New family commuter houses in Surrey: Coulsdon is just 20 minutes from London Victoria with Help to Buy homes from £565k

The Victorians assuaged their sense of guilt about lunatic asylums by building these architecturally magnificent “hospitals” in commanding hilltop locations, close to train tracks to make commuting easy for staff and visiting friends and family.

Though grim, these institutions were designed as “uplifting” self-contained villages, with a chapel, workshops, allotments, a main hall for recreational activities and outdoor sports pitches.

Cane Hill in Coulsdon, Surrey, was no exception. Set in 200 acres, it was built on elevated land in the middle of the green belt.

Charlie Chaplin’s mother was treated there as well as the brothers of David Bowie and Michael Caine.

Bowie’s Seventies album The Man Who Sold the World came with an illustration of the psychiatric hospital’s clocktower.

Prior to its closure in 2006, the hospital controversially escaped a heritage listing and was later ravaged by fire.

Developer Barratt eventually acquired the site for an estate of 677 new homes, called Cane Hill Park, in a new parkland setting.

Three older buildings are being refurbished, including a water tower that survived the blaze.

With a baby on the way, City commuters Antony and Liz Berry put down roots at this new address, buying a four-bedroom house.

“We think it’s an ideal place to raise a family,” says Mr Berry, 32, who works at the Museum of London.

“We have our own garden, and the estate grounds are vast, plus open countryside is on the doorstep.”

From nearby Coulsdon, trains to Victoria take 21 minutes. London Bridge services take 28 minutes.

Houses start at £564,995 with London Help to Buy available. Call 0333 355 8503.