Although amenities need to be closer we love the quiet and safeness of living in a village which means this move will be longer and more demanding than looking for a place in the country in the first place. The move will mean being within an hours drive from friends and family as opposed to sometimes 3 hours and work is plentiful for hubby and that has made him like a new man, trust me ;P
Our criteria is such
30/40 mins max drive into Hubbys new job at Heathrow. (Yes after numerous job applications and a few interviews in Norfolk, hubby applied for 3 jobs in Heathrow and got all of them :D)
Peaceful area but within a drive or 2 mile walk into a market town / town
Fields (which I will miss when we live more than I realised, obviously a country bumpkin at heart)
Close to friends and family again 30/40 mins max.
Good schools, my older son will now be home schooled as to place him into another school so late in his schooling is unfair to him but to be in areas where he would be able to enter a college or good 6th form preferable.
Good junior schools.
Good playing areas.
Community spirit. Without a doubt the hardest part of leaving Norfolk is the people (although hard to understand at times) they are without a doubt the friendliest people I have ever met. Walking the hairy one today, I moved to the side of the road to let them pass and they waved to me, not put their hand up to thank me but both man and wife were waving fiercely at me (possibly could have had toilet paper dangling behind me) :D
Pretty, I know i've said it before but it must be pretty for example think the films "The Holiday" and "Bridget Jones Diary" will google where they were.
Close to a hospital (but not too close) for work as hubbys shifts now allow me to be able to get back to work yay! Be warned patients!!!
Ok so lets get started:
Key places so far are:
Buckinghamshire Villages:
Amersham
Stokenchurch
The Chilterns
Beaconsfield (albeit impossible due to budget)
Marlow
Gerrards Cross
down to Denham
The good people of Buckinghamshire have plenty to smile about, but now their secret is out. Max Davidson takes a tour of the county that is a house-hunter's delight
They are happy, they are healthy, they earn a packet, their kids get great GCSE results - and they live for ever. Small wonder that the residents of leafy Buckinghamshire topped a "quality of life" poll by the Halifax.
Average life expectancy in the county is the highest in the UK (79.5 years) and the percentage of home owners is a princely 77 per cent. One gets the general picture: a solid, secure, stable place to live.
But the odd thing about Buckinghamshire is that it has never been a fashionable address, compared with, say, Sussex or Gloucestershire. It would not be a wild exaggeration to call it a well-kept secret - of the kind that house-hunters love.
People whizz through the county on the M40 to Birmingham, little realising the gems lurking a few miles from the motorway - villages such as Turville, where The Vicar of Dibley is filmed, or Long Crendon, one of the many Buckinghamshire settings used in Midsomer Murders.
Buckingham itself has seen better days, and it is hard to warm to High Wycombe, but dozens of other towns and villages combine decent amenities with pleasant, attractive surroundings.
"You would be hard pushed to find a more agreeable place to live within such easy reach of London," says Alison Court, from Haddenham, one of those quintessential English villages with an old church, a duck pond, a cluster of pubs and a small army of women walking golden retrievers. It is the sense of community that she and her husband cherish: the annual cycle of summer fetes, am-dram productions and carol concerts; friendly neighbours who stop for a gossip in the street.
Haddenham and Thame Parkway station has a 50-minute train service into London Marylebone. Commuting options elsewhere in the county vary, with some as short as 30 minutes. But, hey, who needs London? As you meander through the Chilterns, or along the banks of the Thames, it is hard not to be seduced by the combination of gently rolling hills, thatched cottages, narrow streets, weatherbeaten churches and low-ceilinged pubs.
Buckinghamshire is not particularly big -most of it squashed in between the M1 and M40, on the fringes of Metroland - but it boasts remarkable variety, from the classic Thames-side town of Marlow to pretty little Brill, with its windmill, and the popular antique-hunters' haunt of Great Missenden, Roald Dahl's old home.
Some towns are notoriously expensive, such as stockbroker-belt Gerrards Cross, but there are better-value properties tucked away elsewhere. Here is a small selection of good places to start looking.
AMERSHAM
Split between the old and the new town on a hill, Amersham ticks most of the boxes: it is a spin of the wheel from the M25, but doesn't feel like it, with its Georgian houses, uncluttered centre and rural surroundings. There are good local amenities -and in 14 stops on the Metropolitan line, you can be at Baker Street.
Split between the old and the new town on a hill, Amersham ticks most of the boxes: it is a spin of the wheel from the M25, but doesn't feel like it, with its Georgian houses, uncluttered centre and rural surroundings. There are good local amenities -and in 14 stops on the Metropolitan line, you can be at Baker Street.
On offer Three-bed character cottage close to Amersham on the Hill station for £289,950.
Contact Robsons, 01494 724999 www.robsonsweb.com
AYLESBURY
The county town has sprawled in recent years and is one of those places that can sometimes feel like a succession of roundabouts. But it offers an attractive mix of old and new. The historic centre, around the market square and St Mary's Church, has some handsome properties in a conservation area, and there are some interesting new developments, particularly around the regenerated canal basin. A popular grammar school is one of Aylesbury's trump cards.
