WHY?

Taplow offers the best of both worlds – a tranquil, semi-rural setting just minutes from all the amenities you can shake a stick at, from boutique spas and stately homes, to organic farm markets and top-notch grammar schools. Ant McPartlin loved it enough to marry his first wife in the village church, and the Elizabeth Line is on your doorstep, ready to whip you into London in just 45 mins.

EAT

Whatever you fancy, Taplow’s got you covered. The treasured village inn is the Oak & Saw. The menu is classic pub grub – from gammon steak to fish and chips – and the Sunday roasts are the stuff of local legend. Feathers is a quintessential country pub a stone’s throw from Cliveden House (the perfect recharge after a day exploring the National Trust property). If river views and chic interiors is what you seek, Hall & Woodhouse Taplow is a contemporary restaurant on the banks of the Thames with an outdoor terrace that’s crying out for a girlie lunch and a pitcher of Pimms.

You’re also just 4 mins away from Alain Roux’s riverside brasserie, Roux at Skindles (lighter on the pocket than his three Michelin star thriller, The Waterside Inn, in Bray). Yes, it’s over the border in Berkshire, but while you’re there, you may as well check out Heston Blumenthal’s iconic restaurants, The Fat Duck and The Hind’s Head.

SHOP

Where to start! The Bishops Centre retail park has an impressive line-up, including Homesense, TK Maxx, the Nike Factory Store and Mountain Warehouse. Flowerland is a sprawling botanic paradise just a few minutes down the road that also sells homeware, outdoor furniture, flowers and pet stuff, with a great little café in the middle. La Maison, is a treasure trove of French-styled furniture and one-off upcycled antiques, 10 mins away in Bourne End. Ooh la la! Still want more? Eden Shopping Centre is 25 mins away in High Wycombe.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

You can channel your ‘Lady of the Manor’ vibes with luxury beauty treatments at Cliveden House spa. You get full access to the facilities, including the outdoor pool made famous by a skinny-dipping Christine Keeler, à la the Profumo affair. Taplow House, in the heart of the village, also offers a range of treatments and indulgent spa days, as does Burnham Beeches Hotel, 10 mins further down the road, set in gorgeous woodlands.

Fancy a little river trip to melt away the stresses of the day? You can book a 45-min skippered cruises along the Thames or hire self-drive boats by the hour at Boating at Cliveden. Pay your National Trust entry (or flash your membership card) then follow the signposts down to the river (it’s a 20-30 min walk, so make sure you leave plenty of time).

WALKS

The ancient woodlands of Burnham Beeches are a great place to wander, and bonus points for their outdoor eco-coffee shop, The Beeches. The Oak & Saw Pub Walk takes you right through Taplow and along the Jubilee River and the Thames. The National Trust runs the grounds of Cliveden House, and there are loads of walks and fitness trails to choose from. Kids will love the fairytale huts buried deep in the woodlands, and furry friends are welcome too!

COMMUNITY

Kids fancy a warble? The Taplow Choirs are always on the lookout for new voices, for the children’s and youth choirs. The Taplow Cricket Club welcomes players of all ages and experience, while the Taplow WI (originally set up by Lady Nancy Astor, of Cliveden House fame) meets on the first Tuesday of every month. Bargain-hunters take note – the Giant Car Boot Sale runs every Sunday. Then every summer the locals whoop it up at the Village Green Party, complete with BBQ and traditional country dancing. Fun for the whole family.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

Burnham Beeches is a great place to take the family, meet friends for a coffee and walk the dog. If it seems strangely familiar, it probably is; Maleficent, Harry Potter and The Princess Bride are just some of the movies that were filmed here. Odds Farm is a guaranteed winner for young kids; petting zoos, zoom slides, circus weekends – need we say more? Taplow Court is a historic home-turned Buddhist Centre that’s open to the public throughout the year.

CULTURE

If it’s good enough for Megan and Harry, it’s good enough for us. Cliveden House has stunning grounds to explore, a glorious house to admire, and a packed calendar of events to enjoy throughout the year. Dorney Court is the official manor house of the village, owned by the Palmer Family for nearly 500 years – and who can forget its starring swoonworthy role with The Duke in series one, episode 5 of Bridgerton). There are acres of mature parkland, an ogle-worthy Tudor-style house to tour, and a lovely tearoom. Or you can opt for the granddaddy of stately homes – Windsor Castle is just a 20-min drive (arrive early to beat the queues).

Just 10 mins drive away in Cookham is the Stanley Spencer Gallery, highlighting the work of the local boy-made-good who became one of the UK’s greatest artists.

AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES

Not cheap, but what would you expect? The average for a detached property is £1.15m, while semi-detacheds fetched £625,167.

HOT PROPERTY

Twyford Six bedrooms, a tennis court, a pool and self-contained guest accommodation make this quite the retreat. On the market for £3.75m with Bovingdons. — Six bedrooms, a tennis court, a pool and self-contained guest accommodation make this quite the retreat. On the market for £3.75m.

NURSERIES

There are three local nurseries and playgroups, all with Good OFSTED ratings. St Nicholas playgroup is the feeder for the primary school of the same name. Silchester Manor Day Nursery & Pre-school is a few minutes away, and a little further out is The Old Station Nursery, Taplow. Odds Farm has also opened a day nursery and pre-school, with a focus on nature-based learning.

SCHOOLS

Catchment is St Nicolas’ Church of England Combined School, a charming village school on the green. Other local schools that have accepted out-of-catchment students include St Peter’s Church of England, Dorney School, Lent Rise School, St Paul’s Church of England Combined School, St Mary’s Farnham Royal C of E and Claytons. For secondary, you’re in the catchment area for Burnham Grammar School (co-ed), Beaconsfield High School (girls) and John Hampden Grammar (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 are further options – or there’s the super high-achieving Wycombe Abbey in High Wycombe.

BEST-KEPT SECRET

You can get steamy at Lakeside Sauna while enjoying gorgeous views across Taplow Lake, then cool off with a dip in the clear, calm waters (it’s perfect for open water swimming too). This sauna is open Fridays and Saturdays, fits six people and gives you private access to the lake. Shhhhhh! It’s our little secret…

COMMUTE

Taplow’s just over 1 hr’s drive from central Oxford or London, but why subject yourself to London traffic? Jump on the shiny new Elizabeth Line at Taplow Station and you’ll be at Paddington in 45 mins. Taplow is also on the GWR National Rail line, so brilliantly connected to the south-west and all the way up to Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds.

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