County Dossier
Buckinghamshire
A frontier shire, born in the struggle with the Danes.
Buckinghamshire is an inland county in the south of England, with the River Thames forming its southern boundary. Along the river are the charming villages of Datchet, Eton, and Taplow, while Slough and its suburbs form a significant urban area.
At a glance
Buckinghamshire at a glance
A frontier shire, born in the struggle with the Danes.
- By 918: 'Buccingahamscire'
- Domesday (1086): Bochehamscire
- Early Mercian territory centred on Buckingham
- Area: 746 sq miles / 1,932 km²
- Population: 916,903
- County top: Haddington Hill 875 ft / 267 m
County Geography
The Thames forms Buckinghamshire’s southern line against Berkshire for much of its length. To the west the county meets Oxfordshire, to the north Northamptonshire, and to the east Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. The Chiltern ridge gives the south a strong internal structure, while the northern vale opens toward the upper river country.
The contrast between river frontage, chalk upland, wooded dip-slope, and open vale gives Buckinghamshire a distinctive composition.
Map Reference
View Buckinghamshire on the map
Buckinghamshire is the county. The map also shows lieutenancies and council areas that use the county name.
The county.
The lieutenancy.
Council areas.
Places and routes
Buckingham, Aylesbury, High Wycombe, Marlow, Beaconsfield, Amersham, Chesham, Eton, Slough, and Milton Keynes all belong to the county’s wider story. Together they show a county of market and coaching centres, riverside settlements, woodland towns, and major modern urban growth.
Names
- Buckinghamshire
- County of Buckingham
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County Reference
Explore Buckinghamshire
Open the map to explore Buckinghamshire, or return to the county index to browse other counties.