With the county being a true commuter haven, new homes in Buckinghamshire are always a popular choice. But with house prices well above the UK national average, renting or buying blindly could prove a costly mistake. So, whose opinion should you listen to? HomeViews’ review platform cuts through the promotional hype and replaces it with insights from actual residents. They can reveal which new builds are worth the price tag. Intrigued? Read on to discover more about this amazing county and which developers made the Top 10.
Where is Buckinghamshire?
Buckinghamshire is a Home County in South East England. It borders Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Greater London. Milton Keynes is the largest settlement, lying 40 minutes from London and just 30 from Luton Airport. Other notable towns include Aylesbury, Marlow in the south, and Princes Risborough near Oxford.
Living in Buckinghamshire
Attracting entrepreneurs and creatives and home to healthy manufacturing, pharmaceutical, and digital sectors, Buckinghamshire has a thriving economy backed up by its enviable commuter belt position. And with beautiful countryside wherever you look, there’s always an agricultural show to visit or adventure to be had.
Replete with forests, waterways and charming villages, the Chilton Hills AONB also meanders through the county. To the north, the delightful settlements peppering the Aylesbury Vale serve visitors and residents alike with cosy pubs and restaurants. It’s easy to enjoy an active lifestyle on wheels too, thanks to the 2,500 miles of cycling paths threading through the area.
Bletchley Park is one of the region’s most famous heritage sites, but Buckhamshire is also great for modern family life. Milton Keynes features some of the UK’s best shopping amenities and all the benefits a young city brings. Prefer the heart of the action? Then turn your attention to the ancient market and county town of Aylesbury. Boasting historic pubs, the UK’s largest independent arts centre and many shops and restaurants, there’s always plenty to keep you entertained.
In Aylesbury, you’ll find grammar schools, a university technical college, and a renowned music centre. Further afield, The University of Buckingham provides two-year accelerated degrees, while Buckinghamshire New University lies sandwiched between the Chiltern Hills and the outskirts of London. The lovely town of Amersham and High Wycombe – with its medieval high street and an array of cultural events – are equally fantastic places to settle.
Transport in Buckinghamshire
Wherever you choose to live in the county, you’re never far from where you need to be. Chiltern Railways ends its line in Marylebone, while First Great Western delivers you to Paddington. London Midland services connect to Euston, with Southern taking you to Croydon.
Planning to travel between towns and cities? National Express coach services throughout the county can help with that. Meanwhile, the A41 cuts across Buckinghamshire from London to Birkenhead, with the A148 and A40 linking to Oxford. The M40 motorway also links London to Birmingham.
Buckinghamshire property prices
The latest data from Zoopla (December 2021) states that homes in Buckinghamshire cost £471,579 on average. This is a rise of 2.46 per cent in the last year. Flats sold for an average of £239,036 and terraced houses for £311,501. Meanwhile, semi-detached homes achieved around £382,202, with detached properties going for £741,485.
At the time of writing, rental prices in the county are around £1,372 PCM on average. This ranges from £1,036 PCM for a one-bedroom home to £4,048 for a five-bedroom property. Although these figures are higher than the average UK rental (£1,059 PCM, including London), it still offers a cheaper alternative to renting in the capital.
New homes in Buckinghamshire: Top 10 developments
Ready to find out which new homes in Buckinghamshire our reviewers loved the most? Factoring in everything from the available parking and on-site amenities to the quality of the build and the reliability of the management team, our Top 10 is the perfect at-a-glance guide to the county’s best developments.
4.63 (25 reviews)
4.63 (25 reviews)
Featuring one and two-bedroom apartments in Milton Keynes, Solstice Apartments by Grainger is currently our top-rated development. Residents here benefit from on-site management, a 24-hour fitness area, residents’ lounge and a rooftop terrace.
Solstice Apartments is also within walking distance to the dining, cultural and shopping attractions within Milton Keynes. Residents comment on the beautiful design, easy access to the gym and open-air terraces, and the efficient building management.
4.23 (48 reviews)
4.23 (48 reviews)
Brooklands Park by David Wilson Homes sits within Milton Keynes – and in second position. With two to five-bedroom houses, the development benefits from transport links into central London in just 33 minutes.
