Published: 10 June 2026
Buckinghamshire sits at the heart of the South East commuter belt, covering more than 1,800 square kilometres between London, Oxford and the Chiltern Hills. Around 30 per cent of the county is designated as Chilterns National Landscape, giving it one of the highest proportions of protected countryside in southern England. It is also often described as the UK’s National Trust capital, home to more National Trust properties than any other county in England, including Stowe House, West Wycombe Park and the Hellfire Caves. Yet despite its rural character, Buckinghamshire remains closely connected to the capital, with fast rail routes into London Marylebone and Paddington, strong road connections and a long history of towns shaped around commuting.
In this guide, we highlight a selection of Buckinghamshire’s best places to live. Each location has been assessed using the same core criteria: transport connectivity, access to countryside, quality of schooling, local amenities and housing stock.
Marlow
Set on a broad curve of the River Thames, Marlow has long been one of Buckinghamshire’s most assured addresses. The town has literary credentials, with Mary Shelley completing Frankenstein here, alongside a sporting pedigree rooted in rowing, with Marlow Rowing Club producing multiple Olympians over the years. Today, those historic layers sit comfortably alongside modern life, with independent shops, high-end dining and well-kept parks. Close enough to London to remain connected but far enough to feel distinct, it has become a natural choice for commuters.
Marlow’s reputation as a dining hub is firmly established, largely thanks to Tom Kerridge. His flagship pub, The Hand & Flowers, remains the only pub in the UK to hold two Michelin stars, while The Coach offers a one-star alternative.
Access to green space is one of the town’s strengths, with riverside walks through Higginson Park continuing along the Thames towards Hambleden Lock and Henley. Several country estates sit within easy reach, including Greys Court and Cliveden, while local cycle routes and riverside paths make outdoor access feel immediate.
Marlow is particularly well regarded for schooling. State provision is strong at both primary and secondary levels, with Danesfield School and Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School consistently cited among the area’s strongest options.
Housing stock is dominated by period homes, with Georgian terraces and large detached houses particularly prevalent. Prices reflect demand, with average values around £746,000, lower for terraced houses and higher for detached homes.
Gerrards Cross
Gerrards Cross is one of Buckinghamshire’s newer towns, established at the beginning of the 20th century. Its development can broadly be understood as an early rural landscape followed by its transformation into a commuter settlement after the arrival of the railway.
Unlike many towns, Gerrards Cross developed almost entirely as a residential settlement. It has a modest commercial centre around Packhorse Road and the High Street, with a mix of cafés and independent shops.
Transport connections are strong, with trains to London Marylebone taking around 20 to 25 minutes and ready access to the M40 and M25. Schooling provision includes both state and independent options and the town sits within reach of several Buckinghamshire grammar schools. Green space is also in abundance. East Common provides informal recreation, while Black Park Country Park, just a short drive away, offers more than 500 acres of woodland, heathland and open space with walking and cycle routes.
The area consistently ranks among the most expensive places to buy property in the UK. Average house prices over the last year typically ranged between £1.1 million and £1.2 million, with detached homes dominating the market and often exceeding £1.5 million.
Amersham
Amersham combines strong commuter credentials with the ease and scale of a well-established market town. Located on the edge of the Chilterns, the town is particularly well connected, with both the Metropolitan line and Chiltern Railways serving Amersham station and providing regular services into central London and beyond.
Amersham is divided into two distinct areas. Old Amersham sits in the Misbourne Valley and retains much of its historic character, with a medieval parish church, traditional coaching inns and independent shops. Amersham-on-the-Hill developed around the arrival of the railway and now functions as the town’s commercial centre, home to larger retailers and a growing selection of cafés and restaurants.
Local amenities include Amersham Museum, which chronicles the town’s past in a Grade II-listed building, alongside weekly markets and independent retailers that give the high street year-round character.
Schooling is a major strength, with access to some of Buckinghamshire’s best state and independent institutions, including Dr Challoner’s Grammar Schools and several well-regarded preparatory schools.
Beaconsfield
Beaconsfield occupies a confident middle ground between London commuter belt efficiency and Chiltern countryside calm. Around 25 miles west of the capital, it has long appealed to families and professionals drawn by strong schools, dependable transport links and a town centre that feels established.
Rail services from Beaconsfield station reach London Marylebone in around 25 minutes, while the town’s position just off the M40 places both the M25 and Heathrow within easy reach.
The town is divided between two distinct centres. Old Beaconsfield is the historic core, characterised by coaching inns, period cottages and a broad high street that still functions as a social hub. New Beaconsfield was developed around the arrival of the railway and provides the town’s everyday commercial centre, home to larger retailers and cafés and lying close to Bekonscot Model Village, the world’s oldest model village.
Access to green space is one of Beaconsfield’s strengths, with beech woodland surrounding the town and countryside walks close at hand, including paths from Seer Green towards the town. Housing reflects the town’s dual character, from historic properties to larger family homes and modern developments. Average prices over the past year typically ranged from around £736,000 to £886,000, with detached homes in high demand.
The Chalfonts
The Chalfonts sit between Amersham, Gerrards Cross and Chorleywood, forming a group of villages that act as a gateway to the Chiltern Hills. Each village has a distinct character. Chalfont St Giles is the most traditionally picturesque, with a historic high street and literary pedigree. Chalfont St Peter feels more functional and village-town in scale, with a high street that provides everyday essentials such as an M&S Foodhall with independent cafés, pubs and local shops. Little Chalfont combines a compact centre with an active community and small green spaces such as Little Chalfont Nature Park.
Community life is a defining feature, with regular village events and shared facilities, whilst the nearby Chiltern Open Air Museum, just outside the villages, adds further cultural and family appeal through its open-air historic buildings and activities.
House prices reflect demand, with highest values in Chalfont St Giles, where larger family homes can fetch well over £2.3m, followed by Little Chalfont and Chalfont St Peter. Schooling remains a significant pull, with access to some of Buckinghamshire’s strongest grammar schools alongside respected independent institutions, such as The Chalfonts School.
Few counties manage to offer this level of choice within such easy reach of London, from well-established market towns and discreet commuter villages to places that still feel shaped by landscape. For buyers and families looking beyond the capital without losing connection to it, Buckinghamshire remains convincingly hard to beat.
