Buckinghamshire Curiosities

Ah, Buckinghamshire Curiosities! A title that suggests an adventure through the whimsies and oddities of one of England’s most picturesque counties, yet somehow manages to sound like a dusty old tome you’d find wedged between a 1980s cookbook and a manual for a long-defunct fax machine. Authored by the ever-intriguing John Lucas—who may or may not have been a time-travelling cartographer in his spare time—this 1993 treasure from Dovecot Press promises an exploration of the marvellous, the mundane, and the downright peculiar.

The cover is a bit marked or stained like something was spilt on it at sometime.

There is also a bookmark for a competitor book shop inside, but I suspect they went out of business and the site is owned by another less ’eclectic’ book seller. Anyway, it will suffice as a book mark, but remember, if you want more books, come to Crappy Old Books.

"Buckinghamshire Curiosities" by John Lucas is a guide that explores 82 unique aspects of Buckinghamshire, including follies, strange buildings, curious tales, and unusual people.

In this remarkably nondescript volume, Lucas takes us on a journey through Buckinghamshire’s lesser-known marvels, which, let’s be honest, probably include a tribute to an oddly-shaped tree or a plaque commemorating the site where a pigeon once stopped to rest. Each page feels as if it were penned by someone who, rather than seeking the grandiose, found joy in the sometimes absurd details of local lore. You’ll discover curious anecdotes, misguided attempts at historical significance, and perhaps an overzealous account of a local folk hero whose only accomplishment was winning a bake-off in 1972.

What exactly are these curiosities, you ask? Well, buckle up for a cavalcade of delights that may or may not keep you awake at night pondering the mysteries of life, such as:

• The curious case of the buried tea set that was never unearthed, but still manages to brew up a good story.
• An in-depth analysis of local myths surrounding a particularly sassy scarecrow.
• The undeniable connection between Buckinghamshire and the world’s most mediocre cheese.
• Interviews with locals who vehemently defend their village’s claim to fame—a roundabout, no less.
• A scholarly examination of the relationship between rain and the population of hedgehogs in the area.

As readers leaf through Lucas’s descriptions, one can’t help but wonder if he had a secret deal with the local tourism board or was simply trying to keep the spirit of quirkiness alive in a world increasingly dominated by mundane social media posts about avocado toast. The book seems to oscillate between local folklore and Lucas’s own whimsical interpretations, making you question whether you’ve entered an alternate reality where Buckinghamshire is both the epicentre of eccentricity and a sleepy corner of the countryside.

It’s hard to discern who this book is actually meant for. Is it the local history buff yearning for every last detail about a long-forgotten village fête? Or perhaps an unsuspecting tourist who has accidentally stumbled upon a treasure trove of oddities while seeking a guide to the county’s more conventional attractions? Regardless, it offers a unique glimpse into the nuances of what makes a place feel like home—or, at the very least, an entertaining pit stop along the way.

Condition: Used—though we suspect it has seen more coffee stains than actual readers. The spine is a tad creaky, the cover’s a bit dog-eared (which may or may not add to its charm), and it carries the unmistakable aroma of a bygone era, mingling nostalgia with the hints of a possibly unidentifiable snack. This book has lived, and it has stories of its own to tell.

So, if you fancy a meander through the peculiar pathways of Buckinghamshire and appreciate a narrative that feels more like a ramble with a quirky uncle than a polished travelogue, this is your chance. Perhaps it may inspire you to seek out the weird and wonderful in your own corner of the world, or at the very least, provide some excellent conversation starters at the next family gathering. Grab it now from Crappy Old Books, and let the adventure begin—or at least, let the bewilderment commence.

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