Those who move out of London often focus on the surrounding areas, the so-called Home Counties: Surrey, Sussex and Kent to the south; Berkshire and Buckinghamshire to the west; Middlesex, Hertfordshire and Essex to the north and east. Slightly further out are Hampshire, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire, which also balance of country life with easy access to the metropolis.
Surrey is the county most associated with the ‘stockbroker belt’: it’s very close to London but still leafy and attractive and boasts world-famous estates such as St George’s Hill and Wentworth. Its market towns like Haslemere and Farnham have great amenities and quick rail links back into the capital.
Sussex is perhaps best characterised by the views offered in the beautiful South Downs, but there are also vibrant cities such as Brighton and Chichester which offera real cosmopolitan mix.
Kent, the Garden of England, has been growing in popularity for those moving out of London for some time, and country houses in Kent are remarkably good value compared to those in neighbouring Sussex or Surrey.
Many parts of Hampshire are very pretty and yet still commutable to London – Kingsclere and Winchester are both within an hour of Waterloo, the former a classic English village, the latter with its medieval cobbled streets and fun markets one of the most desirable Cathedral cities in the country.
In Berkshire, towns and villages such as Bucklebury, Bray, and Yattendon are justly famous, while in Buckinghamshire the likes of Long Crendon are both practical and picturesque.
Herfordshire has the charming city of St Albans to recommend it while Harpenden and Hertforshire are also enduringly popular, while Essex has countryside that inspired Constable as well as 350 miles of coastline.
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An exception to the law which saw many of Kent's finest estates divided among families and therefore unable to support a traditional country house lifestyle, Pettings Court remains one of the most extensive holdings in the parish.
Kentlands is a remarkable Grade II-listed Arts-and-Crafts house in an idyllic location, sitting along a beach in the private Sandwich Bay Estate.
Ozone was granted permission through Paragraph 55, an extremely rare clause which allows permission under the condition that the property “reflect the highest standards in architecture”.
In this 150th anniversary year of Lutyens’s birth it’s especially intriguing to find a house on the market undoubtedly designed by the great man, with gardens created by his friend and mentor, Gertrude Jekyll.
The Surrey Hills are rightly renowned for being full of beautiful homes in spectacular settings. Holly Kirkwood picks out some of the best on the market right now.
A restored gardener’s cottage, Applegarth bears far more than simple garden tools today. Phoebe Bath reports.
Property writer Arabella Youens is naming her favourite small cities in Britain – under the microscope in this piece is Cambridge.
Property writer Arabella Youens is naming her favourite small cities in Britain. Today she turns her gaze towards the fine little spot of Winchester.
Dunsfold is an ideal spot for those moving out of London: out in the countryside but within easy reach of great schools, the bustling local hub that is Guildford and with quick rail links for when you need to get into town. Penny Churchill takes a look at a property that's up for sale in this desirable area.
The word 'legend' is bandied around all too frequently these days, but the man selling this home in the Surrey Hills really is a bona fide national treasure. Penny Churchill takes a look.
The Croft occupies an idyllic plot in the North Downs, with space, seclusion and just enough room to roam.
93 Southmoor Road provides the perfect combination of city living and country lifestyle, ideal for those wanting to move out of the city but not let go of the excitement just yet.
This glorious 17th century home is full of charm and period details – no wonder the owners tend to stay for a while...
A former pillar of the community lived in this delightful house in Essex, commutable to London despite being a place filled with charm and beauty.
Within a mile of the picturesque town of Marlow lies Quarry End, a house with a spectacular position that's ripe for new owners to put their stamp on it.
Chawton is famous as Jane Austen's former Hampshire home – and one of the finest houses in the village has come to the market.
Tree Cottage comes with a charming, wooden garden studio built for his own use by the talented Gilbert Spencer, younger brother of Sir Stanley Spencer. Penny Churchill reports.
Church House is a beautiful home in rolling countryside not far from Salisbury that has come to the market in superb condition. Penny Churchill reports.
