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Spotlight on Chesham – our estate agents view.

Monday, February 10, 2020

Spotlight on Chesham – our estate agents view. Chesham is a popular market town on the edge of the Chilterns, surrounded by picturesque open countryside yet within easy reach of the M25 and M1. It’s an easy commute to London via Amersham’s mainline train service into Marylebone or Chesham’s own Metropolitan Line station into Baker Street, making this a prime commuter town. Earliest records date back to the 10th century although archaeological evidence shows people in the area from around 8000 BC. Historically Chesham is best known for the four Bs – Baptists, bootmaking, beer and brushmaking - but fast forward to 2020 and the town’s employment lies in small businesses, technology and professional services.

A superb range of local schools is just one of many factors which draw families to Chesham. There are six primary schools and several secondary schools including Chesham Grammar School (co-ed). Chesham is also in catchment for both Dr Challoner's Grammar School for boys and Dr Challoner's High School for girls. With independent schools locally including Chesham Prep, The Beacon School (boys) and Heatherton House (girls), Chesham is also served by Amersham & Wycombe College for further education.

Old Chesham delights with historic listed buildings and a conservation area which includes the 12th century St Mary's Church and 'The Bury', a Queen Anne townhouse built in 1712. A clock tower made in 1992 stands in Market Square on the site of the 18th century town hall which was demolished in 1965. The turret is a reconstruction of the one built in the 19th century and features the original glass-dialled clock face and mechanism. Chesham war memorial stands in a landscaped garden in The Broadway and commemorates those who gave their lives during WW1 and WW2.

The town centre has been largely redeveloped but the pedestrianised High Street retains the character of the old market town with traditional family-run shops and a vibrant street market on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Additional shopping opportunities can be found at Amersham, Berkhamsted and Tring as well as larger retail centres in High Wycombe, Watford and Milton Keynes.

Chesham has plenty of lively cafes such as Costa and Café Nero, and over 40 pubs and restaurants in the area cover cuisine from all around the world. Tripadvisor lists its top 3 as Brazil’s Kitchen serving European and British dishes, Filo Mediterranean Kitchen offering a Mediterranean/Turkish menu and The Black Horse Inn. The Black Cat at Lye Green is a traditional country pub, popular for its selection of Sunday roasts, music festival events and beautiful garden, while The Drawing Room is a unique tapas venue full of interesting objects-d'art. Its music nights showcase emerging musical talent and its unusual setting provides an entertaining experience especially in summer. Roger Crab, who once lived there, was an eccentric who is supposed to have inspired Lewis Carroll’s "Mad Hatter" character. Other notable Chesham residents over the years include Aneurin Bevan, Labour politician and father of the National Health Service, actor Stephen Fry who spent part of his childhood in Chesham and D. H. Lawrence, the novelist and poet, who rented a cottage at Bellingdon whilst writing The Rainbow.

A number of purpose-built cinemas have come and gone over the years in Chesham. The Elgiva Theatre opened in 1998 and is a 300-400 capacity venue, hosting a wide-ranging programme of plays, musicals, comedy, dance, one night shows and concerts, pantomimes, films, exhibitions and other events.

Nearby Lowndes Park is a stunning feature of Chesham spanning 36 acres. The lower park provides play areas, a multi-sports court, skateboard park, the historic avenue (also a cycle route), and Skottowes pond. Here, free open air concerts are staged in the bandstand area during July and August each year. The upper park has spectacular views across the town, excellent walking routes and natural habitats for local wildlife.

There is also a range of superb sports and leisure facilities including Chesham Leisure Centre, Chesham Open Air Pool (hugely popular in summer), Chesham FC and a well-respected cricket club in addition to several golf courses nearby. The Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty offers spectacular picturesque countryside for walking, cycling and outdoor leisure pursuits with chalk hills, valleys and extensive beech woodlands.

Chesham’s growing popularity as a place to live and limited expansion of housing stock due to its Green Belt location maintain strong demand for property and robust pricing. Families come to Chesham for good schooling and an outdoor lifestyle, while commuters enjoy an easy journey into London. For details of properties on the market with our Chesham office see frostweb.co.uk or contact our Chesham office on 01494 774602.