Buckingham - River & Chandos Park

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Spy Mission around Buckingham's river, Chandos Park and historic town streets, with Agents racing to stop Dr Gilda Trinket after she breeds gold-eating beetles and plans to unleash them on Buckingham's Town Hall swan - follow the clues around town to find the code and foil her plan.

The operation covers approximately 2 miles and should take around 2 hours to complete. You'll set off from Cornwalls Meadow car park, investigate riverside walks, streets, parks and paths, cross a bridge, pass through Chandos Park and loop back to Cornwalls Meadow car park.

This Trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. There are some steep hills, plus road crossings, riverside sections, park paths and a bridge crossing, so choose footwear that's ready for a proper agent-on-foot assignment.

Look out for traffic when turning left after the first bridge, and cross roads carefully and cautiously along the route. Keep close watch by the river in Chandos Park as it can flow fast and is deep in places.

Optional detours: you may like to follow Bertie's Walk and/or walk along the dismantled railway across the bridge over the road. To rejoin the Trail from the old railway, exit through Chandos Road car park and carefully cross the road to the corner.

Getting There

By car: Start at Cornwalls Meadow car park (MK18 1RP). This is the recommended parking spot for your spy-mobile. Pay for over two hours parking, and do NOT park in the long term parking area unless you pay for an all day ticket.

By public transport: Make your way to Cornwalls Meadow car park in Buckingham to begin the mission. The circular route loops back to Cornwalls Meadow car park once Dr Gilda Trinket's beetle-based plot has been intercepted.

Need the Loo?

Public toilets are available at Cornwalls Meadow car park and in Chandos Park, giving Agents a comfort-stop option near the start and another during the riverside section.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Agents are welcome to join the mission. 🐾

The route includes streets, road crossings, steep hills, park paths, a bridge crossing and riverside walking. Keep canine recruits close around traffic and take extra care by the river in Chandos Park, where it can flow fast and is deep in places.

Food & Drink Stops

Code-cracking burns through supplies fast, but there are many places along the route to enjoy a meal or buy a snack.

If the weather is nice, Heartlands, Bertie's Walk and Chandos Park are all suggested picnic spots. Heartlands and Chandos Park both have children's play areas too, ideal for Mini Agents with spare energy after all that beetle-busting.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Chandos Park

This riverside park is right on the route and makes a handy longer pause during the mission. It's a suggested picnic spot, has a children's play area and public toilets, and brings you close to the river - just keep a careful watch nearby, as it can flow fast and is deep in places.

Heartlands

Heartlands is another good family stop along the Trail, especially if the sun has reported for duty. It's suggested as a picnic spot and has a children's play area, so Mini Agents can let off steam before returning to the hunt for Dr Gilda Trinket's code.

The Old Gaol

The Old Gaol was built in 1748 as a prison and now houses the Visitor's Centre and a museum telling the story of the town and rural life. Inside, you'll find the Flora Thompson Collection and military exhibits - useful extra intel once the main operation is under control.

Chantry Chapel

Chantry Chapel is the oldest building in Buckingham. It began as a hospital in the 12th century and became a chapel in 1268. Very few buildings in Buckingham date to before the 18th century because a large fire destroyed much of the town in 1725, making this a particularly intriguing survivor for history-hunting Agents.

The Church of St Peter and St Paul

Prominently located in the centre of Buckingham's historic core on Castle Hill, the Church of St Peter and St Paul was built on the site of a former Saxon castle. It was completed in 1781 and remodelled by Sir George Gilbert Scott in the 19th century, and houses a Latin manuscript Bible from 1471.