Bucks &amp; Oxon


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



<p>It&#8217;s bijou and beautiful! Unusually the National Trust owns the entire village &#8211; probably because it&#8217;s just that damned pretty &#8211; lined with 16-18th century cottages, with film worthy vistas in abundance (seriously it&#8217;s been featured in no end of hit movies, <em>A Clockwork Orange</em>, <em>Sense &amp; Sensibility</em>, <em>Bridget Jones&#8217; Baby</em>, <em>The Importance of Being Ernest</em> to name a few), headline monuments, a couple of pubs, a smattering of lovely shops and whole lotta history. Just three miles west from the bigger, functional town of High Wycombe, West Wycombe is perfect for quiet, peaceful living and feeling like you&#8217;re a million miles away from modern civilisation without having to be.</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="863" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/ScreenShot2023-06-04at16.07.54.png" alt="" class="wp-image-150468" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/ScreenShot2023-06-04at16.07.54.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/ScreenShot2023-06-04at16.07.54-800x690.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/ScreenShot2023-06-04at16.07.54-400x345.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/ScreenShot2023-06-04at16.07.54-608x525.png 608w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The outdoor terrace at The Walled Garden</figcaption></figure>



<p>Considering the size of the village, there are three wonderfully wonky pubs you&#8217;d be proud to call your local. There&#8217;s the Grade II listed <strong>The Swan Inn</strong> which is great for some good ol&#8217; honest pub grub,  <a href="https://www.georgeanddragonhotel.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The George &amp; Dragon Hotel</a>, a slick inn serving up elevated, seasonal pub classics with 10 unique rooms which really embrace the 18th century charm &#8211; crooked floors and all. Just opposite you&#8217;ll find <strong>The Plough</strong>, the smallest of the three pubs, found down a narrow passage way, which used to lead to the Hell Fire Caves (an assortment of underground caverns made famous in the 18th century debauched drinking club). </p>



<p>Craft been more your jam? Run to <a href="https://www.heidrun.bar/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Heidrun Bar</a> in High Wycombe, an industrial style tap room and restaurant with an ever changing selection of beers and ciders, cocktails and delicious food.</p>



<p>Caffeine calling? Set within the historic village walls, <a href="https://www.westwycombewalledgarden.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Walled Garden</a> is a relaxed spot for a coffee pitstop and sugar fix if you&#8217;re out walking or cycling. A few miles down the road in Wycombe, There&#8217;s former Muddy winning café <a href="https://thefrontroomcoffeelounge.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Front Room</a>, and local indie pancake and waffle specialists <a href="https://www.eatattheworks.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Works</a> &#8211; catnip for your kids.</p>



<p>Serious foodies can make a beeline for Marlow 15  minutes away with its hive of Michelin starred restaurants including Tom Kerridges <a href="https://www.thecoachmarlow.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Coach</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thehandandflowers.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Hand &amp; Flowers</a>&nbsp;(the only pub in the UK to hold two stars). Atul Kochhar&#8217;s &nbsp;<a href="https://vaasurestaurant.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vaasu</a>, <a href="https://www.thechequersmarlow.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Chequers</a> and <a href="https://www.thechequersmarlow.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a><a href="http://www.royaloakmarlow.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Royal Oak</a> are all also well worth making the trip for.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SHOPPING</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="724" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/3.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-150469" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/3.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/3-800x579.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/3-400x290.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/3-725x525.jpeg 725w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Naturally, somewhere small that exists on the fringes of the 21st century like West Wycombe has a stellar local shop. Open seven days a week, the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WWVillageStore/?locale=en_GB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Village Store and Post Office</a> has been run by the same family since 1988, and it sells <em>everything</em> you could possibly need from general groceries to alcohol to toiletries to glassware to candles. The selection of other shops is small, but perfect for those one of a kind gems. <a href="https://www.theappleorchard.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Apple Orchard</a> has been around for <em>ages</em> and is packed to its original 17th century beams with gorgeous giftware &#8211; jewellery, gardening accessories, pottery, decorative interiors. A bit of a Tardis, we could happily while away a few hours in here. <a href="https://www.brownsofwestwycombe.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Browns of West Wycombe</a>, furniture designers, makers and restorers will work wonders on a reno project. </p>



<p>High Wycombe has the Eden Centre with an H&amp;M, M&amp;S, Next and Waterstones amongst the mainstream retailers, but if you need to pound some serious pavement Marlow has a clutch of independents including Fairfax &amp; Favor, Hewetts menswear, <a href="https://scampanddude.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scamp and Dude</a>,  and <a href="https://www.undimancheaparis.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Un Dimanche à Paris</a>.</p>



