Why Move to Buckinghamshire?
Buckinghamshire offers a strong blend of countryside, historic towns, commuter links, schools, business opportunities, and high-quality local amenities. The county includes well-known towns and communities such as Aylesbury, High Wycombe, Buckingham, Amersham, Chesham, Beaconsfield, Marlow, Princes Risborough, Wendover, Gerrards Cross, Great Missenden, and Haddenham. Buckinghamshire Council lists many of these as historic towns in the county, reflecting the area’s long-established market-town and village character.
For many movers, Buckinghamshire’s appeal lies in its balance. It offers access to London, Oxford, the Thames Valley, and wider South East employment hubs, while also providing countryside, riverside towns, village life, grammar schools, independent shops, country pubs, and open green space. The Chilterns National Landscape covers 838 square kilometres across Buckinghamshire and neighbouring counties, with chalk hills, valleys, woodlands, commons, meadows, historic routes, and attractive villages.
Buckinghamshire’s population reached around 553,100 in the 2021 Census, up from just under 505,300 in 2011. ONS data also shows the area remained among the lower 35% of English local authorities for population density, which helps explain why the county can feel spacious compared with many London and commuter belt locations.
What to Expect Living in Buckinghamshire
Living in Buckinghamshire gives residents access to a wide range of lifestyles. Aylesbury offers county-town amenities and major growth; High Wycombe provides strong road and rail links; Marlow offers a riverside Thames setting; and Amersham, Chesham, Beaconsfield, Wendover, Buckingham, Great Missenden, and Princes Risborough offer a mix of market-town and village-style living.
The Chilterns are a major part of the county’s lifestyle appeal. The landscape is known for chalk escarpments, flower-rich downland, wooded hillsides, historic villages, ancient routes, and chalk streams such as the Chess and Misbourne.
Buckinghamshire is also practical for families and professionals. It has schools, colleges, university campuses, business parks, country parks, retail centres, restaurants, healthcare services, and transport links. Buckinghamshire Council also manages local services, including schools, early years, SEND support, libraries, parking, roads, transport, housing, planning, and community services.
Whether you are looking for a town-centre flat, a family home near schools, a riverside setting, or a rural cottage close to the Chilterns, Buckinghamshire offers a broad range of options.
Housing in Buckinghamshire: Exploring Your Options
Buckinghamshire is one of the more expensive areas in the South East, so buyers should plan affordability carefully. According to ONS local housing data, the average house price in Buckinghamshire was £484,000 in November 2025. The average private rent was £1,456 in December 2025, up from £1,391 in December 2024. The average first-time buyer price was £360,000 in November 2025.
The county’s housing market is varied. Buyers can find apartments in town centres, terraced homes in established communities, semi-detached and detached homes in family areas, period homes in historic towns, and cottages in villages across the Chilterns and Vale of Aylesbury.
Aylesbury, High Wycombe, Chesham, Buckingham, and Princes Risborough may appeal to buyers who want stronger transport or town-centre facilities. Marlow, Beaconsfield, Gerrards Cross, Amersham, and some Chiltern villages are often associated with higher property values due to their setting, schools, and commuter links.
For first-time buyers, movers, landlords, and those relocating from London, it is important to compare property prices, mortgage affordability, commuting costs, school catchments, and local amenities before choosing an area.
Education in Buckinghamshire: A Hub of Learning
Education is one of Buckinghamshire’s strongest draws for families. Buckinghamshire Council provides information on primary admissions, secondary admissions, in-year transfers, school places, catchment areas, and the county’s grammar school process.
Buckinghamshire is well known for its selective grammar school system. Children applying for Buckinghamshire grammar schools take part in Secondary Transfer Testing, often referred to as the 11+. The council states that qualified children can be considered for grammar schools included in their secondary school application, but a grammar school place is not guaranteed.
Further education is also strong. Buckinghamshire College Group has campuses in Aylesbury, Wycombe, Amersham, and a new High Wycombe campus project. The college offers full-time courses, T Levels, apprenticeships, adult programmes, and training designed with employers.
Higher education is available within the county. Buckinghamshire New University has its main campus in High Wycombe and a campus in Aylesbury, where specialist courses include nursing, midwifery, apprenticeships, and digital innovation facilities. The University of Buckingham also has a Buckingham campus across Hunter Street, Chandos Road, and Verney Park.
