A charming town dotted with picture-postcard cottages has held on to its history while managing to move with the times, which has helped it bag the title of one of the best places to live in the UK
It’s hard to comprehend that this stunning small town full of history, culture and character is just over 30 minutes outside of London and on a Tube line.
The market town of Amersham in Buckinghamshire sits in the Chiltern Hills, which is an official Area of Outstanding National Beauty. Its rural setting, period cottages and picturesque charm has helped it become the perfect location for many TV shows and films.
Despite the quintessentially old English feel of the place, Amersham has stayed relevant and an ideal spot to live thanks to its foodie culture, great schools, nearby attractions and commutable status.
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It was listed in the Sunday Times Best Places to Live 2025 and was described as “an old soul with plenty of mod cons” in Muddy Stilettos Top 300 Best Places to Live 2025. Here we take a look at what the town has to offer and why it’s such a desirable location.
Amersham is divided into two distinct areas. The Old Town is set in the valley of the River Misbourne and dates back to Anglo Saxon times. In 1086, after the Domesday Book was written, the manor was held by Queen Edith, who was the wife of Edward the Confessor and sister of King Harold.
Today there are houses dating back to 1450. The Market Hall, which once contained the town’s gaol, dates back to 1682 and pretty period cottages are also dotted about. Sitting alongside the historical buildings are modern, independent shops on the high street and Michelin starred restaurants such as Artichoke and Hawkyns.
The excellent food offering at restaurants and cafes continues in the newer part of the town – Amersham-on-the-Hill. It was built on the north side of the Misbourne valley and grew in the early 20th century around the station, which is where you can pick up a train to Marylebone Station in London. The journey takes around 35 minutes but it’s also possible to hop on the Tube on the Metropolitan Line into Baker Street from Amersham, making it perfect for commuters.
Amersham is also just 20 minutes from the M25 and close to Heathow, which is another reason it is popular with young professionals and families. There are nurseries located near the station and the schools in the area are a mixture of Ofsted rated ‘good’ along with plenty of grammar and private options.
There’s lots to do in the area too. Nearby attractions include the National Trust’s country home of Victorian statesman Benjamin Disraeli, Hughenden Manor. The red brick house, which was once a top secret war base, is set in 600 acres of countryside. Visitors can discover the secrets of the manor, explore the stunning parkland and garden and children can enjoy the play area.
The Roald Dahl Museum is close by in Great Missenden and the Chiltern Open Air Museum hosts family friendly events all year round. The Chilterns Lifestyle Centre is a state of the art leisure complex with a large swimming pool, climbing wall and spa, as well as fitness classes.
For those wanting to learn about the town’s heritage, there’s the Amersham Museum and also guided walks in the local area, countryside and Old Town. One of these follows in the footsteps of famous actors to discover the filming locations used in various shows and films, such as Midsomer Murders, Four Weddings and a Funeral and Poirot.
If relocating to Amersham sounds appealing, you’d be looking at an average house price of £722,865. According to Rightmove, most properties sold there in the last year were detached and sold for an average price of £1,149,968. Semi-detached properties fetched an average of £692,388, with flats going for £345,013.