Property news Edited by Arabella Youens The charms of the Chilterns It’s arguably the best bit of proper countryside that you hit as you head out of London, but what are the most attractive villages to look out for? Arabella Youens asks the agents

he Chilterns are book-ended by two highly popular market T towns: Henley-on-Thames to the south and Berkhamsted to the north. ‘Both are attractive, but they attract a different sort of buyer,’ says Nick Mead of The Buying Solution (01488 657912). ‘Berkhamsted has become increasingly attractive over the past few years as it offers an easy commute into London Euston (about 30 minutes) as well as access to the excellent grammar schools in Bucking- hamshire. If, however, you’re planning to commute to the City from Henley, it’s going to be emotional: you’re not going to see your children during the week—that is, until Crossrail opens.’ The visibility of the ‘Crossrail effect’ on the southern end of the Chilterns has suddenly become ‘rather obvious’, says Nick Hole- The Hambleden villages. ‘It’s very beautiful country- to be in Mayfair within an hour, the Jones of Hamptons International in valley is one side and one of the reasons for this Hambleden valley is where to go.’ Beaconsfield (01494 672969). Once of the most is the lack of houses. This, in turn, North of the M40 has been trickier they’re operational in 2019, Crossrail desirable areas means it holds some of the most in recent years, with HS2 looming. services are expected to serve in the Chilterns expensive properties close to London ‘It’s definitely something that buyers Maidenhead on a four-trains-per- as it is both after the Home Counties.’ need to be aware of, but a lot of it is hour basis, with two of these services picturesque Mr Mead calls this southern end now going to be in tunnels, so the continuing to Reading via Twyford. and accessible of the Chilterns ‘cosmopolitan country- shadow has rather subsided,’ says ‘In a few years’ time, it means you’ll from London side’, with Henley and Marlow having Mr Hole-Jones. be able to live in the pretty villages an established name in international According to Nick Pounce of Savills of the southern end of the Chilterns circles as foodie heavens (boasting in (01494 725636), the most and commute easily into the City a number of Michelin-starred res- coveted villages towards the northern without having to change trains.’ taurants), which attract a wider end of the Chilterns are the Chalfonts, Although most agents agree that buying crowd in their wake. Coleshill and Penn, ‘however, many the Chilterns has no equivalent to the ‘It’s never going to be like the buyers will focus their search on the Cotswolds hotspot of the ‘Daylesford Cotswolds as Chilterners always have centres around Amersham and triangle’, the two standout areas are one eye towards London—it’s about Beaconsfield so they’re in easy reach the valleys of Hambleden and Stonor. function over form rather than the of the commuter links’. According to James Shaw of buying other way around,’ adds Mr Mead. Mr Pounce has seen an increase agency Prime Purchase (01608 ‘I have lots of clients who ask me to in buyers coming out of London into 810662), Hambleden—where Band find a Georgian house within an hour his area searching for a classic five- of Brothers and Chitty Chitty Bang from London. Forget it! But if you bedroom family house with a garden: Bang were filmed—is where you pay want a brick-and-flint farmhouse and ‘Buyers are aware that, after the a premium as it’s the first real bit boom of London prices, now really of countryside you reach as you head Need to know • Great Haseley could be the last chance to maximise out of London. He particularly and Little Haseley on this once-in-a-lifetime value gap.’ recommends The Quince Tree farm Classic Chilterns • Great Milton The area also has good staying power: shop in Stonor. villages and Little ‘Although upsizers from the local Ed Sugden of Savills (020–7409 • Hambleden Milton area and London account for about 8885), who looks after this patch, agrees • Stonor (with its pub and 60% of the market, about 10% of buyers and adds the villages of Skirmett and farm shop The Quince Tree) are looking to downsize within the Fingest, both of which have provided • Skirmett area after their children have flown backdrops for the television shows • Fingest the nest. Amersham Old Town—with The Vicar of Dibley and Midsomer • Turville (for its pub, The its shops, pubs and restaurants— Bull & Butcher) Robert Stainforth/Alamy; Roger Bamber/AlamyMurders, to the list of prettiest is a popular choice.’

86 Country Life, March 25, 2015 www.countrylife.co.uk Property news

In the Chilterns

Buckinghamshire, £1.25 million Linaver Farm, Knight Frank (01494 675368) This farmhouse represents a won- derful opportunity for someone looking to take on a project. It’s in need of modernisation, but there’s plenty of scope for transforming it into a single family home or a house with a separate annexe. Rural idyll 30 miles from central London , £3.25 million Spencers Farm, Whelpley Hill 6 bedrooms, 5 stables, pool, summer house, 7½ acres Knight Frank (020–7861 5026) Just three miles from Berkhamsted, Grade II-listed Spencers Farm is surrounded by its own land and open countryside. It has a large kitchen/breakfast room with an Aga, several good-sized reception rooms and a games room, which could double up as a gym.

Buckinghamshire, £1.65 million Ballinger Lodge, Savills (01494 725636) This four-bedroom house comes with a swimming pool and a four- acre garden. There’s a Mark Wilkin- son kitchen, a large and well-lit drawing room and a versatile annexe. Outside is a stable block.

Oxfordshire, £2 million Nottwood Cottage, Newnham Hill Perfect for future Crossrail commuters Hamptons International Berkshire, £2.75 million (01491 693781) Baileys, West End This five-bedroom house is on 3 bedroom main house, three-bedroom guest house, staff annexe, pool a no-through road surrounded Hamptons International (01628 622131) by countryside. It has a large kitchen/ Just two miles from Twyford Station (on the Crossrail network when it opens in 2019), Baileys is a well- breakfast room with an Aga and presented Grade-II listed house in 2.4 acres. Both the main and guest houses have bespoke kitchens, a garden of just over half an acre. sophisticated lighting and sound systems. Outside is a hard tennis court and a swimming pool.

88 Country Life, March 25, 2015 www.countrylife.co.uk