Description

Aylesbury, the county town of Buckinghamshire, started as a Saxon settlement called Aegel's burgh. By medieval times it had developed into an administrative centre, with its weekly market serving as a focal point for surrounding villages. Over the centuries the main industries were lace and silk making, printing and brewing. Its location on various important routes also led to it becoming a coaching town and, during the nineteenth century, it grew most notably with the arrival of the railway. However, it was in the 1950s that Aylesbury experienced its greatest period of growth when it became an overspill town for London. In this book, author Paul Rabbitts features fifty of the buildings and landmarks in the town to reveal the structures that are a testament to the history and development of Aylesbury. The chosen buildings are drawn from across the centuries and reflect diverse architectural styles and purposes, from educational and entertainment to residential and religious. By exploring Aylesbury's architectural heritage in an engaging and accessible way, the author charts the changing face of the town and the places that have played a significant or surprising role in its history. Illustrated throughout, Aylesbury in 50 Buildings will be of great interest to residents, visitors and local historians.