Outdoors, Parks, and Nature in the Aylesbury Vale
The Aylesbury Vale is bounded by The Chilterns Hills to the south, and the River Great Ouse in North Buckinghamshire. Despite our town being ever-expanding, there are a great many opportunities to get out and be with nature. From walking in the fields on the edge of town to taking a short bus ride to a Nature Reserve or Area of Outstanding Natural beauty. A walk around my local park always makes a good break from the laptop screen. The Aylesbury Arm of The Grand Union Canal begins in the town centre and runs for just over 6 miles before meeting the wider Grand Union which stretches for 137 miles from Central London to Birmingham.


Swans, Ducks, Moorhens, and the occasional Canada Geese, Cormorants and the elusive Kingfisher can all be spotted along the towpath of the canal. In the fields out-skirting Aylesbury you can see a variety of wildflowers, wildlife, and farm animals; Rabbits, Owls, Horses, Sheep, Cows, and more birds than I can identify. Much of the wildlife such as Foxes, Badgers, and Hedgehogs come out mostly at night, though can sometimes be seen in the early morning or at dusk.
The Chiltern Hills are a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A chalk escarpment with The Ridgeway National Trail starting at Ivinghoe Beacon.
If you want to get up close to farm animals such as Alpacas, Horses, Donkeys, and more, why not give Animal Antiks in North Marston a try? With Animal Encounters, Alpaca Walks, and Mini Farmer Experiences on offer. Or Abbots View Alpaca Walks is another popular experience in Aston Abbotts. The Bucks Goat Centre is nearer town in Stoke Mandeville.

News
Bucks. Berks. & Ox. Wildlife Trust
- New Government targets could mean less wildlife in future 18/05/2022BBOWT urges people to take action for nature now.
- BBOWT reserve gets £260,000 to regenerate habitats 16/05/2022New trees will be planted and new pond created with funding from National Highways.
- Can you do one wild thing every day for a month? 10/05/2022Reconnecting with nature can make us happier and healthier
- BBOWT nature reserve dedicated to The Queen 03/05/2022Woodland is crowned an Ancient Canopy to honour Platinum Jubilee.
Useful links
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- The Countryside Code - gov.uk
- Bucks. Beds. & Ox. Wildlife Trust
- Environment at Buckinghamshire Council
- St Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital
- The Ridgeway National Trail
- The Chilterns IPA (Important Plant Area) - Plantlife
- Chilterns AONB
- Join the Chiltern Rangers
- Buckinghamshire’s Nature - Bucks & MK Nature Partnership
- The Chiltern Society