Hobby farms and vineyards make this romantic country township worth putting down roots
Located in beautiful Bucks County, Buckingham Township is a peaceful country community. Buckingham Township in Bucks County borders Doylestown Borough, the county seat. With just over 20,000 residents and the cultural hub of Doylestown drawing all types of visitors, there are plenty of social events in addition to the tranquil privacy of country life.
Settled initially by Leni-Lenape Native Americans, Buckingham Township was founded in 1700 by English and Welsh Quakers and German-speaking colonists. Many of its historic buildings reflect an English and German architectural legacy. Its rich soil has made Buckingham a successful agricultural area, and working farms and vineyards dot the gently rolling countryside. In recent years, Buckingham’s ecologically-minded residents have passed policies dedicated to increasing parkland and its conservation. Both visitors and locals cherish the area’s scenic and historical character.
As expected from a township whose municipal crest reads “Peace and Plenty,” Buckingham is distinguished by its independent agriculture industry and the incredible bounty enjoyed by its residents. Whether it’s artisanal cheeses, farm-fresh produce, or excellent local wine, it’s easy for locals to eat well with convenient access to local and organic options. Come spring or fall harvest, there are also plenty of pick-your-own opportunities in Buckingham and the surrounding areas that make for a memorable family activity.
Buckingham residents treasure their beautiful natural surroundings and have taken steps to protect and expand parkland and open space in the township. The community often organizes to discuss and promote environmentalism and historic preservation, with the Township most recently issuing an additional $7.5 million in open space general obligation bonds in 2009.
With family farms only a half-hour away in any direction, there’s no shortage of good dining in Buckingham. Baci Ristorante and Heart of Oak Pub share two levels of the same historic stone building — the tavern-style Heart of Oak Pub on the ground floor and the more contemporary Italian Baci Ristorante up top. Both levels have outdoor areas lit with candles or fairy lights for an atmospheric dining experience. Keep the conversation flowing at nearby Mad Princes Brewing.
Steak lovers will adore Porterhouse Restaurant and Pub in nearby Lahaska, while everyone can find a delicious meal at Cross Culture Indian Cuisine. Locals rave about Cross Culture’s authentic Indian dishes, and it’s established multiple locations in the Pennsylvania and New Jersey areas to meet demand. Make it dinner-and-a-show by purchasing tickets to a spring or fall play at the Town and Country Players, a theater set inside an 18th-century barn.
Both connoisseurs and casual wine drinkers from across the Northeast flock to Buckingham Valley Vineyards, one of Pennsylvania’s first wineries since its establishment in 1966. One of the few wineries in Pennsylvania that produces Methode Champenoise sparkling wine, the vineyard is renowned for its premium wines and down-to-earth ethos. They consider wine a “basic food group” and endeavor to keep their excellent products — like their award-winning champagne-style wines — affordable and reasonably priced for their quality. Visitors seeking a wine tour can hop over to Wycombe Vineyards, only a six-minute drive away in nearby Furlong, Penn.
Weekends in Buckingham are often spent biking, hiking, or trekking — the area’s highest peak can be found at the 520-foot high Buckingham Mountain. Visit Mount Gilead Church on the New Hope side of Buckingham Mountain, which tradition says served as a station on the Underground Railroad. After a long day out on the mountain, wine-lovers will appreciate that Buckingham Valley Vineyards is only a short drive down Durham Road. If roughing it sounds like too much, golfers and country clubbers will be pleased by the lush fairways and exceptional dining at the private Lookaway Golf Club.
Buckingham is served by exceptional private schools and public school systems and is part of the Central Bucks School District. Notable schools include:
Buckingham Friends School, K-8 Grades, private Quaker school offering a Joint Environmental Mission program for environmental foreign exchange
Central Bucks High School East, 10-12 Grades, awarded the National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence in 2019
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