Until 2003 Aston Abbotts was proud to boast two public houses. The Bull and Butcher was located centrally within the village and for much of the 20th century it also served as the village bakery. This pub closed in March 2003, following the granting of planning permission to convert the site for residential purposes. Unfortunately for the residents of Aston Abbotts, some of whom are a thirsty bunch, the Royal Oak in the Wingrave Road, which goes south out of the village, closed during the pandemic in 2021. This thatched pub dates back to the 17th century, although it is believed that it was originally built to house workers and converted to a pub later. There is no sign of the pub openingas of 2024. Aston Abbotts lost it’s last remaining shop in 2005 when its proprietor Bernard Osborn retired. Osborn's shop had been located at one end of a thatched cottage and until closure it provided a valuable service to older residents who found it less easy to travel to Aylesbury or the other villages to pick up essential supplies. Bernard Osborn was born in Aston Abbotts before the Second World War and you can read an interview with him here, where he discusses his village life and running the shop.

Local industry has also diversified over the years - perhaps in some surprising directions. Just on the northern edge of the village on the road to Cublington lays a small industrial estate, home to a number of businesses. Farm buildings on the Wingrave Road leading him from south now house an antique furniture and furniture restoration business. Flackwell Electronics and Aviation Headsets electronics repair business is located at Church Farm. But perhaps the most unusual industry is the alpaca farming business run by Abbotts View Alpacas. (If you don't know what alpacas are then you should check

out their website.) Abbotts View Cattery is located on the same site. There are three livery stables in Aston Abbotts. But still the farming roots are strong. Much of the surrounding land is farmland and a few of the older farming families remain. Although some of the land is arable there is a great deal of pasture land. Much of this is used for sheep, although horses and cattle are also present in significant numbers.

Aston Abbotts residents face a number of threats to their peaceful happy existence. Of these probably the most significant is the threat of over development. Some controlled development is not only inevitable but arguably desirable if the village is to grow and move forward as times change. However, house prices in Buckinghamshire have soared to astronomical levels in the last two decades and this, coupled with the relatively low value of land for farming and a general shortage of housing, creates financial pressure for development. Although the Aylesbury Vale Local Plan does not allow for large development in the villages, recent years have seen the granting of several planning applications. In the year from April 2003 to April 2004 residential developments at the site of the former Bull and Butcher public house and on land to the rear of Home Farm saw a further 14 dwellings created, representing a housing growth of over eight per cent just in a 12 month period. A second potential threat is posed by the plans to develop an Oxford to Cambridge expressway. One route option would have created a larger and busier bypass road passing just south of, but possibly closer to, the village. At present the chosen route is further north in Buckinghamshire, but there is still a risk that this decision may change .

Luton Airport (some 15 miles away) started to route approaching aircraft over the Bucks villages around 2005. This increased the air traffic overhead on days when the wind is in an Easterly direction. At present the flightpath is used just for aircraft starting their final descent and they pass overhead at 3000-5000 feet (1000 - 1500 metres). Although the last century has shown that change and development is not only inevitable but sometimes brings good things, many villagers are concerned that the pace and scale of change should not destroy their way of life.

Bernard Osborn (centre - in the shop doorway) on April 2nd 2005 - the day that he finally closed the shop doors

The Royal Oak

So What’s So Special? Where Are We? Today & Housing Facilities, Industry, Threats The Village Walk Footpaths & Bridleways Field Map