Beaconsfield is set on the A40 road between High Wycombe and Gerrards Cross, the surrounding area comprises miles of Chiltern country side and numerous woodlands such as Penn Wood, Common Wood and Burnham Beeches. The Town is set within the London commuter belt. It is in the South Bucks local government district, which was known as the Beaconsfield district from 1974 to 1980.
The town is well served by rail and road, with the road links via the nearby M4, M40 and M25 motorways and there are railway stations within Beaconsfield itself and 4 railway stations within 4 to 5 miles of Beaconsfield, approximately 10 minutes in travel time. Services are provided by Chiltern Railways who provide regular fast and slow services, the faster ones being able to reach London in around twenty five minutes.
Today the town is very prosperous and quite picturesque, with a variety of independent boutique and antique style shops, and a number of eateries. It is also home to the Bekonscot model village; and (the old) Beaconsfield Film Studio becoming the National Film and Television School, where many film directors and technicians have learned their craft. Many parts of the town have been used in films due to the old film studio and nearby Pinewood Studios. More recently it has often been used as a "location" for the TV murder mystery series, Midsomer Murders.
The New Town was built 1 mile further to the north, when the railway arrived, at the turn of the 20th century. The railway station is on the Chiltern Line out of Marylebone towards High Wycombe it then branches to Aylesbury, and Birmingham Snow Hill.
Beaconsfield is also home to the Chiltern Shakespeare Company, which annually holds amateur performances of Shakespeare plays.
Education
Buckinghamshire County Council operates a selective secondary education system, rather than a comprehensive system. Pupils can take the 11+ test at the beginning of year 6, when they are age 10 or 11. Approximately 30% attain a score that makes them eligible to go to grammar schools, as well as to the county's upper schools.
- Alfriston School is a special school for girls, with moderate learning difficulties, between the ages of 11 and 18
- Beaconsfield High School is a high performing grammar school for girls between the ages of 11 and 18
- The Beaconsfield School has an average performance rating and its sixth form students join together with Beaconsfield High to increase the courses available
- Davenies School is a private preparatory day school for boys between ages 4 and 13
- High March School is a private preparatory day school for girls between the ages of 3 and 12 and boys between the ages of 3 and 5
- St Mary & All Saints Church of England Primary School is a Key stage 1 & 2 mixed sex school with excellent Ofsted reports
Property Prices in Beaconsfield (2008)
| Type |
Average price |
| Flat |
£362,210 |
| Detached |
£939,342 |
| Semi-detached |
£395,018 |
| Terraced |
£377,608 |
(Source Zoopla)