Towns in Buckinghamshire: An Expert Guide on Where to Live
The towns in Buckinghamshire range from Chiltern market squares to riverside high streets, each with a character of its own.
Much of its appeal comes down to countryside on the doorstep and quick access to London, a combination that has made the county a long-standing choice for buyers leaving the city.
The schools are well regarded, the Chilterns National Landscape (formerly the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) puts protected countryside within reach, and property styles vary widely from one town to the next.
Aylesbury is the county town, and the wider county also takes in larger centres such as High Wycombe and Milton Keynes. Here we look at some of the most popular towns in Buckinghamshire.
Beaconsfield
The market town of Beaconsfield dates back to 1185. Its New Town provides an excellent selection of shops, including Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, and M&S Food, alongside boutique clothing stores. Beaconsfield Old Town, by contrast, is known for its charming restaurants and traditional public houses.
Beaconsfield is highly regarded for its schools, including its grammar schools. Preparatory options include Davenies for boys and High March for girls, complemented by state schools in the area. There are various sporting amenities available to Beaconsfield residents, with golf courses, rugby and cricket clubs, and leisure centres nearby.
The Chilterns, a short distance away, add stunning countryside and plenty of scope for outdoor activity.
The town offers a fast mainline train service to London Marylebone in as little as 23 minutes. The nearby M40 (J2) ensures easy access to London, Oxford, Birmingham, Heathrow, and the M25.
Gerrards Cross
Gerrards Cross is known for its leafy, low-density streets and large detached houses, with country parks and open countryside within easy reach. It has a good choice of cafés, a large Waitrose, and an Everyman Cinema.
Gerrards Cross is a convenient base, with Chiltern Railways providing frequent services to London Marylebone in around 20 minutes. The nearby Elizabeth Line at Slough Station further enhances connectivity to central London, Heathrow Airport, and Reading. The M25 and M40 are within easy reach, offering access across Greater London, Oxford, and the South East.
With destinations like Windsor, Reading, Oxford, and Bicester Village nearby, Gerrards Cross remains a popular choice for many homebuyers.
Marlow
Marlow is a riverside market town set on the banks of the River Thames. Its High Street features an eclectic mix of independent boutiques and national retailers. There are also a variety of bars, cafés, and restaurants, including the renowned Hand and Flowers pub. The Everyman Cinema adds to Marlow’s lively social scene.
Surrounded by the Chiltern Hills, Marlow provides abundant opportunities for outdoor pursuits. Residents can enjoy everything from riverside walks along the Thames Path to golf, cricket, rugby, and football clubs. Nearby golf courses include Temple, Harleyford, and Henley-on-Thames.
Transport connections include rail services to London Paddington (via Maidenhead) and the Elizabeth Line. There are also fast trains from High Wycombe to London Marylebone. The A404 offers easy access to the M4 and M40 motorways.
Families are well served by schools, including Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School and Great Marlow School.
Wendover
Wendover is a market town at the foot of the Chiltern Hills, with restaurants, bistro pubs, and independent shops set within easy reach of open countryside. Much of the appeal of living in Wendover lies in that balance of village amenity and immediate access to the hills.
For outdoor enthusiasts, popular destinations such as the Ridgeway Trail, Wendover Woods, Coombe Hill, and the Wendover Arm and Weston Turville Reservoir nature reserves are all close by.
Educational options include Wendover Church of England Junior School, with access to Aylesbury Grammar and High School, making Wendover a popular choice for families. Tring is a 10-minute drive from Wendover, and the train from Tring to London Euston takes about 40 minutes.
Just over the border: Berkhamsted
Berkhamsted sits just across the county line in Hertfordshire, not in Buckinghamshire, a short drive from Wendover and neighbouring Tring. For families weighing the north and east of the county, it remains a real cross-border consideration, thanks to the Berkhamsted Schools Group and a direct London Northwestern Railway service into Euston.
Buyers looking closely at schooling in this pocket can read more in our guide to independent prep schools in Buckinghamshire and where to live nearby.
