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The Parish of Wooburn and Bourne End is a few miles south west of the town of High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire.  The Parish occupies the valley of the River Wye, the adjoining hillsides and part of the River Thames flood plain.  Eight miles from its source below Radnage, the Wye joins the Thames at Bourne End, and other parish communities are dotted along it at Wooburn Moor, Wooburn Green, Wooburn Town, Cores End and Egham's Green.
Hill hamlets are at Berghers Hill, Widmoor, Hawks Hill and Harvest Hill, and Hedsor Road. 

  
In the 13th century, Wooburn Manor Park Estate was the Bishop of Lincoln's Palace, and the moat which was dug to allow the Wye to flow around the Palace remains to this day.  

Although there has been considerable 20th century urbanisation, the various parts of the Parish have retained their individuality, with local people opposing continuous ribbon development.  Parish Council initiatives in the past have conserved and improved upon the local environment. 

Wooburn's marvellous 1.5 acre Village Green was purchased by the Parish Council from the last lord of the manor.

After 2 years of protracted negotiations, the 31 acres of Wooburn Park was purchased in 1938 for £3,550 by levying a 1d rate, Bucks CC contributing the grand sum of £887.10s.0d.  This beautiful open space is flanked by Chiltern hillsides which are still wooded or actively farmed.
 

One of those woodlands, Farm Wood, is another example of the Parish's enterprise;  in 1994 the Parish acquired the woodland on a 999 year lease, and today it is actively managed and conserved for the benefit of all.  

The Recreation Ground at Bourne End was given by Sir John Thomas, a partner of the firm Thomas & Green of Soho Mill in 1901.  The mill closed in the 1980s, but "The Rec" remains an important recreational facility.

For over a thousand years the River Wye powered water mills, and at one time paper manufacturing was an important industry in the valley.  The last paper mill - Glory Mill - closed at the millenium, and its site is now occupied by small businesses and attractive  housing development. 
 

Bourne End Marina is going from strength to strength.  A new chandlery has risen from the ashes of a fairly low key operation, and a pump-out & fuel facility and crainage offers a comprehensive service to boats moored or passing.

The restaurant located above the chandlery commands impressive views up and down the Thames.