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Original poster

Info on Marlow, Henley, Thame, Chalfonts

356 replies

Spanielmad · 19/08/2017 22:38

Hello, we are thinking of moving into South Buckinghamshire for DH's work. Been looking at the impossible school situation already and earmarked a few areas with good (but oversubscribed) secondary schools.
Before I drive over to visit the area (we are a few hours away) I need to narrow down which towns we might like, as I can't visit them all in a day or two.

We like to be near or on the outskirts of a small town with stuff for my kids (young teen boys) such as a leisure centre, sports clubs, we like hiking in the hills/woods, I'd like a nice town with boutique shops, cafes, art galleries, art clubs etc. Low crime and peaceful would be good too- goes without saying.

Can anyone tell me anything about these towns? What are they like? I already know most of them are pricey- but would like to know more about atmosphere, crime, shops etc....
I have only done online research so far.

Henley,
Shiplake,
Marlow (my fav at the moment but hard to find a house),
Chalfont St Peter,
Chesham,
Thame.

Any thoughts very welcome!! Thank you

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Original poster
Spanielmad · 22/08/2017 22:54

going to watch Marlow houses closely - stuff might come up, like on Gypsy Lane or Marlow Bottom, or outside of town towards Frieth, Hambleden.
Must keep an eye out for lots of schools that are 'good' and a reasonable distance away as if we get refused (which seems likely) for GMS and Borlase we need to have a list of good alternatives.

Alternatively, Oxfordshire: Thame, Henley, Shiplake, Chalfonts, GerrardsX and I suppose we could look in Chorleywood, or go mad and as far as Harpenden or the other way towards Sandhurst... don't know any of those areas either though so not sure its worth the research.

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Ollycat · 22/08/2017 22:50

I'd also look at this - fab location

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-67217693.html

Marlowmarlowmarlow · 22/08/2017 22:40

Gypsy Lane is a lovely road, single track for the top half of it, tree lined at one side houses at the other. It was quite an exclusive road if I remember correctly.

fluffypenguinbelly · 22/08/2017 22:40

I'd say that Oak Tree Avenue one is pretty good value for money in Marlow which implies that Marlow isn't going to give you a big enough house for your budget!

It's the schools that are really screwing you over. Especially if you aren't willing to go single sex. I think you need to be looking outside of Bucks.

Original poster
Spanielmad · 22/08/2017 22:39

no neighbours, that's the thing - would feel a bit lonely. I work from home... and although I need a lot of space (which it has). mmm, not sure. It isn't the prettiest either. and if the dog ever escapes and crossed the road...:( that said, its the biggest house I've seen...

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Original poster
Spanielmad · 22/08/2017 22:37

LOL -that's good!!

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fluffypenguinbelly · 22/08/2017 22:36

That brick and flint one in Lane End isn't just on a busy road. It's on a 60 mile an hour busy road on a corner on a hill. Not possible to walk at all and I would fear for my life pulling out onto that road. Also no neighbours at all.

Original poster
Spanielmad · 22/08/2017 22:36

yes the Oak tree avenue house (which had a sold sign on it but it disappeared again) seems a lovely location. and I love the look of the house. All perfect but I doubt it has enough space for us. We'd have to down-size... (we need a lot of space for all sorts of reasons, greedy lot we are)

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Ollycat · 22/08/2017 22:35

Spanielmad hopefully not causing trouble as my ds and his friends often go there!

fluffypenguinbelly · 22/08/2017 22:34

That Oak Tree Road house is fab. Perfect in fact. The more I think about it the more you need to be in Marlow I think. This house is walkable but far enough away to not get too much traffic. Lots of options to get to Stoke Poges.

Schools are a complete bugger. My opinion is that if my children didn't pass I'd rather that I had the option to send them out of grammar school catchment to a 'normal secondary school'. That way they wouldn't have had the top 10-20% creamed off to grammar school like at GMS.

Original poster
Spanielmad · 22/08/2017 22:34

ugh, we're posting too fast. The TINY house was the one on Frieth Road.

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Ollycat · 22/08/2017 22:34

I wouldn't live in West Wycombe- Wheeler End (close by) much nicer.

Oak Tree Ave - popular family non through road with big green in the middle.

