The picturesque old town, full of fine Georgian buildings was originally developed to serve coaching traffic en route to Oxford, and still retains its age-old charm. A friendly and welcoming Tuesday market and the annual fair, which has been held in May for over 735 years, help preserve the village atmosphere.
A very prosperous town, Beaconsfield is home to Bekonscot model village, the oldest model village in the world, and The National Film and Television School. The county has always been a great draw, with a very well-regarded selective grammar school educational system, complemented by a wide range of independent schools.
Beaconsfield is located within easy reach of the M40 and M25 motorways and its proximity to London make the town ideally situated for commuters. There are many pretty market towns in the area including Princes Risborough, Amersham, Gerrards Cross and Berkhamsted, with some wonderful countryside and attractive stretches of the River Thames. The most popular towns are well-known for their restaurants and bistros, and these are complemented with historic gastro pubs and traditional inns throughout the villages. For those wishing for a quieter life, pretty villages in the Chiltern Hills are close at hand, many adjoining open countryside offering delightful views and numerous walks and rides.
Property available in Beaconsfield
Whether you are looking for a large town house with good access to train stations, a pretty period country cottage, or a large manor house with beautiful views of the Buckinghamshire countryside, Knight Frank can find the property that is right for you.
History
Originally spelt Bekenesfeld, derived from “clearing in the beeches”, the first written reference to Beaconsfield dates back to 1185. The town, thought to be of Saxon origin came under the feudal authority in 1255 when King Henry III granted his brother, Richard, Earl of Cornwall, the right to hold a market in the Manor of Beaconsfield on Tuesday of every week.
In the 17th Century the town’s prosperity grew due to the coaching trade. Beaconsfield was an ideal place for coaches to stop en route from London to rest themselves and horses, however many travellers were robbed of their money and possessions by highwaymen. Evidence of such activities can be found in local place names such as Cut Throat Wood and Highwayman’s Farm.
Buckinghamshire has had many famous inhabitants and visitors, perhaps the most notable being Oliver Cromwell, William Penn, Sir Francis Dashwood, Florence Nightingale, Benjamin Disraeli, the Rothschilds and Sir John Mills. Buckinghamshire has also had many literary connections with, most notably, John Milton, Mary Shelley, T. S. Eliot, Roald Dahl, Kenneth Grahame and Enid Blyton.
Film and television connections to the area include Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves, having parts filmed in Burnham Beeches, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Inspector Morse, Vicar of Dibley and Midsomer Murders.