Marlow, a picturesque market town in Buckinghamshire under an hour from London, has been named one of the UK's best high streets, boasting dozens of independent shops. According to estate agents Knight Frank, the town where Mary Shelley finished writing Frankenstein ranks top of homebuyers' most-desired spots for shopping.
Independent Retailers Thrive in Marlow
The high street, leading to a historic suspension bridge over the River Thames and adjacent to Higginson Park, offers a mix of recognisable names and local businesses. Shops like Creative Collective gift shop support small businesses with items from local artists, while Marlow Antiques, Nook, and Repertoire (a men's retailer since 1996) are among the many independents. Others include Susie Watson Designs, The Marlow Bookshop, Twenty Three Living, URU Home, and Saddle Safari, plus local pubs, cafes, galleries, and salons.
Appeal to Homebuyers and Visitors
Matt Davies, partner at Knight Frank, noted that younger buyers are also drawn by Marlow's "outstanding educational institutions," including Sir William Borlase's Grammar School. Visitors have praised the town on Google reviews, with one saying: "Marlow feels like a movie scene come to life. Walking across the iconic suspension bridge and along the Thames was simply magical." Another added: "Lovely little town on the Thames. Nice to see a thriving high street as these are dying out in the UK."
