Editing High Wycombe (section)

==Facilities and places of interest==
[[File:wycombesnowday.jpg|thumb|High Wycombe town centre covered by snow in February 2007]]
[[File:Holywell Mead swimming pool.jpg|thumb|High Wycombe, Holywell Mead swimming pool, closed 2009 and reopened 2011]]
[[File:Highwycombefromriver.JPG|thumb|The Dyke, with the Rye beyond]]
[[File:Eden Centre, High Wycombe.jpg|thumb|High Wycombe Eden Centre in 2007]]

There are two shopping centres: the [[Eden, High Wycombe|Eden Centre]] which spreads from the High Street under the Abbey Way flyover to the south of the A40; and the Chilterns Centre, which is located between Queen's Square and Frogmoor to the north.
The High Street ([[Pedestrian zone|pedestrianised]] in the early 1990s) has a number of 18th and 19th century buildings, and ends at the colonnaded [[High Wycombe Guildhall|Guildhall]] that was built in 1757 by [[Henry Keene (architect)|Henry Keene]], funded by the [[Earl of Shelburne]], and renovated in 1859.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Page |first1=William |title=Parishes: High Wycombe Pages 112-134 A History of the County of Buckingham: Volume 3. Originally published by Victoria County History, London, 1925. |url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/bucks/vol3/pp112-134 |website=British History Online |access-date=2 August 2020}}</ref> The small octagonal-shaped Cornmarket opposite, known locally as the Pepper Pot, was rebuilt to designs by [[Robert Adam]] in 1761. The large parish church of All Saints<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allsaintshighwycombe.org |title=All Saints Church, High Wycombe - home |website=Allsaintshighwycombe.org |access-date=9 August 2016}}</ref> was founded in 1086, enlarged in the 18th century and extensively restored in 1889. There is a large, well equipped theatre, the [[Wycombe Swan]], which hosts many acts and shows before or after their appearance in the [[West End theatre|West End]].

In April 2008, a new development of the town centre was completed. This included the demolition and movement of the bus station and the brand new ''[[Eden, High Wycombe|Eden Shopping Centre]]'', with 107 shops, new restaurants, a large bowling alley and cinema and new housing. The old Octagon shopping centre was connected to the new development. The complex, one of the largest in the country, is seen as a major milestone in the regeneration of the town.

To the east of the town centre is the extensive Rye park (and [[River Wye, Buckinghamshire|river]]) and dyke. The park had an outdoor [[swimming pool]], which closed in 2009. The pool has now reopened together with a new gym and has been renamed as the Rye Lido.<ref name="ryelido">{{cite web|author=Simon Farr |url=http://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/9791984.Council_boss_hails_Rye_Lido_ahead_of_centre_s_opening/ |title=Council boss hails Wycombe Rye Lido ahead of centre's opening |website=Bucksfreepress.co.uk |date=July 2012 |access-date=19 August 2020}}</ref> The River Wye winds through the green space, which is particularly attractive during the summer. Wycombe's yearly "Asian Mela" takes place on the Rye. There is a museum on Priory Avenue in the town centre situated on its own grounds and including a [[Normans|Norman]] [[castle]] [[Motte-and-bailey castle|mound]]. The theme of the museum is the history of Wycombe, with the main focus being the chair industry.

Wycombe town centre is home to many public houses and bars, especially in the Frogmoor area. The White Horse pub appeared on 'Britain's toughest pubs'.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/whereilive/northwest/southbucks/453609.pub_owner_gets_tough_over_story/ |title=Pub owner gets tough over story (From This is Local London) |access-date=13 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222050815/http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/whereilive/northwest/southbucks/453609.pub_owner_gets_tough_over_story/ |archive-date=22 February 2014  }}</ref>

The town features the old [[Wycombe Summit]],<ref name="wycombesummit1">{{cite web|url=http://www.wycombesummit.co.uk/ |title=WYCOMBE SUMMIT England's longest ski & snowboard centre |website=Wycombesummit.co.uk |access-date=9 August 2016}}</ref> formerly the largest dry ski slope in England, before it was destroyed in a fire. Construction work was due to start in September 2008, on what would have become England's third and largest indoor real snow ski centre. In May 2009, it was announced that construction would be delayed due to 'difficulties getting a planning consent amendment.'<ref name="wycombesummit1"/> As of 31 January 2012 it was announced that the site was up for sale.<ref>{{cite web|author=Simon Farr |url=http://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/9502822.Wycombe_Summit__ski_centre__site_up_for_sale/ |title=Wycombe Summit 'ski centre' site up for sale (From Bucks Free Press) |website=Bucksfreepress.co.uk |date=31 January 2012 |access-date=9 August 2016}}</ref>

[[Hughenden Manor]] borders the northern urban fringe of High Wycombe, approximately {{convert|2|mi|km|0|abbr=off|spell=on}} from the centre of town. Built in the [[Regency era|Regency period]], the architecturally appealing house was also home to [[Benjamin Disraeli]] for three decades in the mid-19th century. The three-floor mansion is situated in its own extensive grounds with beautifully landscaped gardens which back into the attractive Chiltern countryside. It is open to the public all year round as an historical attraction.

The local council maintains a landmark statue of a red lion above the former [[Woolworths (United Kingdom)|Woolworths]] store on the High Street. Its significance dates back to when the building was the ''Red Lion Hotel''. Since its installation, the lion has been replaced several times and has had to undergo extensive repair due to damage from both the elements and human interference. Another notable landmark is the ruins of the [[Hospital of St John the Baptist, High Wycombe|Hospital of St John the Baptist]],<ref>{{Cite EB1911 |wstitle=Wycombe |volume=28 |page=871}}</ref> which is located on Easton Street, just east of the town centre opposite the Rye parkland, and dates to the 12th century. The stone structure is one of the very oldest in Wycombe, and is said to contain stone used from the Roman villa on the Rye.

The site of the ancient [[Desborough Castle]] is situated between the Desborough and Castlefield suburbs of the town, and provides their names.