Marlowmarlowmarlow · 22/08/2017 22:34

Spaniel you mean you didn't love the wood clad kitchen on my one?!?! I picked it mainly due to location, you could do the improvements over time if it is big enough.

Original poster
Spanielmad · 22/08/2017 22:33

yep Gypsy Lane on my short list too - is under offer though and it is not a very big house - lots of small rooms...but maybe...

young teens not causing trouble? just playing I hope?
Backing onto woods sounds good....we (obviously, see my name) have a spaniel who would appreciate that....

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Original poster
Spanielmad · 22/08/2017 22:31

That road would be great...but that house is TINY. seems all other houses on that road all a few million each...

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Ollycat · 22/08/2017 22:31

Gypsy Lane backs onto woods - loads of young teens play up there on the rope swing.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-66199835.html

Original poster
Spanielmad · 22/08/2017 22:30

ah, good to know it is a busy road. We'd have to drive everywhere. Big nice houses always seem to be on busy roads.....grrr...still I haven't discounted it as its one of the biggest houses I've seen within budget. And the boys would be happy to be allowed to play football in the garden without ruining the plants! Grin

The one Marlowmarlowetc posted is on my list as well, but it requires work and I fear it isn't big enough (we'd have to compromise on space to be able to be in Marlow - one to think about). Perhaps possible to extend (when the lottery coughs up) but that would be at the expense of garden. maybe.

West Wycombe? any good mixed uppers there?
Wycombe is in the book 'worst places to live' (or something in that line) he he....

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Ollycat · 22/08/2017 22:24

This is not a pretty house but good location

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-67396673.html

Kids could cycle to town (and there's a school bus)

Original poster
Spanielmad · 22/08/2017 22:24

ooooh boys can play badminton and I can go shopping?? Fluffypenguin, it sounds perfect! LOL Grin

I am confident about my boys academic skills but NOT about these scary tests. We've never even seen an 11+ test and they were never tutored or anything. I don't want single sex schools so that leaves us Borlase, Chesham and Burham, Henry Floyd. Am not sure how much I should want it or risk it.... If they don't pass there has to be a good upper as an alternative that offers great academic possibilities ....

ah, see! From Thame it would be more than half an hour to Stoke Poges. DH wouldn't leave before 7 so he'd be in rush hour traffic. I think he's willing to commute up to an hour (especially if it means good schools and a nice house) but I think the closer the better.

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Oncewaswho · 22/08/2017 22:22

What about West Wycombe? I've been following this thread and nodding as I lived and worked in this area a long time ago but no info about schools.

Marlowmarlowmarlow · 22/08/2017 22:22

Sorry cross posted with lots!

I agree Ollycat about that house you linked. Lovely house but really shit location especially with teenagers.

Ollycat · 22/08/2017 22:20

fluffypenguinbelly I was going to say it was by Asda - you put a much better spin on it!!

OP the house is lovely but in a tricky spot by the road (road fast there) - you couldn't walk to Lane End unfortunately as no pavement.

Marlowmarlowmarlow · 22/08/2017 22:20

I would have this one if I were looking in Marlow at your budget OP.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-60497764.html

(Old user name but I grew up in Marlow, it was lovely. Happily settled elsewhere now due to work but I enjoyed it when we were there.)

I wouldn't worry so much about single sex schools. I went to Wycombe High and would chose to send my DSs to single sex grammar school if they existed in our part of the country.

Interested to hear Great Marlow is good these days, it wasn't highly thought of in my days.

Like others I would definitely pick Marlow over Henley. I also agree that Marlow is great for 'nice' shopping but Wycombe is. A lot more practical for standard shopping.

Glad to now be living somewhere less busy and with less traffic though, I do notice it when we go back.

Original poster
Spanielmad · 22/08/2017 22:19

No houses for sale in our price bracket/wish list in Flackwell Heath. In catchment of Highcrest...(is that any good?)

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Original poster
Spanielmad · 22/08/2017 22:16

Ollycat, that house is on our fav list! Garden TOO big but hubby is drooling (no way he can maintain that much land, we'll need some sheep to keep the grass short, LOL). Bit lonely maybe. Dunno. would actually go and see it.

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