Things to do around High Wycombe
Things to do around High Wycombe
Between studying, part-time jobs and any other responsibilities you may have as a student, it’s crucial to take time for yourself to rest, relax and have fun. No matter your interests, hobbies or budget, High Wycombe and the surrounding areas have plenty of fun activities to enjoy. Join me on this list as I take you through some of the best things to do and see here in your university town!
Take a hike
High Wycombe is nestled in the Chiltern Hills, a certified Area of Natural Beauty - surrounded by rolling hills and peaceful fields, there’s so much to discover! Walk approximately an hour west and you’ll find the historical village of West Wycombe - home to the iconic Dashwood Mausoleum, the resting place of a local family of unconventional aristocrats who founded the famous Hellfire Club - yes, that’s the one referenced in Stranger Things! It’s free to hike to the top of the hill and admire the panoramic views from the top, but if you’re looking for something extra, why not check out the Hellfire Caves - an underground network of catacombs and tunnels used by the Club to host their secret meetings and wild parties. Students receive a 15% discount on entry when they bring their ID cards.
Walk about half an hour north from the town centre, following Hughenden Road, and you’ll discover Hughenden Park. Surrounding Hughenden Manor (a National Trust Property), the park itself is free to enter and with 25 hectares of grassy fields, tree-lined paths and one of the clearest chalk streams in England, it’s the perfect place to have a picnic with your mates, cool off in the summer or just take a pleasant walk. It feels a world away from the busy town centre.
…or take a bike!
If you'd rather go on wheels to these lovely places, you're in luck! The student's union offers a bike rental service - the only requirement is a £40 cash deposit for security, but you will get it back when the bike is returned safely, making this service technically free! As well as this, High Wycombe has many cycle trails around it that are easily accessible and suitable for all difficulty levels - from the challenging Chilterns Cycleway circuit that passes through West Wycombe on to scenic Marlow and Henley to the more relaxed Keep Hill Woods pathway and the Rye, it's a great opportunity to keep fit and make the most of the great outdoors. Don't forget your helmet!
Visit a museum
Museums are so wonderful, crammed to the brim with interesting facts and many different items with fascinating stories behind them. Luckily, High Wycombe is home to a museum of its own!
Wycombe Town Museum is just five minutes away from the train station. This museum showcases High Wycombe’s proud chairmaking heritage with a wide collection of furniture made locally by skilled craftspeople. Currently there is a great exhibit on the history of Wycombe over time through photography and writing, showing until March 2026. But that’s not all - it also houses paintings, photography and modern art by locals, and has a beautiful garden and cafe to enjoy. The best part is that admission is free to all! Wycombe Museum is open Tuesday to Friday and on Sunday.
There are also many fabulous museums around High Wycombe! A short train ride will take you to the beautiful city of Oxford, home to the Ashmolean Museum. With free entry and a huge collection of items from ancient artefacts to modern art, it is well worth a visit. Aylesbury, north of High Wycombe, houses the Discover Bucks county museum - documenting the history of Buckinghamshire and its residents. There is a small entry fee, but if you pay for an annual ticket (£15) you can return free for a year and enjoy a 10% discount in the shops and cafe. If you are a student with children, you can also benefit from the adjacent Roald Dahl Children's Gallery - an interactive exhibition and playspace perfect for young children and toddlers. This area of the museum is free to enter.
And of course, High Wycombe is just a half-hour train ride away from London, the UK’s bustling capital! With a huge selection of free museums and art galleries to visit, there is bound to be something for you there. Many museums like the V&A also give students discounts on ticketed exhibitions, so be sure to take advantage of those. It is the perfect place to gain inspiration for your essay writing or portfolios!
See a show at the Wycombe Swan
The Wycombe Swan is High Wycombe’s very own theatre, showing the very best of both local and national touring shows. In past years, it’s had everything from The Woman In Black to Bat Out of Hell and even interactive experiences like drag shows and murder mystery dinner parties - there’s bound to be something for you. And the best part is that Bucks’ Students Union offers the chance to get a ticket to a show for free! That’s right - just keep your eyes out on the What’s On page and see if there’s tickets going for a show you like that’s coming up. But be quick - they get reserved fast. The Students Union also offers free tickets to shows at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, with transport provided. So if you fancy a night of drama and delight, look no further!
Take advantage of the Student Union's recreational activities!
I couldn't finish this article without mentioning all the wonderful work that our Students' Union does to provide fantastic opportunities for all students to save money and have fun! From go-karting to gardens, from theme parks to theatre shows, trips to local places of interest and even sports or skill workshops, we have it all. And the best part - it's all FREE as part of the Big Deal. There is a whole plethora of trips out and activities to suit all tastes, so go on - give it a try and make new friends!