For families, this creates a strong learning journey from nursery and primary school through to grammar, upper school, college, apprenticeships, and university study.
Employment Opportunities
Buckinghamshire has a diverse economy, with opportunities across public services, health, education, construction, retail, hospitality, professional services, film, creative industries, space, high-performance technology, and life sciences.
Buckinghamshire Council launched an Economic Growth Plan for 2025 to 2035, focusing on high-value sectors such as space, creative industries, high-performance technology, and life sciences. The plan also includes support for small and medium-sized enterprises through business development programmes and strategic partnerships.
The county’s nationally significant economic assets include the Westcott Space Propulsion Cluster, Pinewood Studios and the National Film and Television School creative cluster, the Silverstone technology cluster, and digital health, med-tech, and AI linked to Stoke Mandeville.
For residents, this means Buckinghamshire can support a broad range of career paths. A buyer moving to High Wycombe, Aylesbury, Beaconsfield, Marlow, Amersham, Buckingham, or nearby villages may be able to access local employment while also staying connected to London, Oxford, Reading, Slough, Milton Keynes, and other regional hubs.
Mortgage Brokers in Buckinghamshire: Securing a Home
Buckinghamshire’s property market can be competitive and higher priced than many other UK regions. This makes mortgage planning especially important. A mortgage broker in Buckinghamshire can help buyers understand affordability, compare lenders, review deposit requirements, and prepare for the application process.
A local broker can support:
- First-time buyers looking at flats, terraces, and starter homes
- Home movers comparing schools, commuter routes, and larger family homes
- Buy-to-let investors considering rental demand and lender criteria
- Self-employed applicants who need help presenting income clearly
- Remortgage clients reviewing new rates and changing circumstances
- Buyers relocating from London or another part of the UK
Because Buckinghamshire includes a mix of urban, suburban, rural, and high-value commuter areas, advice should be tailored to the property, location, income, deposit, and long-term plans.
Why Buckinghamshire Could Be Your Ideal Place to Call Home
Buckinghamshire may suit buyers who want the countryside without being fully remote. The Chilterns offer rural walks, historic villages, market towns, and protected landscapes, while places such as High Wycombe, Aylesbury, Amersham, Beaconsfield, Marlow, and Buckingham provide shops, schools, transport, healthcare, and leisure facilities.
The county’s country parks also support family life and outdoor wellbeing. Buckinghamshire Country Parks include Black Park, Denham Country Park, Langley Park, and Thorney Country Park. Black Park alone offers 530 acres of woodland, lakes, trails, and adventure activities, while Langley Park provides historic gardens and views towards Windsor Castle.
For those who value a lifestyle with both convenience and character, Buckinghamshire offers commuter towns, riverside communities, rural villages, country parks, schools, and established local economies.
Exploring Attractions in Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire has a strong mix of heritage, countryside, family attractions, walking routes, gardens, country parks, and riverside towns.
Waddesdon Manor is one of the county’s best-known attractions. The Chilterns National Landscape describes it as a French Renaissance-style chateau near Aylesbury, built in the 1870s by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild, with gardens, trails, an aviary, exhibitions, a restaurant, and shops.
The Chilterns also provide outdoor attractions throughout the county, including chalk hills, historic market towns, walking routes, cycling routes, pubs, restaurants, local produce, and places to stay.
Country parks such as Black Park, Langley Park, Denham Country Park, and Thorney Country Park provide walking, cycling, family activities, nature, woodland, lakes, cafés, trails, and picnic spaces.
Other popular Buckinghamshire attractions include Stowe Gardens, Hughenden Manor, Cliveden, Bekonscot Model Village, Marlow’s riverside walks, the Roald Dahl connections around Great Missenden, and the Chiltern villages that give the county much of its character.
Transport and Infrastructure
Buckinghamshire has strong transport links, although access varies by town and village. Larger towns such as High Wycombe, Aylesbury, Amersham, Beaconsfield, and Marlow tend to offer better public transport access than smaller rural communities.
