WHY?

Don’t be put off by its unprepossessing main drag. Bourne End is one of the best places to live in South Bucks – and that’s saying something. The fact that its loveliest spots, like the private Abbotsbrook estate, are tucked away out of sight, has helped keep it off the radar of families heading west out of London in search of space and clean air. But we suspect it won’t stay this way for long. Bourne End has a train station that connects to Crossrail, it’s in catchment for four outstanding grammar schools, and there’s walkable access to beautiful expanses of open countryside that inspired Sir Stanley Spencer and Enid Blyton. In short, it’s Marlow without (quite) such a steep price tag.

EAT

Head to Bourne End Marina (yes, it has a marina) where’ll you’ll find the buzzy tapas restaurant El Cerdo – a perfect spot for people-watching and ogling the glitzy South Bucks ‘have-yachts’ cruising by on the Thames. For good pub grub there’s The Spade Oak (combine Sunday roast with a walk by the river), or head past the station to The Walnut Tree – a pretty local pub dating back to the 1800s with a roaring fire and large garden. Locals’ favourite watering holes are The Keg, for craft beers, or The Bounty – a piratical pub across the river with a huge beer garden, come-as-you-are vibe and children’s playground. You can only get there on foot or by boat – but that only adds to its appeal.

SHOP

If you really want to flex the plastic, neighbouring Marlow is the place for serious retail therapy – but Bourne End has the smaller (and quirkier) indie shops that’ll serve you day to day. As well as key-cutters, dry-cleaners, local supermarkets and coffee shops (plus a Costa), Bourne End has a gift shop called The Lemon Tree, Jill Lawrie Interiors for hand-made curtains, and a brilliant family-owned garden centre and café called Flowerland, complete with tropical fish tanks. Just outside Bourne End there’s Home Barn – an interiors mecca that lures glossy magazine editors out of London.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Bourne Enders are only a bridge-crossing away from the charms of Cookham – so (for an annual fee) they’re eligible to become members of The Odney Club, a country club owned by The John Lewis Partnership with tennis courts, an outdoor pool and grounds rolling down to the river. If you’re feeling even flusher, become a member of the Cliveden Spa and you can swim in the outdoor swimming pool (above) where Keeler and Profumo started their illicit affair. Bourne End has also rolled out the red carpet to a new beauty salon, called Your Hair & Beauty Salon, and the newly opened Soma House is down the road near Flackwell Heath if you’re in the zone for cutting-edge therapies like cryotherapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Wild swimming devotees are in luck too – head to Westhorpe Watersports in Little Marlow.

COMMUNITY

Bourne End is a friendly village with regular street markets, a busy local library and an annual Christmas fair. Get involved by joining the Upper Thames Sailing Club (they have a lively summer party) or by propping up the bar at The Hedsor Bar, the locals’ social club with a huge beer garden on tap that’s popular for kids’ parties.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

Bourne End is the starting point for some beautiful and not-too taxing walks along the river to Marlow and even Henley, across Cock Marsh, and up Winter Hill. Easy days/afternoons out are Cliveden, the National Trust stately with huge grounds to roam, or Odds Farm Park, both near Taplow. Odds Farm is somewhat less aesthetic than Cliveden – it’s basically a mega play barn and petting zoo – but a lifesaver for those with small kids.

CULTURE

Head to the Hedsor Bar for live jazz nights each Thursday (plus line dancing!), or keep an eye out for what’s on at Bourne End Community Centre. For bigger shows it’s best to head to Marlow, which has the swish new Everyman cinema and the Jam Theatre Company (local celeb Chris Evans is a patron). There’s also the Wycombe Swan down the road in High Wycombe, which has a full programme of theatre, panto and comedy from big names – recently Ricky Gervais, Dawn French and Ben Elton.

AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES

The average price for a property in Bourne End is around £716,970 – less for a terraced house (£477,200) and semis (£600,250), and more for a detached house (£1,038,476).

HOT PROPERTY

NURSERIES

Locally the two nurseries rated Good by Ofsted are Abbotsbrook Pre-School and the New Beginnings Nursery. There’s also a nursery for children aged 2+ yrs at the co-ed Herries Preparatory School in Cookham Dean, or try the well-regarded Cookham Nursery School.

SCHOOLS

The village primary in Bourne End is Claytons, but Bourne End parents also opt for St Paul’s in Wooburn Green and Holy Trinity CofE in Cookham. For secondary, you’re in catchment for four outstanding grammar schools: Marlow’s Sir William Borlase’s (co-ed), Beaconsfield High (girls), Wycombe High (girls) and John Hampden (boys).

Top independent Prep schools include Caldicott in nearby Farnham Royal, High March in Beaconsfield, Herries Preparatory School in Cookham Dean, and the nurturing St Mary’s Prep School and Rupert House in Henley. For secondary there are school buses from Bourne End to Piper’s Corner, Heathfield, St Mary’s School in Gerrards Cross, and Claires Court. Reading Blue Coat in Sonning and Holme Grange School in Wokingham provide further options – or there’s the super high-achieving Wycombe Abbey in High Wycombe.

BEST-KEPT SECRET

Sssh! Bourne End’s most famous local is Shakin’ Stevens, but he likes to keep a low profile.

COMMUTE

The fastest train from Bourne End to London has one change (at Maidenhead) and takes around 40 mins. Season tickets from £4,284. Alternatively, drive to High Wycombe (to London Marylebone), or Maidenhead or Taplow (both to Paddington and on Crossrail) for a direct route. Driving takes 50 mins with no traffic. Want the stylish co-working space without the commute? Hop in the car for 5 mins and you’re at Mill House, Wooburn Green, a boutique workspace with chic interiors and free coffee.

View the full Top 300 Places to Live.