More and more London-based people are moving to the Home Counties - and for a good reason too. With open, green spaces, quaint villages and, arguably, a better way of living, could you be about to join them in moving to Buckinghamshire?

The county commonly known as Bucks is home to sprawling countrysides, open woodlands and areas of natural beauty. It also has one of the highest qualities of life in the country and often boasts the best education results in the country.

So, regardless of if you're moving to Buckinghamshire to raise a family, escape from the inner-city way of life, or you're just looking to start fresh, Buckinghamshire is a great place for you to call home.

What can I do in Buckinghamshire? Buckinghamshire is part of the Metropolitan Green Belt around London, which means that it can claim to have a lot of open spaces for you to explore. Why not go for a walk - or cycle - in the Chiltern Hills? The Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty covers 324 square miles of countryside, stretching from the River Thames in southern Oxfordshire up through Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire to Hitchin in Hertfordshire.

Typically, people are drawn to Bucks for a quieter life - with Chequers, the serving Prime Minister's country house, the most notable example of this. Whilst here, you would almost be remiss not to capitalise on the open spaces synonymous with the region. Why not pass the time by discovering picturesque villages such as Marlow, Bledlow, Fingest and Hambleden? Or visit some of the historic houses in the county, such as Waddesdon Manor, West Wycombe Park and Cliveden.

Buckinghamshire has played a large part in England's history, with many well-known names and faces passing through the region over the years. Who knows how many people have travelled along Britain's oldest road, The Ridgeway? It could even be argued that the Second World War was won right here in this region, with Bletchley Park - the codebreaking hub made famous by Alan Turing and co. - located in Milton Keynes.

Roald Dahl also spent a lot of time in Bucks, famously living in Gipsy House, Great Missenden. Many local features and characters appear in his works. Head over to the Museum and Story Centre in the village to immerse yourself in his works

Fast Thrills?

One of the biggest draws of Buckinghamshire is the internationally known racetrack, Silverstone Circuit, which straddles the border between the county and Northamptonshire. But, sport in the region isn't limited to racing, as the Adams Park Stadium in the south and Stadium MK in the north are two notable football stadiums.

The Olympics also reached the area as part of the 2012 Summer Games, with Dorney Lake (temporarily renamed 'Eton Dorney') used as the rowing venue. Another notable inclusion would be Milton Keynes’ Xscape centre - home to a cinema, indoor skydiving, bars, restaurants and a slope with real snow - thrills are never far away.

As is expected with property prices in the South, a move to Buckinghamshire will come with a considerable cost. Properties in 2021 sold for an average price of £488,253. Whilst this may seem lofty already, it's also seen a 7% rise compared to the previous year, according to Rightmove.

On average, semi-detached properties sell for £408,795, whilst terraced properties sell for £333,772. Are you looking for something with a bit more space? Detached properties sold for an average of £743,800.

What can I do in Milton Keynes?

Milton Keynes may be known for it’s crazy amount of roundabouts, but there’s so much more there to do than drive around those! You’ve got Bletchley Park where you can help to crack WWII codes and discover how intelligence helped the Allied cause, Xscape where you can go skiing on realist snow or try indoor skydiving and The Centre:mk complete with Milton Keynes market in front of the shopping centre.

If you’re looking to get outside then there’s Willen Lake where you can enjoy water sports or cycle to Furzton Lake along dedicated bike paths, Salcey Forest is an Oasis of nature and history and there’s plenty of spots for fishing too.

It’s also home to the famous Woburn Safari Park where you view exotic wildlife from the confines of your car!

What is it like to live in Burnham?

Burnham is a large village that lies between the towns of Maidenhead and Slough. The mainline railway takes you into London Paddington, so ideal if you’re planning to commute but want to live away from the hustle and bustle of a busy city.

The village offers a classic style high street with plenty of greenery in the form of parks and the George Pitcher Memorial Ground which has a nature park and football pitches. The Burnham Beeches woodlands on the outskirts offers great walking routes, cycle options and bridleways.

During summer, Burnham hosts Burnham Festival which is a wonderful celebration of music and food & drink, bringing together the local community. The market is also open every Wednesday from morning til mid-afternoon.