Nice villages near Maidenhead?

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I grew up in Maidenhead in the 80s and 90s, and am considering a move back to the area. However, I'd much prefer to live in one of the villages nearby rather than Maidenhead itself - but I'm a bit out of date with where is nice! I have friends in Cookham but that is probably out of our budget. Other friends and family are in the west of Maidenhead.

Ideally looking for up to £700k for a 3-bed house with garden (I know it might be tight on this budget). We have one DC (aged 2) so decent state schools are important too.

Any suggestions? Somewhere with a train station would be ideal. I used to love Marlow and Henley. Is Bourne End still nice? Any other suggestions? Might also consider villages near Reading but don't know those very well.

Very grateful for any help!

Burnham?

Bourne End is still lovely. Twyford has a station and is in between Reading and Maidenhead.

Cookham, Bray and Littlewick Green are lovely but £££

Sonning, Berkshire. Henley-on-Thames is gorgeous too!

You need to think about where you want to be able to get to easily as well. The traffic on and leading onto the A404 and M4 can be horrific.

If you take the A404 and M4 as an upside-down T, live in the third you mainly want to be able to access. Don't consign yourself to having to cross thirds for work!

@Hairbrush123 ooh, Sonning, good suggestion.

@dannydyerismydad Thank you, might have a more thorough look at Bourne End, it seems a bit cheaper than Cookham. Littlewick Green is GORGEOUS but yes, probably out of budget!

@Shapesorted is Burnham nice? Really don't know it, I just think of the giant car boot sale that used to be near there...

Sonning is so pretty, but it also has a one way bridge controlled by lights getting cars in and out of Reading. It's solid traffic jams in both directions for 3 or 4 hours a day.

Burnham has plus points. Close to Burnham Beeches and Black Park which are perfect for wearing out small children. We live in the West Country now, but still miss Burnham Beeches. If you join the National Trust you can also use Cliveden as an extension to your back garden- it has two excellent playgrounds.

It has a nice grammar school. However, not such great choices if you don't get the grammar. It has a nice town hall and a library, both of which run things for kids.

It's not particularly beautiful, but no worse than Bourne End.

You made me go house shopping!

This needs work, but it's an an amazing spot. Being able to walk onto Burnham Beeches would be brilliant!

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/110761088#/?channel=RES_BUY

I know your DC is only 2 but consider now whether you want to be in the 11+ system or not. All of Bucks is as are areas of Berks.