Bucks &amp; Oxon


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>Speen offers country living par excellence &#8211; stunning scenery, a charming community feel, and tranquility without quite being in the middle of nowhere. It&#8217;s around a 15 min drive from both High Wycombe and Princes Risborough, but it’s peacefully undisturbed by the advent of HS2. Pretty flint cottages and period homes give Speen a chocolate box feel, but there&#8217;s plenty going on too to help you get stuck in to village life at this small (less than 1,000 residents) but perfectly formed Chilterns des res.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/Artichoke-Restaurant-Old-Amersham.jpg" alt="Artichoke Old Amersham" class="wp-image-107770" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/Artichoke-Restaurant-Old-Amersham.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/Artichoke-Restaurant-Old-Amersham-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/Artichoke-Restaurant-Old-Amersham-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/Artichoke-Restaurant-Old-Amersham-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/Artichoke-Restaurant-Old-Amersham-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Fine dining at Artichoke</figcaption></figure>



<p>The village pub, The King William IV, closed in doors in 2015 &#8211; but an active local group is campaigning to get it re-opened as a community pub. In the meantime, your best bet is to head to <a href="http://www.thehampdenarms.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Hampden Arms</a> up the road in Great Hampden. Head chef Constantine is Greek, so the menu is peppered with Mediterranean flourishes such as tzatziki, calamari and kleftiko, a traditional Greek slow-roasted lamb dish, alongside trad pub classics. <a href="https://www.thepolecatinn.co.uk/">The Polecat Inn</a>&nbsp;in Prestwood has a swanky glass-fronted restaurant, open theatre-style kitchen and wood-fired pizza oven, and Great Missenden is home to the <a href="https://nagsheadbucks.com/">The Nags Head</a> and <a href="https://www.crosskeysgreatmissenden.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Cross Keys</a>. For special occasions, you&#8217;re a 20-min drive from the Michelin-starred <a href="https://www.artichokerestaurant.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Artichoke</a> in Old Amersham and superior Spanish tapas restaurant <a href="https://plumarestaurants.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pluma</a>. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="658" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/SpeenStores.jpg" alt="Speen best places to live. Speen Village Shop" class="wp-image-171894" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/SpeenStores.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/SpeenStores-800x526.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/SpeenStores-400x263.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Speen Village Shop</figcaption></figure>



<p>Speen&#8217;s village shop, the well-run Speen Stores, is open seven days a week to cater for all your day to day needs &#8211; it even has a Post Office. For more specialist requests, you&#8217;re only a 20-min drive from the local Waitrose mothership at Handy Cross near High Wycombe. Local indies are well-served too: shopping highlights include <a href="https://www.theappleorchard.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Apple Orchard</a>, a furniture shop on West Wycombe high street; the Aladdin&#8217;s cave of antiques at <a href="https://tootells.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tootell&#8217;s Fine Furniture and Interiors</a>; and gifts and homewares stores <a href="https://www.littlewrencollections.co/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Little Wren Co</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://bigskygtmissenden.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Big Sky</a>, both in Great Missenden. The Muddy Award-winning farm shop at <a href="https://peterleymanorfarm.co.uk/farm-shop/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Peterley Manor Farm</a> is stocked with seasonal produce from more than 100 high-quality suppliers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<p>You&#8217;re in prime Chilterns walking territory here &#8211; so pull on your wellies and get a lungful of fresh air on one of the <a href="https://chilternsociety.org.uk/free-walks-leaflets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">many local walks</a> along <a href="https://www.chilterns.org.uk/map_marker/ridgeway-national-trail/">The Ridgeway</a> and the <a href="https://icknieldwaytrail.org.uk/">Icknield Way</a> – or head to the <a href="https://chilternsociety.org.uk/our-sites/prestwood-local-nature-reserve-2/">Prestwood Nature Reserve</a> to soak up the cornucopia of flora and fauna. The village has its own <a href="https://www.prestwoodtennisclub.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tennis Club</a>. Beauty-wise, the <a href="https://www.beauty-salon-great-missenden.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oasis Health &amp; Beauty Spa</a> is a much-admired (and former Muddy Award-winning) salon in the centre of Great Missenden.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>Speen has a village hall and its own playing field with cricket nets (there&#8217;s another village cricket pitch at neighbouring Great Hampden too). Speen&#8217;s Baptist Church is another community hub, hosting everything from toddler play sessions to ladies&#8217; bible study and informal café-style worship.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/hughenden-manor-in-autumn-hughenden-buckinghamshire.jpeg" alt="Hughenden Best Places to Live Whiteleaf" class="wp-image-171557" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/hughenden-manor-in-autumn-hughenden-buckinghamshire.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/hughenden-manor-in-autumn-hughenden-buckinghamshire-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/hughenden-manor-in-autumn-hughenden-buckinghamshire-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/hughenden-manor-in-autumn-hughenden-buckinghamshire-400x267.jpeg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Hughenden Manor</figcaption></figure>



