The best family homes near London: the top houses awarded at the Evening Standard New Homes Awards

In the outer reaches of London and the Home Counties are three outstanding new-builds fit for a family
£580,000: three-bedroom houses in Mitcham, Surrey
David Spittles23 October 2020

MILLFIELDS, MITCHAM: BEST FAMILY HOME (up to £750,000) and BEST SHARED OWNERSHIP HOME

By Redrow

Victorian London’s southward sprawl came to an abrupt halt among fields and woodlands of Surrey. Semi-detached suburbia flourished during the inter-war years, but some places lost their allure with the rise of the car.

Tubeless Mitcham, once known for lavender fields and watercress beds, is seeing a renaissance, partly due to Tramlink, which connects it to Wimbledon and East Croydon.

Today, the area is an odd blend of bustling town and rural village. Sitting in travel zone 4, it has 25-minute trains to Blackfriars and Victoria and good value homes attracting young families priced out of the centre.

A former factory complex on the banks of River Wandle has made way for Millfields, a scheme of apartments and townhouses. Three-bedroom houses with over 1,500 sq ft and an integral garage cost from £580,000.

Call 020 8712 2609.

THE ALLINGTON, PANGBOURNE: BEST FAMILY HOME UP TO £1.5m

By Millgate Homes

Perched on Pangbourne Hill, close to the pretty Thames-side village, this collection of solid detached and semi-detached family houses in big plots is reassuringly traditional.

£1.4 million: The Allington in Berkshire

With a distinctive exterior of red brickwork, pitched roofs, dormer windows, porches and scalloped tiles, the homes have interiors to match — feature fireplaces, formal dining room — and have been updated for modern lifestyles.

The first floor en suite master bedroom is glamorous with a walk-in dressing room and a sun terrace. An extra wide entrance hall sets the tone, while the top floor fifth bedroom could be made into a teenager’s den or home office.

The 3,106 sq ft house also has an integral double garage and a garden with lawn and terracing. Price £1,399,000.

Call 0118 430 0050.

HIGHGROVE, HEDSOR, BUCKS: OVER £1.5m

By Westbourne Homes

Not the Cotswolds family residence of the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, but a prestige country mansion nonetheless.

£3.125 million: Highgrove, Buckinghamshire

Nestling above the village of Bourne End in Buckinghamshire, this neo-Georgian pile is screened from the outside world first by trees and hedgerows, and by electronic gates. The gravel drive and parking court boasts a triple garage with annex above.

Behind the home’s symmetrical facade and imposing portico entrance is almost 6,000 sq ft of accommodation that incorporates everything a big family needs, from grand entertaining rooms and luxury bedroom suites to informal spaces and a library, utility and boot rooms.

The central staircase has a galleried landing while the “transparent” floorplan ensures all key spaces have views to the outside, including the wide garden with its vast limestone terrace, lawn and summerhouse. Price £3,125,000.

Call 07811 143929