WheresHome’s Top 5 Buckinghamshire Towns
- Whereshome
- Jul 24, 2022
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 9
Buckinghamshire has long been a favourite relocation spot for commuters looking to escape the big smoke. The area has plenty to offer with a number of schooling options across both the state and private sectors, great transport links by road and rail and a number of pretty, well serviced towns and villages that offer a rural feel whilst benefiting from access to all the amenities a modern family might need. With so many options in the area to choose from we decided to break down our top 5 towns to show you why these pretty little pockets of England might just be the answer to that big question, Where’s Home?
Beaconsfield
Affluent, pretty, green and full of charming character – Beaconsfield has long been a well-loved location for those looking to escape the rat race and move to greener pastures. Located on junction 2 of the M40, the town is less than 25 miles north west of London and the town’s train station offers a regular service to Marylebone making the area a practical choice for commuters. Property prices are high, and you can expect to pay over a million for a detached family home here. However, you do get a lot of bang for your buck with good schools, transport links and plenty of weekend activities to explore. Families will enjoy Odds Farm Park , a petting zoo on the edge of the town which lets you enjoy the real rural experience with cow milking and egg collecting amongst the exciting activities. Or for a quirkier day out, little (and big) ones will love Bekonscot Model Village - the first model vill age in the world! The tiny village boasts miniature castles, windmills, a coal mine and even a miniscule model of Ascot Racecourse. For the ramblers amongst you - the rolling chalk hills of The Chilterns which cradle the edge of the north of Beaconsfield are waiting for you and the oldest pub in Britain, the 900-year-old Royal Standard of England Is ready to serve you a cold pint at the end of a busy day of exploring.
Marlow
Marlow, A pr etty Georgian market town set along the River Thames alongside the meadows and woodlands of the Chiltern Hills is an understandable favourite here at WheresHome. Benefiting from a vibrant café and restaurant scene with a fantastic selection of boutique shops and bistros along the high street, it’s easy to see why this area was once a popular holiday destination for the literary set including T.S Eliot and Mary Shelley.
The town is also home to one of Britain’s best rowing clubs, producing a number of Olympians including Sir Steve Redgrave whose statue currently stands in the towns Higginson Park. For weekend pursuits you could explore the World War One training trenches at Marlow Common or take a part in the towns scavenger challenge or take a stroll towards Cookham along the Thames Path and take in the beautiful sights and sounds of this idyllic part of the waterway. And each summer enjoy the Marlow Town Regatta and Festival, a real embodiment of the best of British including the canoe regatta and dragon boat race competitions. With regards to property it’s a similar story to Beaconsfield and you’ll need a decent budget to purchase here. You’re looking at around a million for a detached executive family home and you could easily spend double that for a characterful property with large gardens
Great Missenden
The home of Roald Dahl for 36 years of his prolific writing career, Great Missenden certainly holds all the charm and whimsy you’d expect from the home of such an eccentric character. The writers work is celebrated throughout the town and you can take the Roald Dahl Trail or visit the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre to learn how this little town is so clearly weaved in to his prose, from the ‘norphanage’ in BFG to the library frequented by little Matilda. But if literature is not your thing, fear not – there’s still plenty else to do.
The town benefits from a rail station which offers a regular 45 minute journey in to Marylebone. There’s plenty of rambling and cycling to do in and around the town and the 15th century, Nag’s Head Pub can offer you sustenance in the form of a great pint and a roast after a busy day. For property, you’re looking at possibly even a little more than the previous two towns, with few options below a million and decent sized detached family homes creeping closer to the 1.5 million mark. But, the area is beautiful and is also home to the very well respected, Gateway Prep School as well as a number of independent secondaries within a 20-minute drive so you are unlikely to regret your purchase.
Chalfont St. Giles
Only a 50 minute drive from London and with regular links to Marylebone in the surrounding villages, this little town offers the best of British in both its beauty and sense of community. Visit the village market every 3rd Saturday of the month and experience the best from an array of local makers including arts and crafts, artisan gin, vintage homewares and food stalls and enjoy the annual Chalfont St Giles and Jordans Literary Festival held in May.
The village primary school, Chalfont St Giles Junior is OFSTED ‘outstanding’ rated and there are also independent options in neighbouring towns and villages. You’re once again looking at over a million for a decent detached family home here and there are a number of characterful executive options that fall over the 2 million mark. But don’t let the price tag put you off, there are a number of things to do in the area including great restaurants and bistro’s, the Chiltern Open Air Museum and plenty of beautiful walks.
Gerrards Cross
