Beaconsfield is a market town in Buckinghamshire, close to the M40 and around 23 miles from central London. It features an old town high street filled with quaint, independent businesses, as well as a bustling new town high street with well-known brands. Its first known documentary reference dates back to 1185, thought to be of Saxon origin, and it also has evidence of two Roman roads.
The town is rich in history, with many original buildings still standing, such as churches and rectories. It’s a great place to live, but also one of the most expensive in Buckinghamshire.
I’ve lived in and around the area my entire life, and it’s easy to see why it’s popular among celebrities and tourists.
Notable residents include Vernon Kay and Tess Daly, as well as past ones like Ricky Gervais and James Corden.
The high street boasts a plethora of independent shops, eateries, and pubs, such as Melody Mint Cafe, Royal Saracens Head, and The Old Tea House, to name a few.
Brasserie Blanc by Raymond Blanc is one of my favourite restaurants in the old town, as well as Giggling Squid and homePizza.
It’s also home to the Crazy Bear Hotel, one of the oldest documented buildings in the town, a 15th-century coaching inn.
Today, the beautiful hotel is elaborately decorated in a luxurious setting, serving delicious food.
In the new town, particular favourites include Fego, which offers a delicious breakfast, as well as The Beech House and Prime Steak House.
Just down the road lies the Royal Standard of England, a historic pub reputed to be the oldest in Britain.
It features carved oak panels, worn flagstones, gnarled timbers and a delicious food menu.
The town has also been the backdrop to many films and television shows, including The Theory of Everything, Hot Fuzz and Midsomer Murders.
There are also numerous attractive nearby towns, such as Amersham, Gerrards Cross, and Marlow, making Buckinghamshire a desirable place to live.
However, it doesn’t come cheap living here, with the overall average property price in the last year standing at a whopping £1,039,083, according to Rightmove.
There are plenty of homes for sale in the town, but very few under the £500,000 mark, meaning it’s very unaffordable for first-time buyers.
At the time of writing, there are 208 homes for sale in the town, with the most expensive standing at £6,750,000.