Residents can also be in central Milton Keynes – one of the UK’s top shopping destinations – in just 10 minutes. Our reviewers complimented the spacious layout of the development and the lovely parks and green spaces found at every turn.
4.19 (43 reviews)
4.19 (43 reviews)
Wrapping up the top 3, Fairfields is located close to the centre of Milton Keynes. Having easy access to M1, A5 and the A421, the development is great for commuters. As well as good transport links, you can walk into the historic market town of Stony, Stratford.
Fairfields offers a mix of two, three and four-bedroom homes for sale. Residents remark on the well-landscaped areas, including the green space behind the estate and the sensibly planned parking.
4.10 (24 reviews)
4.10 (24 reviews)
In at number 4, Oakgrove Village by Crest Nicholson is located in Milton Keynes. Containing nearly 900 homes, a Waitrose and Metrobank, the development benefits from a wide variety of nearby amenities. There are also great transport links, with Milton Keynes Central Station just a 10-minute drive away.
Residents love the spacious design of the estate and how well it has been integrated with nature. They also enjoy having shops and good pubs within walking distance.
4.08 (13 reviews)
4.08 (13 reviews)
Oakbrook by Taylor Wimpey sits within Newton Leys and at the midpoint on our list. Newton Leys is a growing community, with a range of local amenities. In addition, Oakbrook lies within 8 miles of central Milton Keynes and 3 miles of Brunel Shopping Centre.
Featuring a collection of houses and apartments, the development has been described as benefiting from lovely views and parks, good schooling, and shops and pubs within walking distance.
4.78 (5 reviews)
4.78 (5 reviews)
In sixth position, Taplow Riverside in Maidenhead is a scenic riverside scheme located in an countryside setting, close to country villages. Residents benefit from being less than 2 miles from Crossrail stations at Taplow, Maidenhead and 15 miles west of Heathrow.
In addition, Taplow Riverside offers many wide open spaces, with meadows and walks by the River Thames and Jubilee River. The development includes apartments and penthouses in Jubilee Mill and a smaller collection of homes in Dunloe Lodge.
Residents tell us that the excellent design comes with a top-class finish, including features such as underfloor heating and ceiling speakers. They also report that the management team keep the estate clean and tidy.
4.20 (11 reviews)
4.20 (11 reviews)
Shakespeare Park in Kingsmead is our seventh highest rated development. Featuring a collection of high standard two-bedroom apartments and three to four-bedroom houses in a range of sizes, the homes boast a bright and open design.
In addition, residents benefit from a variety of local amenities and close by transport links, creating a community for young professionals and growing families. Residents appreciate the ample visitor parking, nearby footpaths and parks, and the lack of traffic.
4.12 (5 reviews)
4.12 (5 reviews)
Offering luxury three, four and five-bedroom homes in Haddenham, Aspen Park is our eighth most popular development. Our residents tell us that the estate is well designed, with plenty of room for parking. They also love having the countryside and mainline services into London on their doorstep. There is also a Co-op and a nursery nearby.
4.07 (7 reviews)
4.07 (7 reviews)
In ninth place, Kite Meadows offers four and five-bedroom homes in Princes Risborough – a country town on the edge of the Chiltern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Residents enjoy the local park, the close proximity to the high street, and the well maintained outside areas. There is also lots of parking available.
3.79 (9 reviews)
3.79 (9 reviews)
Claiming a spot in our top 10, Harborne Manor offers a traditional selection of four and five-bedroom houses, carefully designed to blend in with the local character of the area.
The nearby town centre of Aylesbury boasts a wide choice of amenities, including two shopping centres and a variety of restaurants. Local schools are only five minutes away, along with a local shop, an ASDA, and a new play park.
Still not sure which of our new homes in Buckinghamshire would suit you? Then check out our dedicated area guide below to see all the reviews for each development.
HomeViews provides verified resident reviews of the UK’s housing developments. We’re working with developers, house builders, operators, housing associations and the Government to recognise high performers and help improve standards in the built environment.
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