About Beaconsfield

Beaconsfield

Named by the Daily Telegraph in 2008 as ‘Britains richest town’ based on average house prices of £700k plus.

With places like High Wycombe ,Chalfont St Giles, Cookham and Marlow within a short driving distance it’s easy to see why the town of Beaconsfield is truly blessed in its’ location. The stunning Chiltern countryside and neighbouring villages with fabulous amenities make for a very privileged life experience. Just 20 minutes from London makes it the perfect place to commute or just visit if you require a break from the natural gorgeous countryside?

HISTORY

Originally known as ‘Bekenesfeld’ this very old picturesque market town set on the East Flank of the Chilterns. With a rich history which can be seen in the buildings and architecture, dating back as far as 1185. It lies within the civil parish and authority of Buckinghamshire. Adding to this the new town has seen significant growth to encourage homes built to the very highest quality. One of the most sought after locations in the UK to live and for very good reason- properties in Beaconsfield will always command a premium price. In the Victorian era the town was the home constituency of Benjamin Disraeli, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in 1868 and then again from 1874 until 1880 (in fact his home, Hughenden Manor is in the nearby town of High Wycombe).

This little town is divided into the old and the new. The ‘Old Town’ presents a well-kept and gracious main street with some interesting shops and pubs, while the compact little ‘new town’ is also a pleasant place for browsing.

The town is located on Junction 2 of the M40 less than 25 miles north west of the centre of London. The town’s train station is served by Chiltern . Railways who run regular trains from Birmingham Snow Hill to London Marylebone. A well-heeled town in Buckinghamshire on the east flank of the Chiltern Hills, Beaconsfield has a new and old part. The Old Town to the south is at a crossroads, and each of the broad converging streets is fronted by rows of Georgian brick facades, old coaching inns and mock-Tudor houses. This is the cultured setting for a market on Tuesdays, as well as pubs, a cosmopolitan line-up of restaurants and one-of-a-kind shops. In the new town by the train station is the oldest model village in the world, founded in 1929, while the Royal Standard of England Pub claims to be the oldest free house in the UK. You can plan days out at museums, open farms and National Trust properties like Cliveden, and in June the Chiltern Shakespeare Company performs in the open air at the beautiful Hall Barn estate.

Old Beaconsfield, to the south of the new settlement, is a fine piece of old-fashioned rural England, complete with a parish church, a green, pubs and tea rooms. The centrepiece is crossroads where the London, Windsor, Wycombe and Aylesbury “Ends meet”. What will hit you is how wide these roads are, a holdover from the time that drovers marched livestock by the thousands to the town and on to London. The flat brick frontages in Old Beaconsfield are Georgian, some concealing far older properties, alongside some pretty mock Tudor and neo-Georgian houses.

Within a stone’s throw of the capital, Beaconsfield may top ‘most expensive’ lists, but the period properties, nearby country walks and good gastro scene make it a corker.

FAMOUS RESIDENTS

Beaconsfield and the surrounding area has been a home to writers, celebrities, athletes, academics, artists and common or garden members of the upper-crust for generations. Here are a few notable names you may or may not know..

James Corden (born 1978) actor and TV presenter, lived in Beaconsfield until 2009. Sir Terry Pratchett (1948–2015) – writer, was born and brought up in Beaconsfield.

Famous names in Beaconsfield and surrounding areas

Enid Blyton (1897–1968) – writer who lived for most of her life in Green Hedges. Noted for creating the Famous Five, Noddy and Big ears and many more childrens favourites G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) – writer, is buried in Beaconsfield. There is a blue plaque on his former home in Burkes Road. Benjamin Disraeli (1804–1881) – Prime Minister of the United Kingdom twice between 1868 and 1880 was created Earl of Beaconsfield by Queen Victoria in 1876 Peter Jones (born 1966) – entrepreneur and star of Dragon’s Den lives in Beaconsfield with his wife and children. Sir Terry Pratchett (1948–2015) – writer, was born and brought up in Beaconsfield. Bert Weedon (1920–2012) – guitarist Piers Paul Read (born 1941) – novelist and non-fiction author, was born in Beaconsfield. Anne Main (born 1957) – former MP for St Albans, Hertfordshire, is from Beaconsfield originally. James Corden (born 1978) – actor and TV presenter, lived in Beaconsfield until 2009. Molly Templeton (born 1989) – grew up in the town, before achieving fame on YouTube. Zoë Ball (born 1970) – TV presenter, grew up in Beaconsfield. Robert Frost (1874–1963) poet, moved to Beaconsfield with his family in 1912. Chris Harris (born 1975) – automotive journalist and automotive racing driver, was born in Beaconsfield. Piers Paul Read (born 1941) – novelist and non-fiction author, was born in Beaconsfield.

