfer.
- Isa Guha – a former cricketer who won the Women's World Cup with England.
- Nicola Sanders – an Olympic bronze medal winner in track and field.
- Christian Wade – a former rugby and American football player.
Other Notable People
- Heston Blumenthal – a celebrity chef.
- Benjamin Disraeli – a 19th-century Prime Minister.
- Eric Gill – a sculptor and print maker.
- Karl Popper – a philosopher.
- Jean Shrimpton – a supermodel.
Local Media
For news and entertainment, High Wycombe receives television signals from the Crystal Palace. Local radio stations include BBC Three Counties Radio and Wycombe Sound. The town's local newspaper is the Bucks Free Press.
Getting Around High Wycombe
Road Travel
The main motorway near High Wycombe is the M40. It has two exits for the town. Junction 4 is a big interchange that connects the M40 with the A404, which goes to the M4 motorway. Other important roads include the A404 to Marlow and Amersham, and the A40 to Beaconsfield and Oxford.
Bus Services
The High Wycombe Eden bus station is served by local bus companies like Redline Buses and Carousel Buses. You can travel to places like Reading, Slough, Aylesbury, and Heathrow Airport. The town also has a Park and Ride facility in Cressex, which takes you to the town center.
Coach Services
Coach services, like The Airline operated by Oxford Bus Company, connect Oxford to Heathrow and Gatwick airports, stopping at the Handy Cross Hub near High Wycombe.
Train Travel
High Wycombe has a train station on the Chiltern Main Line. Chiltern Railways operates services from London Marylebone to places like Aylesbury, Oxford, and Birmingham. Express trains can get you to London in about 23 minutes. The station is the busiest in South Buckinghamshire.
An older railway line, the Wycombe Railway, used to run from High Wycombe to Maidenhead. However, part of it was closed in 1970.
Air Travel
Heathrow Airport is the closest international airport. Wycombe Air Park, on the edge of town, is popular for learning pilots and gliders.
Things to See and Do
High Wycombe has two main shopping centers: the Eden Centre and the Chilterns Centre. The High Street has many old buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. You can see the High Wycombe Guildhall, built in 1757, and the small, octagonal Cornmarket, known as the Pepper Pot. The large All Saints parish church was founded in 1086.
The Wycombe Swan is a large theater that hosts many shows. In 2008, the new Eden Shopping Centre opened. It has 107 shops, restaurants, a bowling alley, and a cinema. This development was a big step in improving the town.
To the east of the town center is the large Rye park, with the River Wye flowing through it. The Rye Lido, an outdoor swimming pool, reopened in 2011 after being closed for a while. The Wycombe Museum, located on Priory Avenue, tells the story of the town, especially its chair-making industry.
The town also has many pubs and bars. The old Wycombe Summit was once the largest dry ski slope in England, but it was destroyed in a fire.
Hughenden Manor is a beautiful house near High Wycombe. It was home to Benjamin Disraeli for 30 years in the 1800s. It's now open to the public as a historical attraction.
A landmark statue of a red lion sits above a former shop on the High Street. It reminds people of the old Red Lion Hotel. Another old landmark is the ruins of the Hospital of St John the Baptist, High Wycombe, which dates back to the 12th century. The ancient Desborough Castle site is also nearby.
Industries in High Wycombe
High Wycombe was once famous for making chairs and furniture. This is why the town's football team is called the 'Chairboys'. Furniture design is still an important part of the university's courses. The River Wye runs through the valley, where beech trees were cut down for the chair industry.
Other industries in the town include making paper, precision instruments, clothing, and plastics. Many of these businesses are in the Cressex industrial area. Two large companies there are Swan (which makes tobacco papers and filters) and Verco (office furniture).
The town's motto, Industria ditat, means "Industry enriches." This motto shows the importance of industry to High Wycombe's past.
Local Attractions
- St. Lawrence's Church
- Dashwood Mausoleum
- Odds Farm Park
- Disraeli Monument
- Wycombe Wanderers F. C. (football club)
- Bradenham Manor House
- Chiltern Hills
- High Wycombe Chair Making Museum
- Hughenden Manor
- Hellfire Caves
- West Wycombe Park
- Wycombe Museum
Recreation and Sports
Aviation Activities
Wycombe Air Park, also known as Booker Airfield, is home to Booker Gliding Club and two flying schools. Many replica aircraft used in movies were built and flown from here. It's one of the busiest general aviation airfields in the UK.
Leisure Facilities
Hollywell Mead, an outdoor swimming pool in the Rye Park, closed for a while but reopened in 2012 after a £2 million investment. It now has a new gym and improved tennis courts.
A large leisure centre is located on Marlow Hill. It has many sports facilities, including an Olympic-size swimming pool. The old leisure center closed in 2015, and a new one opened in January 2016.
Housing in High Wycombe
High Wycombe has a mix of housing. There are large council estates built in the 1930s, 1950s, and 1960s that spread up the valley sides. There are also older Victorian houses in the bottom of the valley. The Amersham Hill area is known for its large, older properties and tree-lined streets. Recently, more blocks of flats have been built on former industrial sites.
Sports in High Wycombe
Football
The town's football team is Wycombe Wanderers, founded in 1887. They play at Adams Park. The team is nicknamed the 'Chairboys' because of the town's furniture industry. They have been part of the English Football League since 1993. They have had successful runs in cup competitions and have been promoted several times. Their current manager is Matt Bloomfield.
Rugby
The Wasps rugby union team also played their home games at Adams Park from 2002 to 2014.
Cricket
High Wycombe Cricket Club is an amateur cricket club with a long history dating back to 1823. They have won many championships, including 9 Home Counties Premier Cricket League titles. The club has five senior teams and a junior training section.
Nearby Places
High Wycombe is close to several other towns and villages:
- Amersham (7 miles or 11 km)
- Aylesbury (17 miles or 27 km)
- Beaconsfield (5 miles or 8 km)
- Marlow (4 miles or 6 km)
- Maidenhead (9 miles or 14 km)
- Oxford (26 miles or 42 km)
- Reading (23 miles or 37 km)
Twin Town
High Wycombe is twinned with:
- Kelkheim, Germany
Images for kids
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River Wye near Wooburn Industrial Estate
See also
In Spanish: High Wycombe para niños
