Buckingham Old Gaol | Best day out Bucks

An Intriguing Evening with Retired Scotland Yard Superintendent Stephen Parker ...

Wednesday 4 November 2026, 7pm to 9pm. Stephen Parker takes us into the murky world of murder and mayhem, with real-life stories including crime scene photos. Tickets are £10 per person, including a glass of wine. Over 18s only. Tickets are on sale in the museum shop. Enquiries: 01280 823020.

The Intelligence Zone: the Many Voices of Bletchley Park

Friday 6 November 2026, 7pm to 9pm. A talk by local author Alan Biggins about MI6's secret wartime broadcasting stations in the local hills. It is a tale of generals, spies and saboteurs, revealing how our area has always been at the forefront of communications and intrigue. Tickets are £10, available from the museum shop.

Remembrance Sunday at Buckingham Old Gaol Museum

Sunday 8 November 2026. Free entry. View the museum's collection and a special exhibition of World War II items to celebrate Remembrance Sunday.

Do some Time in the Old Gaol ...

Explore the cells where poachers, drunks and even the odd murderer were locked away.
(We promise we won't lock you in!)

Can you guess how one prisoner escaped over the wall of the exercise yard?

The Highs (and Lows) of Local History

Rogues and royalty.

National crisis and domestic drama.

War, fire, and funny things going on in the night: Buckingham has seen it all.

What forgotten treasures were left behind to tell the tale?

Magnificent Women of Buckingham

Queen Katherine of Aragon.
Queen Victoria.
Medical pioneer Florence Nightingale.
Author Flora Thompson.
Numerous women, from the top of society to the bottom, made their mark on Buckingham. Find out how.

Buried Treasure!

Since Saxon times, Buckingham had the privilege of hosting a royal mint.
Inspect coins from the £1.35m Lenborough Hoard, as well as our rare Half-Angel coin unearthed in 2021 within two miles of the Old Gaol.

William Paragreen of Bufflers Holt was sentenced to two months imprisonment for taking a hare from a trap.

One in three prisoners at the Old Gaol was a poacher.

Check out the Grimsdale Chronicles
Dive into the history of Buckingham! Allow local historian Ed Grimsdale to guide you through fascinating tales of our town and gaol. Go back in time.