Buckinghamshire Council’s draft Local Transport Plan 5 looks ahead to 2045 and focuses on easier, safer, more accessible travel, improved travel choices, the local road network, public transport, reduced transport emissions, and better places.
Road access is an important part of Buckinghamshire living. Buckinghamshire Council notes that its highways infrastructure covers around 3,200 km and is valued at £4.2 billion.
Rail access is also a major benefit for many residents. High Wycombe station is managed by Chiltern Railways and offers step-free access to all platforms. Buckinghamshire New University’s High Wycombe campus page states that High Wycombe is around a 30-minute train journey to London city centre.
Amersham is another important transport location, with National Rail showing it is in Buckinghamshire, managed by London Underground, and offering tube, metro, tram, and airport transport links.
For buyers, transport choices should be checked carefully. A short distance on a map does not always mean a quick commute, especially in rural areas or during peak traffic.
Dining Out: Places to Dine in Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire has a strong dining culture, shaped by country pubs, historic inns, farm shops, cafés, restaurants, riverside dining, and local produce.
The Chilterns National Landscape describes the wider Chilterns as having pubs, vineyards, breweries, markets, local produce, historic market towns, tucked-away villages, farmland, chalk-fed streams, and ancient woods. It also notes that the Chilterns was once known as the “larder of London”.
For Sunday lunch and eating out, areas such as Marlow, Beaconsfield, Amersham, Great Missenden, Aylesbury, Wendover, Buckingham, and High Wycombe offer a range of pubs, restaurants, cafés, and family-friendly venues. Marlow is especially well known for dining, and The Hand & Flowers states that it is the first pub with two Michelin stars.
Residents can also enjoy farm shops and local produce. The Chilterns National Landscape highlights local food through pubs, restaurants, farmers’ markets, farm shops, foodie tours, and independent shops that support market town and village character.
Whether you want a village pub, a family meal, a riverside restaurant, a country café, or a special occasion venue, Buckinghamshire offers plenty of choice.
Check Our Advisers in Buckinghamshire
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FAQ: Why Move to Buckinghamshire
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Why is Buckinghamshire a popular place to live? | Buckinghamshire offers a balance of countryside charm and city convenience. With its scenic Chiltern Hills, thriving towns like High Wycombe and Aylesbury, and proximity to London, it attracts families and professionals seeking a better quality of life without losing urban access. |
| Is Buckinghamshire a good area for families? | Yes. The county is known for excellent schools, including top-rated grammar and independent schools, as well as safe communities, parks, and family-friendly amenities. It’s one of the best places in the UK for raising children in a semi-rural setting. |
| What are the transport links like in Buckinghamshire? | Outstanding. The M40, M1, and A41 provide fast access to London, Oxford, and the Midlands. Chiltern Railways and the Elizabeth Line offer quick rail links, while Heathrow and Luton airports are within easy reach. Ideal for commuters. |
| Are there good employment opportunities nearby? | Definitely. Buckinghamshire is part of the London commuter belt and home to major employers in finance, tech, and healthcare. Milton Keynes, Aylesbury, and High Wycombe also host thriving business hubs. |
| What is the housing market like in Buckinghamshire? | The county offers a range of property options from character cottages in market towns to modern developments and luxury homes. Prices are above the UK average, reflecting demand for its lifestyle and connectivity. |
| What lifestyle can I expect in Buckinghamshire? | Expect a mix of relaxed countryside living and modern amenities. Residents enjoy outdoor pursuits in the Chiltern Hills, boutique shopping in market towns, vibrant restaurants, and cultural attractions like Waddesdon Manor and the Roald Dahl Museum. |
| Is Buckinghamshire suitable for first-time buyers? | Yes. While some areas are premium, many locations such as Aylesbury, Bletchley, and parts of Milton Keynes offer affordable housing options, government schemes, and access to local mortgage advisers. |
| Can I find mortgage advisers in Buckinghamshire? | Absolutely. Connect Experts has a network of FCA-authorised mortgage advisers in Buckinghamshire, offering tailored mortgage and protection advice across the region. |
| What are the best towns to live in Buckinghamshire? | Popular choices include Amersham, Beaconsfield, Marlow, Milton Keynes, Aylesbury, and Chesham, each offering unique character, good transport links, and a strong community spirit. |
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