House prices in south Bucks are now not far short of what you would pay in London.

Two reports published this week show how far property values have soared in the priciest towns and villages half an hour’s commute from the capital.

According to Savills’ research, in 2020 the typical cost of a home in Beaconsfield was £1,160,642, almost 155 per cent (154.7%) above the county average of £455,727.

Gerrards Cross was the second priciest town for homebuyers – the £960,795 average equated to a premium of 110.8 per cent above the county norm.

Amersham was third - average price £701,317 - followed by Marlow, average price £684,014.

If you’re not yet in the supertax bracket, you could find the home of your dreams in Princes Risborough (average paid for a secondhand house last year was £460.980), Chesham (average £437,505) Wycombe (£422,396) and Aylesbury (£286,768).

According to Hamptons, house prices in Bucks are only 16 per cent less than the London average.

Drawing on Land Registry stats as well as the firm’s own sales figures, the agency says prices across the county have risen 4.8 per cent over the past year.

Currently the majority of deals amount to less than a percentage point lower than the owners were hoping for.

The number crunchers point out: “Back in the mid-1990s, house prices in Buckinghamshire were more expensive than London. But London’s growth as a global city from the early 2000s saw prices rise to a 20 per cent premium by 2014.

“Over the last five years, this has reversed with price growth in Buckinghamshire outpacing London.

“Given the shift in housing trends post pandemic, with an increase in city leavers searching for prime commuter belt areas, it’s Buckinghamshire’s most expensive areas that have seen the greatest price growth.

“Great Missenden has been the top performer. Prices there have risen 14 per cent over the last year

“So far this year, a record 36 per cent of Buckinghamshire buyers have come from London, up from 26 per cent in 2019.

“Last year seven per cent of homes were sold for a million pounds or more. So far this year the total has risen to 8.7 per cent, a county record.

“In line with the wider market, low stock levels have fuelled competition. As a result, the average home sold in Buckinghamshire so far this month has achieved a record 99.2 per cent of its asking price.”

Pictured above is part of the show home complex due to open in July at a newly built retirement development called The Cloisters, just off the High Street in Great Missenden.

The site includes four two-bedroom cottages and 28 one and two-bedroom apartments plus communal facilities including residents’ lounge, an outside terrace and on site parking. The site is handy for village shops and the station.

A programme of social events is already on the cards to encourage friendships both between new neighbours at The Cloisters and the existing villagers.

A house manager will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the new building.

The development has been built by a company called Rectory Retirement for McCarthy Stone, market leaders in the creation of communities for the over-60s. The company has been established for more than 40 years.

The properties at The Cloisters will be available to buy and also to rent and on a part buy-part rent basis. No prices yet.

The developers are inviting those who fancy living here to register their interest either by phone on 0800 201 4743 or via the website www.mccarthystone.co.uk