Nestled east of the Colne Valley Regional Park, just west of London’s Uxbridge, sits the area of Gerrards Cross. Bounded to the north by Chalfont St Peter and flanked by the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Gerrards Cross has gained significant notority in recent years owing to its affluence and proximity to London - with trains to Marylebone taking just 22 minutes. A national survey in 2014 concluded that Gerrards Cross was the most expensive commuter town across the width and breadth of the country, with an average house price of over £1 million! The houses that dominated Gerrards Cross’ landscape are characterised by grand country manor houses, sizeable detached suburban homes and a plethora of converted flats!

Gerrards Cross is an unusual town. Unlike many other commuter belt towns with significant and rich history; the history of Gerrards Cross spans only as far back as the 19th century. Although there is significant ancient archaeological traces, found at the Late Bronze Age Bulstrode Camp (c. 1200 bc, over 3,000 years ago!) and even handaxes traced back to the Middle and Lower Palaeolithic era - the town itself can only trace itself back to Victorian era. Gerrards Cross has always been connoted with wealth and extravagance even to this period in history when the town was a considered a rural retreat for the wealthy and the elite. It wasn’t until 1906, with the opening of the Great Western & Great Central Joint Railway line at Gerrards Cross, that the town began to be opened up to the rest of the country. Although, this connotation of affluence has maintained throughout Gerrards Cross lifespan!

Perhaps not surprising to many, but Gerrards Cross has had its fair share of famous residents. One such resident is famed human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, who moved to Gerrards Cross from Lebanon at the age of 2!

Owing to the displays of affluence found commonly across Gerrards Cross, affordable housing is scarce throughout the locale. Even smaller properties, such as flats, are more highly priced than in other commuter towns. Housing development for large-scale projects is also rare. Situated in the South Buckinghamshire council, the wider borough council has not yet completed their potential local plans which would cover the future of Gerrards Cross and the Gerrards Cross Town Council has only just completed their consultation period. Therefore, it’s hard to say what development will come to Gerrards Cross in the future. However, there is often grand single-use developments for single properties at high-price points found throughout the locale built on a frequent basis!