Buckingham Old Gaol | Best day out Bucks

Visit Santa's Grotto

Santa will be welcoming visitors to his grotto on Sunday 7th, 14th, and 21st December, between 10.30am and 3pm. Children can enjoy a magical meeting with Father Christmas for £7.50 per child, while up to three accompanying adults go free.

To make sure you don't miss out, we recommend pre-booking your tickets, available to buy now in the Museum Shop. A limited number of tickets may be available on the day, but cannot be guaranteed.

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.