Schools & Nurseries

Where our children spend most of their weekdays and how they are being educated is a decision which should take some serious consideration. We have put together this list to make your life a little bit easier. Most local schools and nurseries offer free tours so please go and visit your preffered options before making that final important decision.

Beaconsfield High School Dropmore Infant school is a centre of excellence for education and be- Infant school mixed age 4-7 yond, an establishment dedicated to discover- Littleworth Road ing and developing the abundance of individu- Burnham, al potential within its modern, diverse, inclusive SL1 8PF and dynamic community. 01753 644403 Secondary school -Mixed www.dropmoreinfant.eschools.co.uk Age 11-18 Wattleton Rd Burnham Grammar School 01494 673043 Mixed age 11-18 www.beaconsfieldhigh.bucks.sch.uk Hogfair Lane Alfriston School SL1 7HG Boarding available 3 nights a week and special 01628 604812 encouragement within 4 houses with a points www.burnhamgrammar.org.uk system for achievement on all levels .. Special education school Girls only 11-18 Foxes Piece School Penn Rd Mixed age 4-11 01494 673740 Newfield Road, www.alfristonschool.com Marlow Holtspur School 01628 483455 They are a friendly, single form entry school in www.foxespiece.co.uk Beaconsfield, at the heart of the community of Holtspur and are fortunate to have excellent Iver Heath Infant School and Nursery grounds and facilities, with a Children’s Centre Mixed age 3-7 and a Pre-School on site. Slough Road, Primary school and pre school age 4-11 Iver Cherry Tree Rd SL0 0DT 01494 674325 01753 652262 www.holtspursch.co.uk www.iverheath-inf.bucks.sch.uk

Little Oaks Beaconsfield The Gerrards Cross CofE School The first step from home; a happy and enjoya- Mixed age 4-11 ble experience; a place to flourish and grow; a Moreland Drive chance to have fun and make friends’ Staff en- Gerrards Cross gage children’s interests well and encourage SL9 8BD them to participate in a good range of activities. 01753 882731 They help children learn to play alongside oth- www.gerrardscross.bucks.sch.uk ers, to share and take turns in games.

Nursery school Mixed age 2 upwards Saint Michaels Church Hall, St Michael’s Green 01494 671228 www.little-oaks.org

Butlers Court School Primary school Mixed age 4-11 Wattleton Road Beaconsfield HP9 1RW 01494 673538 Slough SL7 1JW

Interview with Andrew Sweeney

Concierge Property Maintenance believes that everyone deserves to live and work in a comfortable and pleasing environment. We have a team of qualified craftsmen’s goal is to fulfil your property needs and requirements.

Tell us a little about ‘Concierge Property Maintenance’ it’s not your average renovation firm is it? Well the first thing to say is that we’re a Beaconsfield firm and look after some of the most prestigious homes in and around Buckinghamshire and Greater London. We also look after and maintain the homes of some of the most recognisable faces on TV and professional sport through our exclusive Concierge ‘Premier’ membership club. We offer a range of services from a handyman service to large building works. Our team genuinely cares about each client and treats every property as if it were our own.

What type of projects have you been working on recently? Concierge undertakes a wide range of internal and external jobs including small jobs like building shelves and storage, or larger projects like new builds, extensions, and bathrooms. We also do routine house maintenance and upkeep like carpentry, painting and decorating, flooring, plumbing, electrical works, CCTV & Alarm services.

Have your client’s building project requests changed since Covid? As people have been spending more time in their homes, their property requirements have shifted - many clients have been investing in home gyms, offices, home cinemas, indoor pools, personal golf studios and indoor boxing rings. Concierge’s aim is to make your home the ultimate haven and can deliver anything you can dream up.

Do you work with investors and landlords? Absolutely- we work with many landlords and business owners. We take the stress and hassle away from any type of property maintenance or building project and will deliver the highest standard of work every time. We are available to sort out emergencies promptly such as fixing leaks, broken boilers, and dishwashers as well as offer a personal key holding service as well.

Looking back, is there a job that you are most proud of? One of my favourite projects was the White Leaf extension and refurbishment project. See attached information and pictures regarding WhiteLeaf

Are you happy to give appraisals to Hamptons clients before they exchange? Yes very happy to give appraisals to Hamptons clients

Concierge Property Maintenance Kings Head House, 15 London End, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, HP9 2HN Tel: 01494 702099 Email: hello@conciergepropertymaintenance.co.uk