High Wycombe is a market town in the South of the county. The settlement first appears as a Saxon village known as Wicumum in 970, though the remains of a Roman villa in what is now the town have been found. The town was granted a market charter in 1222 and became a mill town with with paper, linen and lace produced in the town.
In the 19th century the furniture making industry took off in High Wycombe sparking an expansion in factories and housing for their workers. The town became well known for it's chair making, the Wycombe Museum includes a number of chairs made in the town.
In the 20th century the slums were cleared and replaced by new housing, the city centre redeveloped after the Second World War. The parish church of All Saints dates from the 13th century. High Wycombe railway station opened in 1854.
