One of Surrey's best-kept secrets: classic-style country houses in commuter village next to Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Guildford, the county town of Surrey, is some 30 miles from London just off the A3.

It has a cathedral and castle and is a commercial centre in its own right, with tech and financial services companies attracting “reverse” commuters from London.

The regular and fast train service to and from Waterloo takes 35 minutes, making Guildford and the surrounding area a popular choice for home buyers.

Young professionals seek out town-centre apartments, while middle-aged managers and executives buy big family houses in nearby commuter villages because they seem such good value against similar properties in less well-connected parts of the home counties.

Pretty Ewhurst parish nestles at the foot of the Surrey Hills, and as such is a green gateway to an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

“It’s one of Surrey’s best-kept secrets,” says Nick Stonley, managing director of developer Millwood Designer Homes, which has launched Tree Tops, a scheme of classic-style country houses priced from £399,950 to £1,175,000 for the interior-designed five-bedroom showhome. Call 01483 677663.