Amersham, Buckinghamshire: Old Streets and Chiltern Walks
Ever arrived somewhere and felt like you’ve stepped through two doors at once? Amersham Buckinghamshire often gives that feeling. One side is Old Amersham, with its historic High Street and pub signs that look like they’ve hung there forever.
The other is Amersham-on-the-Hill, built around the station, with shops, cafés, and an easy pace for day trippers. Set on the edge of the Chilterns, Amersham works well for a simple day out or a slower weekend from London. You can fit a lot into a short visit, without rushing.
This guide shares practical tips, plus a few stories to drop into conversation later, from the 1086 Domesday Book link to a famous film connection and the curious case of the River Misbourne.
If out walking, follow the Countryside Code to keep all creatures safe.
Old Town charm and Chiltern views
Amersham is easiest to understand as two linked places with different moods. Old Amersham sits lower down in the valley, where the streets curve and the buildings feel close. Amersham-on-the-Hill is up by the station, with a more modern centre and a busier weekday rhythm.
That split matters when you plan your time. If you want atmosphere, photos, and a long lunch, head for the Old Town. If you want to arrive, eat quickly, and move on to a walk, the station area makes life simple.
The setting also shapes the whole visit. With the Chiltern Hills nearby, you’re never far from fields, wooded paths, and open viewpoints. Even a short walk can feel like a reset, especially after a week of trains and screens.
Timber-framed buildings and coaching inns
Old Amersham’s High Street is the heart of it. You’ll notice period buildings, including timber-framed fronts, sitting alongside brick and flint. The street layout still feels like a market town, not a planned development, and that’s part of the charm.
Coaching inns and pubs play a big role here. Even if you don’t stop for a pint, the entrances, courtyards, and signboards add to the sense that people have travelled through for centuries. You can stroll the High Street in 20 to 30 minutes, yet it’s easy to spend longer because the details pull you in.
Amersham also appears in the 1086 Domesday Book, which is a neat reminder that this isn’t a “newly discovered” pretty place. It’s a town with deep roots that kept growing around its older bones.
Amersham-on-the-Hill: handy for commuters
Up the hill, the pace changes. The station links to the Metropolitan line and Chiltern Railways, which is why commuters rely on this side of town. For visitors, it means you can step off the train and find coffee, lunch, or a quick supermarket stop without hunting.
This is the better base if you want convenience first. Grab breakfast near the station, then take a taxi or bus down to the Old Town. It also works well at the end of the day, when you want an easy dinner before heading home.
On the other hand, don’t judge Amersham by the station streets alone. The Old Town is where the “postcard” views live, and it’s worth making time for both.
River Misbourne, and why it dries up
River Misbourne runs through the area and it often surprises people. It’s a chalk stream, which means it depends on groundwater filtered through chalk. In dry periods, parts of the river can run very low, or even disappear from view. Locals sometimes describe it plainly as river misbourne dried up, even though it may still flow underground.
If you’re walking with kids, it’s a good “spot the science” moment. Water doesn’t always behave like a steady blue line on a map.
Start with an easy valley walk, then branch into fields and woodland for a longer loop. You don’t need a big route plan to enjoy it, but you should stay aware of signs and boundaries.
Chalk streams are delicate. Stick to paths, take litter home, and check local updates if you’re hoping to see flowing water.
One simple safety note: keep to marked rights of way and respect private land. The countryside here is welcoming, but it’s also working land, with livestock and crops depending on the season.
Four Weddings and a Funeral connection
Amersham has a fun pop culture footnote too. Many people know it as a four weddings and a funeral film location, or at least as a town often linked with filming for that era of British rom-com. The streets in Old Amersham look “ready-made” for the camera, which helps explain why production crews have used the area.
The best way to enjoy the connection is to treat it as an extra, not the main goal. Take a self-guided stroll, pause where the buildings frame the street nicely, and see what feels familiar. Even if you can’t match every shot, you’ll still get a good walk and a few great photos.
