Living in Buckinghamshire

Buckinghamshire is a county in South East England, known for its attractive countryside, historic towns and long association with traditional rural life. It lies between London and the Midlands, which has influenced its development over time while allowing much of the county to retain a calm and settled character. The landscape is defined by farmland, woodland and gently rolling hills, with many villages preserving a strong sense of local identity.

The county includes towns such as Aylesbury, High Wycombe, Marlow and Amersham, each serving its surrounding area in different ways. Aylesbury functions as the county town and administrative centre, while High Wycombe has a longer industrial history linked to furniture making. Elsewhere, smaller towns and villages support a mix of local employment and commuting, creating a varied but closely connected pattern of communities.

Much of Buckinghamshire’s character comes from the Chiltern Hills, which run through the south of the county and are recognised for their natural beauty. These chalk hills, along with rivers such as the Thames, provide space for walking, cycling and outdoor leisure. Taken together, Buckinghamshire offers a measured blend of countryside, historic settlement and practical modern living, making it an enduring and quietly appealing county within England.

Largest Towns in Buckinghamshire 12

Milton Keynes
240.3K
Slough
168.8K
High Wycombe
133.4K
Aylesbury
95.1K
Maidenhead
77.5K
Leighton Buzzard
53.8K
Windsor
43.3K
Rickmansworth
40.8K
West Drayton, Uxbridge
36.2K
Bedford
32.9K
Dunstable
31.3K
Buckingham
30.6K

Location

Elevation & Terrain

Lowest point Boveney — 62 ft (19 m)
Highest point Redland End — 846 ft (258 m)
Average across towns 358 ft (109 m)
Elevation range 784 ft (239 m)

Buckinghamshire stretches from 62 ft at Boveney up to 846 ft at Redland End, a span of 784 ft across 562 towns and villages. This reflects notably varied terrain, with clear contrasts between lower valleys and higher ground.

Deprivation Index (IMD)

Average deprivation scores across 59 postcode areas in Buckinghamshire. Higher deciles (closer to 10) indicate less deprivation.

Overall Deprivation
7/10
Income
7/10
Employment
7/10
Education
7/10
Health
8/10
Housing
3/10
Environment
7/10
456,725 Children (0-15) 20%
1,390,993 Working Age 62%
506,227 Older (60+) 23%

Places in Buckinghamshire 562

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W

Postcode Areas in Buckinghamshire 9

Buckinghamshire is served by 9 postcode areas. Each area contains multiple postcode districts covering different parts of the county.

Neighbouring Counties 6