Bucklebury

In wooded country 400 feet up, and with the attractive River Pang running through its northern section, Bucklebury is a parish of common land and footpaths (it is said to have 160 such paths, more than any other parish). The magnificent avenue of oak trees was said to have been first planted, at least in part, during the reign of Elizabeth Ist with other trees added in honour of the Duke of Marlborough and to celebrate victory at Trafalgar. Several gaps have been filled with more trees in recent times.

The village centres around the parish church (of many periods from Norman onwards), the l8th century rectory, the manor house, mill and foundry. There are modern houses mixed with the older cottages and amenities include the village hall. In Bucklebury is the unusually named Blade Bone Inn. This name comes from the bone of a mammoth found nearby, enclosed in a copper case and hung as the inn sign.