In today’s episode of ‘dreamy places we’d love to live but could never actually afford to’ we have Marlow; a riverside town just outside of London that’s so gorgeous, it’s recently been named one of the best places to live in the whole country.
Now, the average house will set you back a rather eye-watering £750,000. And so if you’ve spent all your money on avocados and overpriced coffee (not that I’m speaking from experience or anything), snapping up your very own gaff there might be off the cards. But a bit of window shopping never hurt anyone, right? So, let’s all press our faces against the figurative glass and find out what makes this little pocket of charm so… well – charming.
Where is Marlow?
The historic market town is nestled between the picture-perfect backdrops of the River Thames and the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Surrounded by rolling hills and filled to the brim with stunning Georgian and Victorian architecture; it’s not too difficult to see why it’s one of the best-loved locations along the river. Situated in the county of Buckinghamshire (and recently voted as the best place to live there), Marlow is a popular commuter spot due to its close proximity to the capital. It’s had its fair share of famous residents over the years, too. Mary Shelley finished her iconic gothic novel, Frankenstein, whilst living there, and celeb chef, Tom Kerridge, is also a local resident of the town. But more on him later…
Things to do in Marlow
For a relatively small town, Marlow sure does have a fair bit going for it. There’s a plethora of independent shops and boutiques, plenty of cosy cafes, a whole host of listed buildings, lots of winding walkways, a monthly farmer’s market, and a bloomin’ impressive foodie offering courtesy of Tom Kerridge. His pub, The Hand and Flowers, proudly stands as the only pub in the UK to hold two shiny Michelin stars and has well and truly levelled up Marlow’s food and drink scene.
The town also boasts a Grade I listed suspension bridge that spans the River Thames and links the counties of Buckinghamshire and Berkshire. And to top off Marlow’s pretty impressive CV, it hosts a major event in the British rowing calendar each year: Marlow Regatta.
Getting to Marlow from London
Marlow is approximately an hour drive from central London. Non-drivers need not panic, though, as the train is even speedier, with Marlow station being a quick and (relatively painless) journey from the capital. London Paddington to Marlow takes around 50 minutes, including a change at Maidenhead.