Trains: 55 mins to London
On offer Affordable modern apartments, starting at £159,950, at Viridian Square, a gated development in the Waterside quarter.
Contact 0870 7551 635 www.crestnicholson.com/viridiansquare
The county town has sprawled in recent years and is one of those places that can sometimes feel like a succession of roundabouts. But it offers an attractive mix of old and new. The historic centre, around the market square and St Mary's Church, has some handsome properties in a conservation area, and there are some interesting new developments, particularly around the regenerated canal basin. A popular grammar school is one of Aylesbury's trump cards.
Trains: 55 mins to London
On offer Affordable modern apartments, starting at £159,950, at Viridian Square, a gated development in the Waterside quarter.
Contact 0870 7551 635 www.crestnicholson.com/viridiansquare
BEACONSFIELD
Beaconsfield, highly prized by commuters, is on the "rich list" of the towns with the highest average property prices in Britain (see Britain's 50 richest towns). It is close to the M40 and has a 30-minute rail service to Marylebone. The Old Town, with its broad streets and redbrick houses, has an enviably relaxed ambience. Where better to potter around the shops and have a leisurely pub lunch? Some of the surrounding countryside is even better: the Chilterns at their verdant best.
Beaconsfield, highly prized by commuters, is on the "rich list" of the towns with the highest average property prices in Britain (see Britain's 50 richest towns). It is close to the M40 and has a 30-minute rail service to Marylebone. The Old Town, with its broad streets and redbrick houses, has an enviably relaxed ambience. Where better to potter around the shops and have a leisurely pub lunch? Some of the surrounding countryside is even better: the Chilterns at their verdant best.
On offer Two-bed Victorian terrace cottage in the Old Town for £325,000.
Contact Savills, 01494 731950 www.savills.co.uk
Contact Savills, 01494 731950 www.savills.co.uk
BOURNE END
Enid Blyton used to live here, and this unspoiled riverside town seems to hark back to her era. You half-expect to see the Famous Five playing tag under the weeping willows. Despite its slightly out-of-the-way feel, it is quite close to the M40. As well as tumbledown cottages, there are some impressive modern homes, particularly at Bourne End Marina.
Trains: 55mins to London
On offer Contemporary riverside townhouse with cleverly designed interior for £675,000.
Contact Savills, 01494 731950 www.savills.co.uk
Enid Blyton used to live here, and this unspoiled riverside town seems to hark back to her era. You half-expect to see the Famous Five playing tag under the weeping willows. Despite its slightly out-of-the-way feel, it is quite close to the M40. As well as tumbledown cottages, there are some impressive modern homes, particularly at Bourne End Marina.
Trains: 55mins to London
On offer Contemporary riverside townhouse with cleverly designed interior for £675,000.
Contact Savills, 01494 731950 www.savills.co.uk
GERRARDS CROSS
John le Carré coined the phrase "Gerrards Crosser" to describe a certain kind of smug middle-class Englishman. The place retains a little of that smugness - and house prices to match - but it is a salubrious, well-run town with handsome detached houses, a pukka golf club and leafy surroundings. Neighbouring Chalfont St Giles, where Milton wrote Paradise Lost, and Chalfont St Peter, the so-called gateway to the Chilterns, are also good bets.
Trains: 30 mins to London
On offer Large five-bedroom family home in the Dukes Wood area for £1.2 million.
Contact Bramptons, 01753 888800 www.bramptons.co.uk
John le Carré coined the phrase "Gerrards Crosser" to describe a certain kind of smug middle-class Englishman. The place retains a little of that smugness - and house prices to match - but it is a salubrious, well-run town with handsome detached houses, a pukka golf club and leafy surroundings. Neighbouring Chalfont St Giles, where Milton wrote Paradise Lost, and Chalfont St Peter, the so-called gateway to the Chilterns, are also good bets.
Trains: 30 mins to London
On offer Large five-bedroom family home in the Dukes Wood area for £1.2 million.
Contact Bramptons, 01753 888800 www.bramptons.co.uk
GREAT MISSENDEN
A funky Roald Dahl museum is the latest addition to a likeable town best known for its narrow streets, tea rooms and antique shops. It is a quietish place, a bit off the beaten track, but there is a good spread of properties, from character cottages to modern semis here and in neighbouring Little Missenden.
Trains: 41 mins to London
On offer Two-bedroom period cottage in the Great Missenden conservation area for £275,000.
Contact Wynyard-Wright & Ellis, 01494 864225 www.wwe.co.uk
A funky Roald Dahl museum is the latest addition to a likeable town best known for its narrow streets, tea rooms and antique shops. It is a quietish place, a bit off the beaten track, but there is a good spread of properties, from character cottages to modern semis here and in neighbouring Little Missenden.
Trains: 41 mins to London
On offer Two-bedroom period cottage in the Great Missenden conservation area for £275,000.
