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Spotlight on Burnham – Our estate agent’s view

Monday, March 25, 2019

Spotlight on Burnham – Our estate agent’s view. There’s a timeless quality to the village of Burnham which lies west of Slough close to J7 of the M4. The village itself dates back to Roman times although it was first recorded in the Domesday Book in 1086 as Burneham meaning "homestead on a stream". Fast forward a few centuries and there's a real sense of village life with the outstanding (OFSTED) Dropmore School, Burnham Grammar School, clubs and societies like rowing, bridge, opera and sailing all keeping the community spirit alive. Transport links are excellent, with mainline railway stations at Burnham and Taplow, connecting to London Paddington, Slough and Reading. Journey times are set to improve still further with the advent of Crossrail and have already raised property prices in the area.

The village centre has a diverse range of shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. Our office has recently relocated to the centre so we get a real appreciation of how vibrant village life is in Burnham. Local leisure facilities include archery, clubs for cricket, football and tennis and Burnham Beeches Golf Club. Recently modernised Burnham Park  hosts social events throughout the year such as open air cinema and an annual donkey derby organised by the Rotary Club which attracts about 3,000 people and raises £10-15,000 for charities such as Marie Curie Cancer Care and Alexander Devine Children's Hospice Service.

For foodies, The Blackwood Arms, Artigiani del Cibo (known for its fresh authentic Italian food) and Akash Tandoori top Tripadvisor’s list of recommended restaurants in Burnham, offering affordable, relaxed dining. Further afield at Bray, Heston Blumenthal's Michelin-starred restaurant, the Fat Duck, and Michel Roux’s The Waterside Inn take eating out to another level if you can manage to get a table.

Over the years the Grade 1 listed stately home Cliveden has hosted elite society parties and lavish entertainment with famous names from Charlie Chaplin to Winston Churchill but it is perhaps best known as the starting point of the Profumo Affair that brought the British parliament to its knees in 1963. Today, Cliveden is one of the world's finest luxury hotels, surrounded by 376 acres of magnificent National Trust gardens www.nationaltrust.org.uk . It enjoys panoramic views over the River Thames and, from the Boathouse, you can take a champagne cruise – the height of indulgence.

Just north of Burnham is a 540 acre stretch of ancient woodland, ideal for outdoor pursuits and family picnics. Burnham Beeches was saved from development in 1879 and has since been managed by the City of London Corporation. The woods are home to more than 60 species of plants and animals that are either rare or under threat nationally and the area is protected as a National Nature Reserve, and Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Nearby Pinewood, Shepperton and Bray Studios often use Burnham Beeches as a location due to its outstanding natural beauty. Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, Casino Royale and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix are among the films that have been shot here. Filming is restricted to 20 days per year and to certain areas to preserve the woodland and its wildlife and all revenue generated is used for its upkeep.

So what does the future hold for Burnham? Crossrail is likely to enhance this pretty village’s commutability with journey times to Paddington and Canary Wharf of 32 and 49 minutes respectively. Property values are already significantly above the UK average and the "Crossrail effect" could add a further 10%. Buyers looking for sound investments may find Burnham expensive, but a relatively safe prospect long term. Housing stock is varied with old timber-framed cottages alongside neo Georgian houses and contemporary eco-homes giving buyers a wide selection. If Burnham can maintain its village atmosphere, it could well offer residents the best of both worlds. For more information or to see our properties for sale or to let in and around Burnham please visit www.frostweb.co.uk .