Just 50 minutes on the train from London's Marylebone lies Wendover, a modern market town that might tempt you to finally move out of the city. 'For those looking to leave the capital without compromising on connectivity or lifestyle, Wendover continues to rank among Buckinghamshire's most sought-after locations,' Verona Frankish, CEO of estate agent platform Yopa tells Metro. 'Its combination of excellent transport links, outstanding countryside, good schools, and a thriving community gives it a lasting appeal that continues to attract strong buyer demand.'
Last year, the average home in Wendover commanded a selling price of £600,152, according to the latest Rightmove data. Admittedly, that's pretty high against the UK average of £372,359, but compared to London's average of £670,067, you stand to save a sweet £70,000. And that's not all you gain. Wendover sits at the foot of the Chiltern Hills, giving you easy access to idyllic countryside every weekend. Plus, there's a high street that's retained its independent character when so many across the country have struggled.
What's on the high street?
The heart of Wendover is its historic high street, which is overlooked by its Victorian clock tower but has managed to move with the times. The local butchers, for example, is a trendy spot called Block & Butcher, run by the sort of knowledgeable hipsters you'd expect to find in the city. There's also an artisan cheese and wine shop, No. 9 Pound Street, where equally enthusiastic young staff will talk you through the locally sourced options, while you sample a tasting board with a glass or two on the terrace.
If that wasn't quintessentially British enough for you, there's a posh chocolate shop on the corner, Rumsey's Chocolaterie, which you'll want your credit card for, unless you're shameless enough to hover for a free sample. Alongside these foodie delights there's a handful of boutique shops to tempt you in. No 1 Wendover stocks gifts and homeware clearly collated by an owner with exceptional taste. And for clothes, you'll find classy gent's attire at Andrew Gardner or a selection of womenswear at Brookes. History lovers will adore Antiques at Wendover, which is located in a gloriously wonky 16th century building and is full of fascinating trinkets.
For practical purposes, there's also a library, post office and community swimming pool, plus a Tesco Express and Asda within a 10-minute drive. Just up the road, the Blue Diamond garden centre has two cafes to choose from, plus an aquarium shop next door that is very accommodating to parents with small, fascinated children.
Food and drink
For a small town, there's plenty of choice. The Thai restaurant within The George & Dragon pub gets our vote for brilliantly flavoured food in a surprising setting. For Spanish cuisine there's Tres Corazones and for Turkish dishes, try Istanbul Mezze and Grill bar. If you're looking for a traditional British pub, you can't go wrong with the Red Lion. Or for something a little more modern, Craftyard serves 10 craft beer taps and over 70 gins, with a lovely garden. Crumbs cafe serves hearty breakfasts and lunches, Bread and Brew has a decent iced latte, but Lady Grey Tearoom is top for a cute aesthetic, with lots of sweet treats in a shabby chic setting.
The great outdoors
Wendover's Chiltern's location means you're never far from a public footpath and a good walk. Coombe Hill is a local favourite, which isn't particularly challenging but offers impressive views across Aylesbury Vale. The real jewel in the crown though is Wendover Woods, a stunning woodland maintained by Forestry England with buggy and wheelchair-friendly trails, or the option to get lost off the beaten track. Younger children will love the Gruffalo trail and you'll struggle to pull older children away from Go Ape. There's also a cafe, plus lots of fitness groups ranging from yoga and Tai Chi to Parkrun.
What's the transport like?
An annual season ticket from the station to London Terminals will currently set you back £4,236 with Chiltern Railway. But the big talk of the town is HS2. The high speed railway will run alongside Wendover, without immediate connectivity to the town's station. The disruption is a bit of a sore point among locals, and there have been protests at the construction site.
How do house prices compare?
As mentioned, the average home still goes for well above the UK average at £600,152. The majority of properties sold in Wendover during the last year were semi-detached properties, selling for an average price of £575,301. Detached properties sold for an average of £896,789, with terraced properties fetching £426,821. Despite the high figures, Verona still believes the town 'strikes an attractive balance between premium living and relative value'. 'Following annual growth of around 2%, it remains more affordable than nearby Amersham, where values approach £780,000, whilst offering many of the same qualities that buyers are prepared to pay a premium for,' she says.
What do locals think of the area?
I live around 20 minutes from Wendover and am drawn to the town regularly. The mix of independent shops makes it a great place for gift shopping, where you know you'll find something different. On social media, residents have also left strong reviews. 'Lived in Wendover my whole life, won't ever leave,' said one woman, Carrie, on Reddit. 'Yes the Tories got rid of our police station sadly but aside from this there's so many gorgeous walks, the people are lovely, the shops are clean if a little dear, but it's a beautiful place to bring children up.'