Contact Wynyard-Wright & Ellis, 01494 864225 www.wwe.co.uk
HADDENHAM
A large village or a small town? You could argue it either way. Haddenham has the honeysuckled cosiness of a traditional village, in which all roads seem to converge on the duck pond and the church. Shops are limited, although there is a great selection of pubs. But with estates springing up, it is gradually expanding. Haddenham and Thame Parkway station is on the doorstep, so the village is popular with commuters. Trains: 50 mins to London
On offer Semi-detached five-bedroom Edwardian home, within walking distance of the station and village amenities, for £475,000.
Contact Christopher Pallet, 01844 290440, www.christopherpallet.com
A large village or a small town? You could argue it either way. Haddenham has the honeysuckled cosiness of a traditional village, in which all roads seem to converge on the duck pond and the church. Shops are limited, although there is a great selection of pubs. But with estates springing up, it is gradually expanding. Haddenham and Thame Parkway station is on the doorstep, so the village is popular with commuters. Trains: 50 mins to London
On offer Semi-detached five-bedroom Edwardian home, within walking distance of the station and village amenities, for £475,000.
Contact Christopher Pallet, 01844 290440, www.christopherpallet.com
LONG CRENDON
Deliciously sleepy, unspoilt village on the Oxfordshire border. Shops and amenities are modest, but it has a good primary school and a cornucopia of pretty period properties, from half-timbered 17th-century houses to thatched cottages, most with lovingly tended gardens. Decent road and rail links to London.
Trains: (from Haddenham) 50 mins to London
On offer The Old Bakery, a large three-bed period property with an enclosed garden, for £475,000.
Contact Babingtons, 01844 202066 www.babingtons.co.uk
Deliciously sleepy, unspoilt village on the Oxfordshire border. Shops and amenities are modest, but it has a good primary school and a cornucopia of pretty period properties, from half-timbered 17th-century houses to thatched cottages, most with lovingly tended gardens. Decent road and rail links to London.
Trains: (from Haddenham) 50 mins to London
On offer The Old Bakery, a large three-bed period property with an enclosed garden, for £475,000.
Contact Babingtons, 01844 202066 www.babingtons.co.uk
MARLOW
Riverside town par excellence, with a regatta in June, Marlow is one of the prettiest towns on the Thames - and pricey in consequence. The centre is a bit congested and the fringes are scruffy in places, but this is still a prime residential location, with great period properties, stylish new developments and easy access to the M4 and the M40.
Trains: 55 mins to London
On offer Four-bedroom house on popular Temple Mill Island, a gated Thameside development, for £795,000.
Contact 01494 731950 www.savills.co.uk
Riverside town par excellence, with a regatta in June, Marlow is one of the prettiest towns on the Thames - and pricey in consequence. The centre is a bit congested and the fringes are scruffy in places, but this is still a prime residential location, with great period properties, stylish new developments and easy access to the M4 and the M40.
Trains: 55 mins to London
On offer Four-bedroom house on popular Temple Mill Island, a gated Thameside development, for £795,000.
Contact 01494 731950 www.savills.co.uk
WESTON TURVILLE
This picture-postcard village at the foot of the Chilterns is less than five miles from bustling Aylesbury, but feels further: the surrounding area has a wonderful rustic quality. Amenities are limited, as you would expect in such a small community, but some gorgeous properties, many in a conservation area, come on the market from time to time.
Trains: (from Stoke Mandeville) 45 mins to London courtesy of www.telegraph.co.uk
This picture-postcard village at the foot of the Chilterns is less than five miles from bustling Aylesbury, but feels further: the surrounding area has a wonderful rustic quality. Amenities are limited, as you would expect in such a small community, but some gorgeous properties, many in a conservation area, come on the market from time to time.
Trains: (from Stoke Mandeville) 45 mins to London courtesy of www.telegraph.co.uk
Surrey Villages
South of the Airport down to Camberley / Farnborough
Surrey is a county of two halves. The northern part, some of which is in Greater London, is more suburban, while south, beyond the M25, is greener, less densely populated and contains picturesque villages set around cricket greens and with quaint pubs.
Janet has come up with six areas where affordable homes can be found. Three towns that are within easy reach of London and within the M25 are, Epsom, Walton-on-Thames and Byfleet village. Beyond the M25, Surrey becomes more rural and this is where its prettiest villages can be found. Leatherhead, which is within easy reach of the North Downs, is a town of narrow streets and some 16th-century buildings. On the southern edge of the beautiful Surrey Hills is Cranleigh. It calls itself Britain's largest village, but is the size of a small market town, and has been undergoing improvements. Sainsbury's opened there in 2004 and, this year, a Marks & Spencer food hall moved in.
"It has a really homey feel about it, with regular farmers' markets and a strong sense of community," says Janet. "If there is a downside to Cranleigh, it is that it is not on a regular rail route - although many locals see this as an advantage. People travel either to Guildford for fast trains to the capital [40 minutes] or the scenic route over the Surrey hills to Clandon station [54 minutes to Waterloo]."
Berkshire Villages
Taplow
Holyport
Windsor
Maidenhead
Obviously the further away from hubbys work we go the prettier the places seem to get, so obviously Feltham and Hounslow are off the cards!!
"The Holiday"
was filmed at Godalming and Shere
was filmed at Gloucestershire so a tad far lol!!
TTFN!!!!