Amersham
Amersham offers commuter convenience and countryside charm. It is well connected, with the Metropolitan and Chiltern lines providing quick access to central London. Amersham comprises two distinct areas.
Old Amersham, in the Misbourne Valley, features a 13th-century church, historic pubs, boutique shops, and coaching inns.
In contrast, Amersham-on-the-Hill grew around the railway station and now serves as the main shopping hub, with high-street brands like Waitrose and M&S alongside a variety of eateries and cafés. There are weekly and monthly markets in both the old and new towns, and the town is also home to a modern Lifestyle Centre with leisure and spa facilities.
Families are well served for schooling, from Dr Challoner’s grammar schools to a strong choice of independent options, with more in our guide to moving to Buckinghamshire for grammar schools and independents.
Aylesbury
Aylesbury is the county town of Buckinghamshire. At the heart of the county, it blends the character of a historic market town with the conveniences of modern living. Neighbourhoods such as Bedgrove, Hawkslade, and Berryfields are particularly popular for their welcoming communities and pleasant surroundings.
Aylesbury’s convenient transport links make it a popular choice for London commuters.
The town is rich in cultural heritage, home to landmarks such as the Buckinghamshire County Museum and the King’s Head Coaching Inn, managed by the National Trust. Music enthusiasts will recognise its connection to David Bowie, marked by the Earthly Messenger statue, while literary fans will appreciate its association with Roald Dahl.
For homebuyers looking for a vibrant lifestyle, Aylesbury is among the most popular towns in Buckinghamshire, with its bustling markets, shopping centres like Friars Square, and a lively dining scene.
Residents can also enjoy performances at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre or explore the nearby countryside, ideal for cycling, hiking, and horse riding.
Princes Risborough
The market town of Princes Risborough sits at the foot of the Chiltern Hills. Its high street features a mix of shops, boutiques, restaurants, and traditional public houses, alongside essential services such as a GP and dental surgery.
Princes Risborough has a leisure centre with swimming facilities, a tennis and bowls club, and a golf club.
The town is well connected, with a mainline station providing fast services to London Marylebone in approximately 35 minutes. The M40 motorway (J4, J5, and J6) is within easy reach, offering convenient access to London, the Midlands, and the wider motorway network.
Families benefit from a range of educational options, including private schools and access to grammar schools in Aylesbury and High Wycombe. For more extensive shopping and leisure amenities, nearby towns in Buckinghamshire such as High Wycombe and Aylesbury, as well as the city of Oxford, are easily accessible.
Buckingham
Buckingham is the historic former county town, a title it held until Aylesbury took precedence in the sixteenth century. That long heritage still shows in its handsome Georgian streets, the domed Old Gaol museum on Market Hill, and the medieval Chantry Chapel cared for by the National Trust.
The town sits on a loop of the River Great Ouse, with the University of Buckingham lending it a quiet academic character and a steady calendar of lectures, markets, and events. Buckingham’s appeal is measured less in journey times to London and more in the room and calm it offers.
Just to the north lie the eighteenth-century landscape gardens at Stowe, now in the care of the National Trust, alongside Stowe School.
Buckingham appeals to a different buyer from the commuter-belt towns further south. Rather than a fast London line, its draw is space, period character, and an unhurried market-town rhythm, which makes it a natural choice for downsizers and for those relocating for lifestyle rather than the daily commute.
Property ranges from centrally placed Georgian townhouses to farmhouses and converted barns in surrounding villages such as Maids Moreton, Gawcott, and the Claydons.
Towns in Buckinghamshire: The property search
Countryside and relatively quick access to London from many parts of the county are, in our experience, a large part of the appeal of property in Buckinghamshire.
Many prime properties here are sold off-market, and the services of a professional property finder can help you access the broadest range of homes available, while their local knowledge can help you identify the areas that best suit you.
If you would like to discuss your plans to move to one of the many beautiful towns in Buckinghamshire, please contact us without obligation for an initial discussion.
