Buckingham offers a historic atmosphere in Pennsylvania
History and modern convenience come together in Buckingham, an eastern Pennsylvania community of about 20,000 outside Doylestown. Some of the Bucks County township’s landmarks have ties as far back as the Revolutionary War, and the area’s history is reflected in the housing stock, where some properties date back centuries. “Buckingham is an awesome place to live,” says Deana Corrigan, a principal and Realtor with Compass RE in Pennsylvania who lived in the area for 27 years. “It has rural charm with historic character. It’s not too far from Philadelphia and New York, but it’s a quiet town with lots of preserves, space and farmland.” The proximity to neighboring Doylestown and the shopping hub of Peddler’s Corner, as well as the bigger cities, is one of Buckingham’s primary draws: it marks a near-midpoint between Allentown and Philadelphia, while Trenton and New York City are also within driving distance.
Cape Cods and colonial-style homes populate Buckingham
Many homes in Buckingham date to the second half of the 20th century, but some homes can date as far back as the 1700s. Cape Cods and colonial-style homes are the most common architecture in Buckingham, though custom builds, split-levels and ranch-style homes can also be found there. Those single-family homes primarily range from about $500,000 to around $1.5 million. Farmhouses are typically priced in the multi-million-dollar range. Manufactured hopes typically cost between $200,000 and $400,000, while townhouses commonly sell for between $500,000 and $700,000.
Highly rated education within the Central Bucks School District
Central Bucks School District serves the Buckingham community and receives an A rating from Niche. Buckingham Elementary School earns an A-minus and spans kindergarten through sixth grade, while Holicong Middle School garners an A and enrolls grades seven through nine. Central Bucks High School – East also receives an A and has been named as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.
Buckingham offers several parks with numerous sports fields
Several municipal parks dot the Buckingham community and offer various facilities. “Buckingham has fabulous parks,” Corrigan says. “There are playing fields, tot lots, walking paths and bike trails, and some have amphitheaters for music in the summer on Thursday nights. The parks are a big deal.” The largest green space is Holicong Park, which offers more than a dozen multi-purpose athletic fields, two tennis courts, two basketball courts and a playground.
George M. Bush Park has several baseball fields, walking paths and a volleyball court, while Hansell Park visitors can attend concerts at its stage, walk the trails or play on half a dozen sports fields. The Lookaway Golf Club offers a private, 18-hole course, while the private Doylestown Country Club is about 5 miles away. Residents can also paddle and fish in Robin Run Lake.
Boutique shopping in Peddler’s Village
On the northeast side of Buckingham, Peddler’s Village is a unique shopping destination in Lahaska that offers a variety of locally-owned stores and restaurants, artisan boutiques and more. The Porterhouse Restaurant & Pub serves steak and seafood, while the Cock ‘n Bull Restaurant takes on a colonial theme with American dishes. Stores include Pine Wreath & Candle, The Cloak and Wand and the Village General Store. More stops can be found closer to Doylestown. “The Heart of Oak is this cute, little tavern,” Corrigan says. “In the two touching townships, there are lots of restaurants. Everything is within about 10 minutes.” Shoppers can browse shelves at a Giant, about 6 miles from central Buckingham, or a Target in Doylestown.
Central to major Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey cities
Buckingham residents are centrally located to nearby cities, though they need personal vehicles to get there. Philadelphia is around 35 miles south, while Allentown is about the same distance north. Trenton sits under 20 miles east of Buckingham, with New York City around 75 miles in the same direction. U.S. Route 202 and Pennsylvania Route 413, which intersect in Buckingham, are the primary arteries in the community. Drivers can get on Interstate 295 less than 15 miles away. Doylestown Hospital offers medical services less than 10 miles west. Lehigh Valley International Airport is around 40 miles away.
Annual holiday events for the Buckingham community
Buckingham’s Parks & Recreation department facilitates annual events, including an annual tree lighting in December to ring in the holiday season. The festivities include a Santa appearance, a choir performance and crafts. Rice’s Market in New Hope has hundreds of vendors each week. “There are lots of community events, farmers markets and seasonal activities,” Corrigan says. “People come in busloads from New York to go to Rice’s Market on Tuesdays and Saturdays.” Peddler’s Village also hosts events, which include OctoberFeast, several produce-themed festivals and the Grand Illumination Celebration at Christmas.
Photography Contributed By
Chris Pirone
