Olympic Itineraries

Day trips or short breaks for those staying during the 2012 Games or with an interest in the Olympics and Paralympics.

Day trip – Dorney Lake area

Spend an afternoon at Dorney Lake watching the rowers and canoeists or explore the 450 acres of parkland and Arboretum surrounding the 2km lake. Combine your visit to the lake with a trip to the adjacent Dorney Court and garden centre. Voted as one of the finest Tudor Manor Houses in the Country offers private tours to groups of 20 or more.

If it’s a lovely sunny day do a spot of rowing on the River Thames or visit the Longridge Activity Centre, which was recently voted as one of the best sports tourism facilities in the country. Longridge offers water and land based activities for all ages including rowing, canoeing and dragon boating for groups and individuals.

Stay at one of the many B&Bs or if you are looking for sophistication there are several beautiful hotels in the area. There are also plenty of accommodation for those with accessibility needs.

If you have a little more time and want to explore the area why not…

Visit Cliveden in Taplow and admire the magnificent gardens and breath-taking views. It is fully accessible and there is something to do for all visitors with river trips, story themed play area and the Cliveden Maze. You could also pay a visit to the internationally renowned glorious gardens at the Old Thatch, the former home of Enid Blyton at Bourne End.

The Bekonscot Model Village and Railway cannot be missed if you’re looking for a unique day out. Delighting visitors of all ages, this miniature wonderland is the world’s oldest model village with so much to explore. This is fully accessible for wheelchair users and those with assistant dogs.

Black Park Country Park offers a wide variety of activities from orienteering to the tree top adventures of Go Ape!, from the Model Boat Club to the Adventure Play Area and you can cycle, walk and even spend an afternoon fishing for free. For those with limited accessibility there are miles of well surfaced tracks for those with buggies or wheelchairs or mobility buggies (walk with wheelchairs) etc.

There isn’t a better way to explore the Chilterns than through the Walk Free Breakfree walking and outdoor experiences and holidays.

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Day trip – Stoke Mandeville area

Visit the Birthplace of the Paralympics at Stoke Mandeville Stadium in the morning and discover the National Centre for Disability Sport. If you want to be outdoors why not venture to the Chiltern escarpment of Wendover Woods. Enjoyable for everyone, with easy accessible trails, spectacular views and cycle and bridal routes for those feeling more energetic. Try the adrenalin forest adventures of Go Ape! plus there are plenty of areas to have a bbq, picnic and a run around in the children’s playground.

There is an abundance of B&Bs and guest houses in Aylesbury and Wendover and hotels in Aston Clinton and Aylesbury, not forgetting the fully accessible Olympic Lodge Hotel in Stoke Mandeville.

If you have a little more time and want to explore the area why not…

Visit the Buckinghamshire County Museum in the centre of historic Aylesbury to discover the county’s natural and cultural heritage. Take the children next door to the Roald Dahl Children’s Gallery for hands-on fun. The museum and gallery are both accessible to all.

Spend a day at the majestic Waddesdon Manor, home to the Rothschild dynasty with much to explore or enjoy the fascinating display of working engines at the Buckingham Railway Centre and keep a watch out for ‘Day out with Thomas’ events.

Make a splash in the leisure pool at Aqua Vale in Aylesbury or cruise along the beautiful stretch of the Grand Union Canal and enjoy an cream team aboard a canal boat.

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Stuck for something to do in the evening? 

Both High Wycombe and Aylesbury town centres offer a range of exciting entertainment including the Wycombe Swan Theatre, the state-of-the-art Aylesbury Waterside Theatre or for an intimate show visit the Queens Park Arts Centre in Aylesbury. Dotted across the Buckinghamshire countryside are many fantastic traditional pubs to wind down in at the end of the day.

If you have a little longer to spare why not explore one of the other Pre-Games Training Camps in the area. There are accommodation venues available with a range of accessible provision.