Lifestyle
Suburban living -
the best of both worlds
The quality of life associated with outside-London living is known only to those who take the leap. The Chilterns truly offer the best of both worlds through fine dining, culture, sport and education; all within as little as 23 minutes of Central London.
History & culture
The Chiltern Valley encompasses areas of natural beauty in all directions. Nestled within are towns such as Beaconsfield, Gerrards Cross and Chalfont St Giles; home to antique shops, boutique retailers and hotels, as well as a range of award-winning Michelin starred restaurants and hotels.
Across all locations, we build you’ll see towns and villages in keeping with long-standing traditions such as weekly or monthly farmer’s markets.
Travel & transport
The Chilterns offer quick access to London via rail and road. Commuter trains take as little as 23 minutes, which is the primary reason why the area is so popular with London commuters. For international travel, Heathrow Airport is just a 20-minute drive.
Leisure & the arts
Despite being less than one hour to the centre of London, residents of The Chilterns do not have to leave in order to enjoy a wealth of theatre and creative arts experiences. Local theatre groups showcase a plethora of productions throughout the year, whilst just a stone’s throw away is the infamous Theatre Royal in Windsor.
Come summer, local open-air Shakespeare and Operatic productions can be enjoyed with a picnic, whilst the famous Henley Festival provides an unforgettable evening of music, comedy and the dramatic arts.
For children, local attractions such as the Roald Dahl Museum in Great Missenden and the model village & railway in Bekonscot provide plenty of fun for all ages.
Food & drink
The Chilterns offer a wealth of dining experiences to choose from. To name a few; world renowned Michelin starred restaurants such as the Fat Duck, owned by Heston Blumenthal, in Bray, The Hand and Flowers, owned by Tom Kerridge, in Marlow and The Artichoke in Amersham.
Alongside fine dining, the towns also offer charming high street alfresco cafes and coffee shops. Fantastic local hotels provide excellent dining and of course places for guests to stay. For example, Cliveden House, the spectacular 5 star, award-winning hotel which also offers acres of National Trust formal grounds and woodlands to enjoy with family and friends.
Countryside & nature
The Chilterns are a recognised area of outstanding beauty; close to the stunning River Thames and just a short distance to the historic towns of Marlow, Henley or Windsor. The Chiltern Hills offer enviable walking locations whilst nearby beautiful parks and woodlands can also be enjoyed.
Some of our favourite destinations to visit include Coombe Hill, Wendover Woods, The Chess Valley, Marlow Common, Stonor Park and Ivinghoe Beacon.
Sport & exercise
The river offers the opportunity to partake in sports such as rowing, canoeing, swimming and other boating related activities. Horse racing, also, is a popular sport enjoyed at the nearby Windsor and Ascot racecourses. The world-famous Royal Ascot and Royal Windsor horse racing events are attended by visitors from all over the world. Silverstone racetrack is a short distance away for some more high octane viewing.
The Chilterns and surrounding countryside offer high energy sports such as mountain biking and trail running at Aston Hill, football and rugby, as well as local cricket or lawn tennis clubs for more competitive sport.
The Chilterns are also renowned for equestrian pursuits; ride along The Ridgeway path or learn to play polo at one of the local clubs.
Three exclusive golf clubs can be found nearby; Stoke Park Country Club & Resort, The Grove Country Retreat and The Buckinghamshire Golf Club. Other events such as ‘The Boodles Tennis Challenge’ held at Stoke Park and competitive rowing at Henley Royal Regatta are staple fixtures locally.
Shopping & entertainment
Chiltern towns offer a variety of high-quality retailers, from designer fashion, to jewellery, beauty and fragrance. All locations we build in are around towns which host popular high street retailers, complemented by a range of independent and national cafes, bars and restaurants.
As well as incredible shopping opportunities, there are an abundance of luxury beauty salons and spas in the area. This is why The Chilterns is frequently picked as the perfect spot for a luxury retreat away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Schooling & higher education
Easy commutable to London and nearby towns for University and College courses, The Chilterns is also home to the National Film & Television School, which has been featured in the top 15 international film schools in the world.
The Chilterns can provide for all aspects of family life. It holds some of the best private and state schools in the area, as well as a range of popular nurseries and prep schools. A selection include:
State Grammar Schools
- Dr Challenors (Boys and Girls Schools)
- Wycombe High for Girls
- Beaconsfield High for Girls
- Royal Grammar School for Boys
Private Primary Schools
- Davenies for Boys
- Gayhurst Co-ed
- The Beacon for Boys
- High March for Girls
- Pipers Corner for Girls
Private Upper Schools
- Wycombe Abbey for Girls
- Berkhamstead Co-ed
- Merchant Taylors for Boys
- Shiplake for Boys