<p><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hughenden" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hughenden Manor</a>, the country home of Victorian PM Benjamin Disraeli, is near High Wycombe, or head to the bucolic West Wycombe Estate for the Palladian elegance of the National Trust’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/west-wycombe-park-village-and-hill" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">West Wycombe Park</a>, plus <a href="https://www.hellfirecaves.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Hellfire Caves</a> and <a href="https://www.westwycombewalledgarden.com/">The Walled Garden</a>, where you&#8217;ll find two high-end children&#8217;s play areas and a great café. Great Missenden is home to the wonderful <a href="https://www.roalddahlmuseum.org/visit-roald-dahl-museum/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Road Dahl Museum</a>, a must-visit for kids. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<p>Every two years, the village hosts the <a href="https://www.speenfestival.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Speen Festival</a>, a culture and arts fest that brings the community together to celebrate local musical, artistic and theatrical talent. Every festival since its foundation in 2001 has brought new ideas, such as yoga and wellness sessions, a kids’ park bike challenge and even a community camping night on the playing fields. Chesham&#8217;s community <a href="https://elgiva.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elgiva Theatre </a>is just 15 minutes away, as is the much bigger <a href="https://trafalgartickets.com/wycombe-swan-theatre" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wycombe Swan</a> in High Wycombe.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-prices">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES</h2>



<p>Property in Speen had an overall average price of £985,000 last year, the majority of sales being detached properties which went for an average of £1,113,750. Semi-detached properties sold for an average of £727,500.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/Speen-Best-Properties.png" alt="Speen Best Places to Live" class="wp-image-172517" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/Speen-Best-Properties.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/Speen-Best-Properties-800x534.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/Speen-Best-Properties-400x267.png 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A period home in Loosley Row with outstanding views, <a href="https://www.knightfrank.co.uk/properties/residential/for-sale/lower-road-loosley-row-princes-risborough-buckinghamshire-hp27/bcn012444567" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">On the market with Knight Frank for £1.45m</a>.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES</h2>



<p>Speen&#8217;s primary school runs the <a href="https://www.speenschool.com/page/?title=Little+Apples+Pre%2DSchool&amp;pid=43">Little Apples Pre School</a> on the same site, for children aged from 3 yrs to school-age. For full-time childcare, <a href="https://flowerpotsdaynurseries.co.uk/prestwood-nursery/">Flower Pots Day Nursery</a> in Prestwood covers ages 0 – 5 yrs for full days and is rated Good by Ofsted, or there&#8217;s term-time <a href="https://www.godstowe.org/little-godstowe-nursery/introduction-to-the-nursery" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Little Godstowe</a> (ages 3+ yrs) in High Wycombe, with Godstowe Prep as a follow-on primary school option.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.speenschool.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Speen Church of England School</a> is the local primary up to age 7 yrs. At that point, kids tend to move on to <a href="https://www.stjohnsce.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St John’s</a> in Lacey Green for Key Stage 2. The closest state secondary is Princes Risborough School. Private school options include top girls’ Prep school&nbsp;<a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/godstowe-school-high-wycombe-review/">Godstowe</a> and super-high-achieving all-girls secondary <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/wycombe-abbey-high-wycombe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wycombe Abbey</a>, both in High Wycombe, or <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/pipers-corner-chilterns/">Pipers Corner</a>&nbsp;girls’ school (3-18 years) in Little Kingshill. </p>



<p>There&#8217;s also <a href="https://www.gatewayschool-bucks.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gateway School</a> in Great Missenden &#8211; a co-ed Prep for ages 2 – 11 yrs &#8211; and the sought-after co-ed <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/chesham-prep/">Chesham Prep</a>. Over in Amersham there&#8217;s <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/the-beacon-school-amersham-review/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Beacon</a>, a Prep school for boys aged 3 – 13 yrs, or there&#8217;s boys&#8217; Prep <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/schools/davenies-school-beaconsfield-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Davenies</a> in Beaconsfield and <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/gateway-school-great-missenden/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Mary&#8217;s School</a> in Gerrards Cross, a through day school for girls aged 3 – 18 yrs.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p>The <a href="https://speenbucks.org.uk/garden-of-rest-for-the-villages-of-speen-lacey-green-and-loosley-row/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Garden of Rest</a> for the villages of Speen, Lacey Green and Loosley Row is a former church cemetery rescued from closure after a petition by residents, and it&#8217;s become a little pocket of tranquillity for locals.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>The best way to commute to London from Speen is via High Wycombe or Princes Risborough stations. Both are on the line to London Marylebone, with fast trains from 25 mins and 39 mins respectively. Annual season tickets are about £4,450 and £4,600 respectively. Driving takes approx 1hr 30 mins.</p>



<p><em>View the full&nbsp;<a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Top 300 Places to Live</a>.</em></p>


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