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Spotlight on Chalfont St Peter – our estate agent’s view

Monday, July 24, 2017

Chalfont St Peter’s roots begin as an ancient Iron Age village but earliest written reference in 949 AD is to Ceadeles Funtan - an Anglo Saxon settlement along the River Misbourne. It has grown to become one of the largest villages in the South East with a population of over 13,000. The village boasts a “vibrant village community with a strong local identity” and this is clearly seen at the Feast Day which takes place on Gold Hill Common each year - a day of real community focus and family fun.

Often called “the Gateway to the Chilterns”, Chalfont St Peter is not on the main tourist route but has a number of places to stay, most notably The Greyhound, at the foot of the village on the banks of the Misbourne. The village boasts easy access to both London (under 30 minutes by train from nearby Gerrards Cross) and to the tourist attractions of the Chilterns and the South East.

Pivotal to Buckinghamshire’s troubled history, Judge Jeffreys, the ‘Hanging Judge’ presided over a court at the 14th-century coaching inn, The Greyhound but ended his days in the Tower of London. More recent celebrities to live in the village include British actors Lewis Collins and John Laurie and actress Dame Margaret Rutherford and musician Ozzy Osbourne.

Founded in 1976 and set in 45 acres of beautiful parkland and woods, the Chiltern Open Air Museum aims to preserve the heritage of The Chilterns by restoring local buildings such as medieval barns and halls, a Victorian farmyard, a 19th Century working smithy and toll house, workers' cottages and churches, a Second World War 'pre-fab' furnished bungalow and magnificent Victorian public conveniences. Regular demonstrations of local rural crafts in period costume and jousting are very popular and the site is an accredited centre for school curriculum projects.

The village has a number of green, open spaces - Gold Hill Common which slopes down to the village, Austenwood with remnants of sawpits and brick making and Chalfont Common - and is surrounded by picturesque Chilterns scenery. There are many walks and footpaths around the village and along the River Misbourne which flows intermittently and forms part of the Colne Valley Park. Chalfont St Peter has a surprising array of sport and leisure facilities, clubs and activities; football, tennis and a skateboarding park at Mill Meadow, cricket, rugby, football, hockey and golf at Chalfont Park, swimming and indoor sports at the Chalfont Leisure Centre as well as an award winning bowling club and several riding stables in the area.

Visitors find the village welcoming and friendly. The high street comprises mainly small, independent shops and there is a strong tradition of customer service, with the village awarded the ‘Welcome Host’ accolade by the Southern Tourist Board. In 2014 Chalfont St Peter won the “Best Kept Village in Bucks” competition, further reflecting the community spirit required to clear up, clean up and tidy up to win the title.

The Greyhound Inn has been a focal point in Chalfont St Peter since the 14th Century, providing refreshment to weary travellers and villagers alike. Nowadays the restaurant offers innovative gastropub dishes with the freshest ingredients. At the top of the village overlooking Gold Hill Common is The Jolly Farmer, a unique combination of a traditional British pub serving French brasserie food with an English twist. In the village itself you’ll find delicious Delhi Spice, Chef Zhu and Spice - cuisine from all around the world.

With all this on offer, excellent transport links and access to the grammar school system in South Bucks, Chalfont St Peter is a popular choice for families and commuters, maintaining an upward pressure on property prices. A wide variety of housing stock from small flats to country houses means there’s something for everyone in this lively close-knit community. See frostweb.co.uk for our complete portfolio of properties in Chalfont St Peter or call 01753 886565 and talk to your local property expert in our Chalfont St Peter branch.