Dido's Cave

You'll find this one tucked away near Buckingham - a modest cave carved into the riverbank that's been drawing curious visitors for centuries. The story goes that a local woman called Dido (or Diana, depending who you ask) lived here sometime in the distant past, though the truth has probably vanished into legend by now. What you actually get is a small, atmospheric hollow in the rock face, the kind of place that makes you wonder who really sheltered here and why.

It's genuinely atmospheric rather than grand. The cave itself won't take long to explore - you can be in and out in twenty minutes - but the real appeal is the riverside walk to reach it and the chance to imagine what life was like for whoever carved or occupied this space. The setting is peaceful, which counts for something.

Historically minded types will find it interesting as a quirk of local folklore rather than a major historical site. There's no visitor infrastructure that I'm aware of, so come prepared for a bit of a walk and dress for the weather. It's free, as far as I can tell, and there's no time restriction.

If you're camping at one of the sites near Buckingham - Hedgehog Retreat or Dadford Road are closest - this makes a decent half-hour detour on a morning walk. Don't expect it to be the highlight of your trip, but it's exactly the sort of odd, quiet spot that stays with you.