Let's move to: Buckingham

Tom Dyckhoff weighs up the pros and cons of that pretty old town next to Milton Keynes
Welcome to Lark Rise To Candlefordland. Photograph: Graham Turner

What's going for it? There was Buckingham, once upon a time, doing perfectly nicely, thanks very much, a county named after it and everything. Then at the end of the 60s some bright spark goes and builds a giant city of the future right next door, with shopping malls, burger bars and all sorts of modern excrescences. Since when it's been Milton Keynes, Milton Keynes, Milton Keynes. True, Buckingham did miss out on the Industrial Revolution, too, but that's left much of it intact as a commuter option should MK prove a bit too 20th century for you. This is Lark Rise To Candleford-land, with a pretty old town, all hilly Tudor cottages and ye olde this that and the other, though the university (a rare private example) keeps the town from disappearing up its own cute posterior. Silverstone's up the road for petrolheads, Stowe house and gardens for aesthetes.

The case against Dull. The university does add a tiny edge (including a decent film club), but you'll still find yourself schlepping to Milton Keynes for most things.

Well connected? Not especially. Dependent on Milton Keynes 10 miles away (there's a local bus link), where you'll find the (mainline) railway to London and the West Midlands. The main A421 to MK is roundabout after roundabout. The M1 is a 30-minute drive away.

Schools Primaries: Grenville Combined's "good", says Ofsted, as is Buckingham Primary, with some "outstanding" aspects, and Bourton Meadow is "outstanding". Selective secondaries: Buckingham is "improving rapidly" after special measures; the Royal Latin is "good", with some "outstanding" features.

Hang out at... You'll find off-duty lecturers and students at the posh-ish Villiers Hotel bar, or the Woolpack (great August beer festival).

Where to buy The small market-town centre, much of it a conservation area, is crammed with 16th- to 19th-century town houses, terraces and cottages, like pretty Market Hill or Church Street. Oddly, few Victorian terraces or semis – mostly it's a leap to post-1960s suburban estates, like Mount Pleasant or Bourton.

Market values Five-bed suburban detacheds, or town centre town houses, £300,000-£600,000. Smaller town houses, £250,000-£300,000, and three- or four-bed detacheds, £200,000-£300,000. Semis, £175,000-£275,000. Terraces and cottages, £135,000-£250,000. Flats, £100,000-£230,000.

Bargain of the week One-bedroom terrace in the old town, with a decked garden, £108,950, with Russell & Butler (01280 815999).

From the streets

Sarah Lucas "The Mitre pub, located in the old town sells excellent real ale. I love the fact that we do not have a railway station here - it helps to keep the town quiet."

Margaret Gateley "Buckingham attained Fairtrade town status in 2007. The council also encouraged the town to go plastic bag free.

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