Property insider: 20 of the most popular commuter hotspots within an hour of London — north and south of the river

New research by Savills reveals the homes within a short walk of mainline stations with easy journeys to the capital, from Beaconsfield and Hertfordshire north of London, to Surrey and Kent in the south.
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Fleur Buckley8 February 2018

The great exodus of buyers leaving London in search of a perfect commuter lifestyle — quality local schools, a quick commute, and a nice house in a vibrant town or pretty village – reached record levels last year.

Almost 75,000 households quit the capital during 2016 and all the signs suggest that 2017 could see an even greater migration.

In terms of value for money, a move beyond Greater London makes obvious sense. A house — or even a flat — in the capital can usually be parlayed into a good-sized family home in a popular commuter location.

The question is, which one?

To help answer this key question, Savills has analysed the house prices of homes an easy walk from more than 400 commuter stations within an hour’s travel of the capital to highlight the home counties’ copper-bottomed commuter stars both north and south of London.

TOP 10: NORTHERN STARS

Area Travel time (minutes) Average Second Hand Sale Price (12 months to Oct 2016) Five year change in average second hand sale price
Beaconsfield 25 £1,046,597 31%
Gerrards Cross 22 £1,046,180 25%
Radlett 22 £988,182 32%
Seer Green 33 £882,699 26%
Chorleywood 31 £749,806 53%
Harpenden 23 £700,098 26%
Chalfont & Latimer 37 £698,419 12%
Great Missenden 42 £689,292 38%
Oxford 55 £674,152 27%
Cuffley 34 £664,391 27%

(Source: Savills)

TOP SPOT: BEACONSFIELD
Beaconsfield has long been rated high among London’s commuter destinations.

It has the good looks, the quality independent shops, cafes, and restaurants, and some truly gorgeous property whether you want an edge-of-village manor house or a pretty period cottage at its heart.

It also has a fantastic commute – just 25 minutes to Marylebone – and the M40 is a couple of miles’ drive away.

Throw in proximity to the Chiltern Hills – really just as pretty as the Cotswolds and a lot closer to the capital – and it is easy to understand why this Buckinghamshire hotspot exerts a magnetic pull on those considering a move out of London.

The average price of a property in Beaconsfield stands at £1.05m, up almost a third over the last five years.

“The typical buyer is someone from West London, aged around 30 to 45 years old,” said Chris Moorhouse, director of Savills. “They have got young children, so they want good schools, and they need to commute probably every day.”

Education is one of Beaconsfield’s big assets. With good state schools, selective grammars and independent schools, parents are, says Moorhouse, “spoiled for choice.”

“The other thing is that even though you are outside London, Beaconsfield is fairly cosmopolitan,” he added. “In some ways it is more efficient to live here and commute into London than it is to live in many parts of London.

£1.25 million: this charming Grade II-listed four-bedroom house is set on an elevated plot by Chorleywood Common
Savills


HONOURABLE MENTION: CHORLEYWOOD
For buyers concerned with price growth potential, Chorleywood, in Hertfordshire, has performed outstandingly well over the last five years. Prices have soared 53 per cent to just under £750,000 as buyers flock from London to the commuter village which sits at the gateway to the Chiltern Hills.

Chorleywood’s success is very much based on its fabulous train links. It is on the Tube network and journeys to Marylebone take just over half an hour.

It also has great schools – the other key driver of price growth – including the Ofsted “outstanding” St Clement Danes School for seniors. And, while not traditionally chocolate box pretty, locals say Chorleywood retains a real sense of community making it a great place to live.


TOP 10: SOUTHERN CHARMERS

Area Travel time (minutes) Average Second Hand Sale Price (12 months to Oct 2016) Five year change in average second hand sale price
Oxshott  35 £1,475,775 6%
Cobham & Stoke D'Abernon 38 £1,133,696 21%
Effingham Junction 43 £933,182 31%
Claygate 32 £911,505 24%
Horsley 47 £871,497 30%
Esher 23 £850,858 41%
Hinchley Wood 28 £825,064 38%
Worplesdon 31 £808,173 21%
Weybridge 34 £659,969 18%
Sevenoaks 34 £616,974 13%

(Source: Savills)

Surrey has long had a “golden triangle” of sought after commuter towns. Cobham and Weybridge are both featured in Savills’ top ten options for commuters but it is the triangle’s easternmost post which has been the standout performer in terms of investment.

ONE TO WATCH: ESHER
The third area in the triangle, Esher, has enjoyed very healthy price growth of 41 per cent in the last five years, pushing its average house prices to just over £850,000.

Buyers traditionally move to the town from prime west London suburbs like Richmond, Putney, and Chiswick, in search of more space.

Esher also has a great commute. Trains to Waterloo take from 23 minutes. Heathrow, Gatwick, and the M25 are all handily close by.

Property ranges between fine 1920s and 1930s family homes, and some seriously huge more contemporary houses on private estates.

£1.65 million: a pretty family home superbly located in a private cul-de-sac near the sought after West End village area of Esher, yet within a mile of the town centre
Savills

The high street is high end, there are plenty of restaurants and bars, and the local state and private schools are all of a high standard.

Esher’s price growth, said Karl Matier, a director at Savills and head of its Esher office, is being sustained by a flow of buyers moving from south west London. “They often have friends and colleagues who have already moved into the area, and they recognise the value for money compared to where they are coming from.

“A lot of buyers are based in the City and it is a very easy journey; it would probably take them longer from Wimbledon.”

Whether price rises can be sustained is impossible to forecast with 100 per cent accuracy but Matier believes that sales of homes priced at £1.5m or less is still “free flowing”, and the town’s relative value means there is room for growth. Above £2.5m, where increases in Stamp Duty have hit buyers across the UK, he sees less chance of growth in the short and medium term.

HARD TO BEAT: WORPLESDON
For commuters who want to spend as little time as possible on the train Worplesdon, with its 31 minute commute, is a hard to beat option, and faster than many commutes within London.

An average property in this quiet Surrey village, surrounded by open countryside, starts at just under £810,000, up 21 per cent over the last five years, and it is beloved by buyers looking for a really rural feel and a period home.

Yet it is within three miles from the shops and restaurants of Guildford.

The village has some beautiful examples of Edwardian villas and cottages.

A well thought of village school, and some lovely traditional pubs nearby, only adds to the subtle charms of Worplesdon.

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