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



<p><a href="https://wycombeswan.co.uk/Online/default.asp?sToken=1%2Ce4412593%2C651ed978%2C1E3B2F81-FBC5-4C05-B8D8-0B971ED42872%2Cz1sGbFJ1LxwCzbCZNCjkn2YiQNI%3D&amp;BOset::WScontent::SearchResultsInfo::current_page=2&amp;doWork::WScontent::getPage=&amp;BOparam::WScontent::getPage::article_id=A46E563D-01E0-4537-A295-8F522301B855" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wycombe Swan</a> has all bases covered with comedy, theatre, screenings and music (hot tip book tickets to this year&#8217;s panto with local celebrity <a href="https://wycombeswan.co.uk/Online/panto-wycombe-buckinghamshire-pantomime" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">La Voix </a>taking a leading role). Over at Marlow&#8217;s Higginson Park (8 miles) come May, Tom Kerridge&#8217;s music and food fest, <a href="https://www.pubintheparkuk.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pub in the Park</a>, is a huge crowd pleaser.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/music-temple-west-wycombe-park-bucks-1558600.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-150464" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/music-temple-west-wycombe-park-bucks-1558600.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/music-temple-west-wycombe-park-bucks-1558600-800x450.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/music-temple-west-wycombe-park-bucks-1558600-400x225.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/music-temple-west-wycombe-park-bucks-1558600-900x507.jpeg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>West Wycombe has these in spades so it&#8217;s not surprising it&#8217;s a bit of a tourist hotspot. There is <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/west-wycombe-park-village-and-hill" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">West Wycombe Park</a> (open Sun-Thur)&nbsp;with its stunning Palladian mansion, home of the Dashwood family whose <a href="https://www.hellfirecaves.co.uk/the-mausoleum" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mausoleum</a> is also worth a gander. Found on top of Wycombe Hill (with gorgeous views to boot) is the famous <a href="https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/church/st-lawrence-west-wycombe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Lawrence Church</a> with its rare golden ball (the tower is only open on Sundays 12.30pm- 5pm). Then there&#8217;s the spooky underground caverns, <a href="https://www.hellfirecaves.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hellfire Caves</a>, to explore which naturally come alive at Halloween. </p>



<p>For those with young kids, <a href="https://www.oddsfarm.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Odds Farm Park</a> in High Wycombe will be a regular jaunt or try <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/claras-corner-high-wycombe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Clara&#8217;s Corner</a>, a kids and adults dream &#8211; a new playground, chichi soft play (yes, really) and decent coffee/wholesome kids food.  For activities, dive into <a href="https://www.fusion-lifestyle.com/centres/wycombe-rye-lido/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wycombe Lido</a> a year-round heated outdoor pool. There&#8217;s also <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WestWycombeParkPoloClub/?locale=en_GB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">West Wycombe Polo Club</a> and <a href="https://wycombeheightsgc.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wycombe Heights Golf</a> for the tee fanatic in your life. Probably most impressive are the many (many) pretty cycling and walking routes with the <a href="https://www.chilternsaonb.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chilterns AONB</a> right on the doorstep.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICE</h2>



<p>West Wycombe village average house prices are £387,467 with semi-detached properties selling for £476,734 and terraces for £366,700.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/bookercommon-1000x667.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-167272" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/bookercommon-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/bookercommon-800x534.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/bookercommon-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/bookercommon.jpeg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A spacious Four Bedroom Detached Bungalow, complete with indoor heated swimming pool, sauna, jacuzzi &amp; shower room, <a href="https://www.simmonsandsons.com/property/residential/for-sale/buckinghamshire/high-wycombe/marlow/booker-common/SSD98660">£1,195,000 </a></figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">NURSERIES&nbsp;</h2>



<p>West Wycombe families are lucky enough to have a small nursery in the village, <a href="http://www.westwycombepreschool.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">West Wycombe Preschool</a>, which takes children from 2-4 years of age and was awarded Outstanding by Ofsted in its latest inspection last year. 3 miles down the road in High Wycombe there&#8217;s <a href="https://monkeypuzzlehighwycombe.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Monkey Puzzle</a> and the larger capacity <a href="https://hungrycaterpillars.co.uk/nurseries-in-high-wycombe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hungry Caterpillars</a> nursery while <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/godstowe-school-high-wycombe-review/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Godstowe School</a> also takes children from 3 years of age, which is great if you want your child there long term.</p>



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



<p>There are lots of options school wise, with super-high-achieving <a href="https://www.wycombeabbey.com/#intro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wycombe Abbey</a> girls&#8217; boarding school on the hill approach to town. A few miles down the road there&#8217;s <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/pipers-corner-chilterns/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pipers Corner</a>, another fantastic girl&#8217;s&nbsp;offering with oodles of space and facilities and there&#8217;s an excellent girls&#8217; prep school in <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/godstowe-school-high-wycombe-review/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Godstowe</a>. There are some storming grammar schools not far away in High Wycombe and Marlow. Great Marlow School has a great rep and is a solid fit for sporty kids, Royal Grammar School&nbsp;and John Hampden boys schools, and&nbsp;Wycombe&nbsp;High&nbsp;School for girls are also great options.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p>Like a good haunting? Historic West Wycombe is your go to, with the Hellfire Clubs hosting a ghost called Suki, the Lady in White who died after an elopement gone wrong. Footsteps, cold hands, strange flickering lights in the caves have all been reported over the years. </p>



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



<p>Closest stations are Marlow (46 mins to London with a change) and High Wycombe (26 mins, direct). Driving into London takes just under an hour and a half. There&#8217;s a direct Chiltern&#8217;s Line train to Oxford from High Wycombe. </p>



<p>View the full&nbsp;<a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Top 260 Places to Live</a>.</p>


Best Places to Live: West Wycombe

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