WHY? 

Village life with commuter convenience. Twyford offers everything a London leaver could wish for. River location, surrounded by countryside, excellent schools, and in 40 minutes you can be back in London sipping cocktails and getting a Selfridges fix.

EAT

Several pubs and restaurants in town but for more of a foodie flavour, head out to the surrounding villages – Michelin star pub The Crown at Burchetts Green and The Beehive in White Waltham both serve exceptional food. The Bell Inn in Waltham St Lawrence and The Shurlock Inn will tick the good pub nosh box. For those in need of a cosmopolitan fix, head into nearby Sonning where you’ll find the Coppa Club, The French Horn and George Clooney (cooee).

SHOP

What more could you possibly want? It’s got a Waitrose. Oh, you want more? OK, Lincoln’s Coffee House is a very good spot for your caffeine fix and they roast their own beans too. If you’re a fan of Lycra and long rides, make a beeline for Bia Hub – a bike shop, workshop and café. The Big Plant Nursery is superb specialist garden centre, you’ll love Muddy Award winning interiors boutique Victoria & Co. The Egg Box at Riverways Farm sells, er, super fresh eggs and the owners’ farmhouse build was documented on BBC2’s The House £100K Built.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

It’s all about the river. So embrace all the regattas, from biggies upstream like Henley and Marlow to the more fun Wargrave and Shiplake Regatta in August when first-timers, local veterans, Olympians and university Lycra wearers cross oars. Elsewhere, you have a vineyard on the doorstep courtesy of Stanlake Park Wine Estate offering tours, a bar and shop; the brilliant Mill at Sonning Theatre for dinner and a show, plus HaaHoos Ceramics for a rainy day pottery painting. Free fun… get those steps in wandering around Charvil Country Park and Loddon Reserve.

AVERAGE HOUSE PRICE

Don’t be fooled by the reported average of £542,646. A decent family house with a garden in Twyford will set you back £750,000+. Although that’s a good 20 per cent less than you would pay in Henley or Marlow. That said, prices are soaring as Crossrail edges closer to completion, with sales increasing 40% year on year. A swish new build two-bed apartment is priced at £480,000.

HOT PROPERTY

SCHOOLS

If you’re thinking state, Polehampton Infant and Junior School has an outstanding reputation, but demand for places is fierce, so you’ll need to put your map reading skills to the test. Another good option is Charvil Piggott Primary which feeds into the excellent The Piggott School. Not forgetting Reading’s grammar schools. Heading down the private route? Reddam House in Wokingham offers an stellar all-through co-ed education, Reading Blue Coat is a superb option for bright boys, likewise The Abbey School for academic girls. If you don’t mind travelling a bit further Waverley Prep, and Lambrook are great option for younger kids.

BEST KEPT SECRET

Mr Tuuuuumble! Your kids could follow in the footsteps of a CBeebies demigod, I am reliably informed he was was a pupil at Polehampton CofE Infant School. Another fun fact, Twyford claims to have the the oldest badminton club in the country. Better dust off the racket.

COMMUTE

This is gold plated commuter territory. Twyford is just 20 mins drive from both the M4 and M40. If you’re chugging into London, Reading, Maidenhead or Oxford by train, then you’ll being loving the rail links. There are 228 trains per day running from Twyford to Paddington, with the fastest journey taking 39 mins. Once Crossrail arrives, you’ll be able to whizz into Bond Street in 48 mins, Liverpool Street 55 mins and Canary Wharf in just smidge over an hour. A direct link to Heathrow airport is also in the pipeline.

View the full Top 200 Places to Live