Cookham in Berkshire, on the Buckinghamshire border, has been named one of the most desirable villages in England, with not a single empty shop on its high street. The picturesque village was featured in The Sunday Times Best Places to Live 2026 guide, one of only 11 locations in the South East to make the final cut.
A village with a thousand-year history
Cookham's story stretches back more than a thousand years. The village was recorded in the Domesday Book in 1086 as Cocheham, by which time the settlement already had villagers, mills, fisheries, and extensive woodland. Excavations over the years have uncovered evidence suggesting the eighth-century religious community may have operated as an early centre of care for the sick, with discoveries including human remains, buildings and wells.
While it has a modern reputation for busy pubs and plenty of eateries, it was once an important religious and economic centre.
Riverside walks and artistic heritage
One of the biggest attractions of living in Cookham is the River Thames. A stroll towards Bourne End or towards the Lock is a lovely walk, especially on a warm summer's day. For longer walks, the surrounding countryside opens up towards Cookham Moor, Cock Marsh and Winter Hill.
Cookham's artistic heritage is another reason it stands apart. The village was the lifelong inspiration of British artist Sir Stanley Spencer, who was born here in 1891. He described the village as a “Village in Heaven”, and its streets, landscapes and residents became central to his work. The Stanley Spencer gallery, housed in the former Methodist chapel, celebrates his connection with the village.
Food, drink and local attractions
Cookham punches above its weight when it comes to places to eat and drink. At the centre of the village is Bel & The Dragon, a historic coaching inn on the High Street, over 600 years old, offering food like its Sunday roast dinner or its pizza truck in the back garden. The Ferry is another notable destination, situated right on the Thames, offering a variety of food from fish to pizza to burgers. Kings Arms Cookham is on the high street, while The White Oak and The Old Swan Uppers are other options.
Independent shops include Parea Artisan Cafe & Delisserie and the Teapot Tea Shop. For residents, this variety helps give Cookham a genuine village community feel. You can have breakfast locally, walk beside the river, meet friends for lunch and finish the day in a pub without ever having to leave the village. That's why Cookham has an average house price of £866,722, with the current most expensive house on the market for £5 million.
Nearby attractions include Cliveden, offering extensive National Trust gardens, and the Chiltern countryside provides countless walking opportunities, while neighbouring Marlow and Maidenhead offer additional shops, restaurants and amenities.
