A large and diverse collection of motor vehicles, from 1900 to 1990. Well worth a look if you are interested in viewing a large car collection.
They also have a full size replica of Captain Cook’s exploration ship “Endeavor”. The replica, designed to “enable children today the unique experience of seeing life as it was on these primitive ships”, is constructed of sheet plywood, and does not replicate the full hull depth. So if you are expecting a replica of authentic frame and plank construction, looking ready to put to sea, this isn’t it.
Category: South-east
Location
Stowe Parish Church
The Vyne, Hampshire
National Trust.
An impressive house, originally built as an Elizabethan “power house.” Notable are interesting contents, and the impressive Long Gallery. I remember that I much enjoyed visiting this house. There are also extensive grounds and a lake. Suggested visit time: half day.
Thurleigh Airfield, Beds
Home of the 306th Bombardment Group Museum. This small museum is worth a visit if you are a military aviation or history buff. My elderly mother enjoyed it. Suggested visit time: 1 hr.
The runways still exist, if the satellite view is any guide, but the former airfield is occupied partly by the Jonathan Palmer motor racing site, and an industrial park.
Twinwood Airfield and Museum, Beds.
This is the airfield from which Glenn Miller departed before his disappearance. Wartime buldings remain on the site, and house the Glenn Miller Museum and other small museums devoted to aviation, militaria, old vehicles and the Fire service. The wartime runways have reverted to agriculture. Enough to keep airplane and history buffs amused for half a day.
West Wycombe Hellfire Caves
Below the hill are the Hellfire Caves (not NT), now refurbished as a tourist attraction. Possibly of ancient origin, they were extended by Sir Francis Dashwood to embellish his estate, and extend underground for about half a mile. If you like exploring holes in the ground you should enjoy them.
West Wycombe Park, Bucks
National Trust
Visited c.2005, revisited 2024
Extensive and attractive grounds with large lake and follies. The house interior has a number of opulent rooms on the ground floor with painted ceilings, fine furniture, paintings, and objets d’art. Note that the opening dates and hours are rather restricted. Suggested visit time 2hrs. No imaging permitted inside the house.
The estate was owned by the Dashwoods, one of whom was a founder-member of the Hellfire Club, whose naughty activities were no doubt exaggerated by political opponents.
Village, Hill, Church, Mausoleum, and Caves (not NT) are nearby if you have a whole day.
West Wycombe Village and Hill
National Trust. Visited. C.2005 The village main street is lined with old cottages and inns of architectural interest.
You can drive to the top of the hill if a steep and lengthy climb does not appeal. On top of the hill are the church with the golden ball on top of it (not NT), and beyond it the Dashwood Mausoleum (not NT) Both are well worth a visit.
The Mausoleum is a large and striking affair. The interior can be mostly seen from the churchyard, but a better view can be found by walking around the outside of the churchyard to reach the Mausoleum entrance with its gate and classical pillars. The interior walls are lined with niches containing funerary urns. Revisited August 2024
