High Wycombe and surrounding areas, Buckinghamshire - Local Information for home buyers

High Wycombe is a large town in Buckinghamshire, England. It is located approx 30 miles north-west of London. The 2001 census for High Wycombe showed a population of 92,300, making it the largest town in the shire county of Buckinghamshire.

It is surrounded by beautiful countryside and many popular areas such as Hazlemere, Holmer Green, Widmer End, Penn and Tylers Green, Downley, Wooburn Green, Flackwell Heath, Marlow, West Wycombe and more.

Wycombe is a combination of industrial and market town, with a traditional emphasis on furniture production, having been brought up during the 18th and 19th centuries around the furniture industry. It was once known as the ‘furniture capital of England’. There has been a market held in the High Street since at least medieval times and this still runs every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday.

There are many social and leisure activities including The Wycombe Swan theatre, Wycombe Wanderers Football Club and Wasps Rugby Club, an open air swimming pool and plenty of open countryside.

Also, there have been many new developments recent including the Eden Shopping Centre and a brand new "natural" play area on The Rye, the £250,000 Lottery Funded play area is the first in the district to use environment and materials such as wood, rocks and rope instead of typical playground equipment. It is situated at the western end of the Rye, partially hidden among trees.

An interesting and individual custom of High Wycombe is that it is the only place in the world that weighs its Mayors.

Attractions:

• Hughenden Manor 2 miles
• West Wycombe Park 2 miles
• Odds Farm 4 miles

Towns:-

• Hughenden 2 miles
• Hazlemere 2 miles
• Penn 3 miles

Education

Buckinghamshire is one of the few counties that still have a selective educational system. Students in their last year of middle school take what is commonly known as the 11+ exam (consisting of verbal reasoning). Their score in this exam determines whether they are accepted into a state grammar or a secondary modern school. Therefore, Wycombe contains some grammar schools that do very well in league tables, and in contrast, secondary modern schools, some of which have faced problems[. Local grammar schools include Wycombe High School, John Hampden Grammar School and the Royal Grammar School. The Wycombe Abbey School is an exclusive private single-sex (girls) school, for day pupils, and boarders.

High Wycombe is also home to the former RAF Daws Hill (an ex-USAF base) and the American School, London Central Elementary High School, formerly of Bushy Park.

High Wycombe is home to the main campus of Buckinghamshire New University (BNU). The university college had plans for expansion in the Hughenden area of High Wycombe, and while these plans fell through, there are now plans to enlarge the main campus which will provide more up to date facilities. The university has now achieved full university status, (summer, 07) and it is now called Buckinghamshire New University / Bucks New Uni for short.

Schools in High Wycombe

For ages 5-11

• Ash Hill Primary School
• Beechview School
• Booker Hill School
• Castlefield School
• Cedar Park School
• Chepping View Primary School
• Godstowe Preparatory School
• Great Kingshill Combined School
• Hamilton Primary School
• Hannah Ball Infant School
• High Wycombe Church of England Combined School
• Highworth Combined School and Nursery
• Holmer Green Junior School
• Kings Wood School
• Loudwater Combined School
• Marsh School
• Millbrook Combined School
• Oakridge School
• St Augustine's Catholic Primary School
• The Disraeli School
• The Downley School

For ages 11-18

• Holmer Green Senior School
• Cressex Community School
• Highcrest Community School
• John Hampden Grammar School
• Pipers Corner School
• Sir William Ramsay School
• St Bernard's Catholic School
• The Royal Grammar School
• Wycombe Abbey School
• Wycombe High School

Property Prices in High Wycombe (2008)

(Source Zoopla)