Beyond your expectations

Transcription

1 TO Beyond your expectations

2 0 Introduction Moving OUT of London 7,000 6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000 Age in years ,000 Moving INTO London 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 7,000 Families with young children Students moving out of London to study High number of people aged between 30 & 40 moving out to the country Graduates and young professionals moving to London for work Students moving to London to study The thought of upping sticks and leaving the hustle and bustle of the capital in favour of a quieter life surrounded by green and fresh air in the countryside has crossed many a Londoner s mind. Recent Government data shows that more Londoners are turning this dream into a reality. In fact, Londoners have spent 70 per cent more on homes outside of the capital in the last 12 months, tallying up 17bn worth of home purchases. Over 7 per cent of all sales outside of the capital went to Londoners, with nearly half of these moving to the South East. Our graphic to the left shows the age profile of those moving from London to the South, compared to those moving in the other direction. This shows the broad trend of a flow of younger people between 18 and 20 moving out of London, mainly students off to university followed by a larger number in their 30s moving out of the city. The 30 to 40 age group makes up 27 per cent of all moves out of London, with the average overall age of those moving out being 32. Flows between our capital city and the country are a significant dynamic of the housing market. In recent years 15 per cent of our sales made outside of the capital were to buyers from London. At the top end of the market, demand from London makes up a bigger segment, more than a third of sales of properties above 1million in the past year sold in the country, were bought by buyers from London. Wealth moving out of London is a very important driver of the top end country house market. With so many variables to consider such as transport links, amenities and schools, choosing your new location can be a daunting decision. This pamphlet aims to provide you with a useful guide to some of the most popular country locations in our network. We hope you find it an inspiring and informative tool to help with your property search. Source: ONS

3 Berkshire Berkshire Spotlight on Windsor Berkshire and its iconic towns such as Windsor, Ascot and Sunningdale, offers families, couples and singles moving to the area a host of benefits. Not only does it offer easy access to the beautiful Berkshire Downs, but it enjoys great transport links to the capital and other major towns in the South of England. Berkshire is also home to some of the best schools and GCSE results in the country and lower than average crime rates. Berkshire 197, , , ,558 Windsor, a historic town, is renowned for its eclectic mix of shopping, cafés, bars and restaurants whilst also offering a host of lovely riverside walks. A short walk over the bridge leads to neighbouring Eton, home to the prestigious Eton College and its quaint mix of shops, cafés and restaurants. Steeped in history, Windsor is famous for its Castle - an official residence of the royal family and is also surrounded by The Great Park, providing public access to 4,500 acres of Crown Estate land. Sporting and leisure facilities are varied with horse racing at both Windsor and Ascot, golf at Wentworth and rowing/ boating on the River Thames. Windsor offers fantastic transport links including mainline trains to London Waterloo and Paddington (via Slough) together with access to major motorway networks including the M4, M25 and M40. It is also ideally situated for travelling to London s major airports such as Heathrow and Gatwick. There is an excellent choice of private and state schools for all ages. Primary schools include Trinity St Stephens, Queen Anne, Trevelyan and St Peter s, and for secondary, both Windsor Boys and Windsor Girls Schools. For independent education, some of the most popular primary schools are Upton House and St George s in Windsor and St John s Beaumont in Old Windsor. Secondary options include St George s and Hurst Lodge, both in Ascot and the renowned Eton College. Windsor 301, , , ,959 1,097 1,408 1,674 2,499 1,047 1,325 1,503 2,357 LAMBOURN PANGBOURNE MAIDENHEAD WINDSOR NEWBURY SWALLOWFIELD SUNNINGDALE

4 Berkshire Spotlight on Sunningdale Sunningdale is renowned as being one of Berkshire s jewels in the crown. Sat within the county s golden triangle alongside Windsor and Ascot, this large village is characterised by its variety of ultra prime property, an assortment of upmarket boutiques and restaurants and a selection of some of the UK s leading independent schools. Within an hour s commute of London, the area offers superb connections in a semi-rural location. The area is home to two world renowned golf courses; Sunningdale and Wentworth. The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club and Guards Club is also within the locality whilst few sporting venues can match the rich heritage of Ascot Racecourse, just a few miles east. Chobham Common, the largest National Nature reserve in the south east of England is nearby, whilst Legoland Windsor is another popular family attraction. Motorway links in the area are excellent; both the M3 and M25 are close by and provide a gateway west, down to Southampton and beyond, as well as Gatwick/Heathrow airports respectively. Services to London Waterloo from Sunningdale take 45 minutes. Sunningdale has an abundance of highly respected independent schools within striking distance. Wellington College, Eton College, Charters School and the ACS International School are all within the vicinity, as well as St Mary s School and Papplewick School, both in Ascot. Sunningdale 443, , ,159 1,199,657 1,014 1,252 1,443 2,366

5 Buckinghamshire Buckinghamshire Nestled amongst The Chilterns, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, many of Buckinghamshire s villages offer the quintessential British life in the countryside with a historic church, a duck pond and village green and a selection of local pubs. It s not all sleepy villages though and commuter belt towns such as Amersham, Beaconsfield and Gerrards Cross can offer the London commuter the best of both worlds with the additional benefit of some of the best schools in the country. Buckinghamshire 195,701 1, ,679 1, ,280 1, ,097 2,357 Spotlight on Marlow Marlow sits alongside the famous River Thames and is an extremely popular place for commuters to live thanks to a commute to the heart of London in a little under an hour. Marlow town centre is recognised for its history of rowing and has beautiful woodland and river walks. The town offers numerous pubs, restaurants and bars along with a range of shops and boutiques suitable for all tastes and budgets. The area is also renowned for its excellent selection of schools, right across the age spectrum. Recreation facilities can be found within half a mile at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre. The M4 and M40 motorways are nearby giving access to Heathrow airport only 22 miles away. The local railway station connects via Maidenhead to London Paddington. High Wycombe in the north connects to Marylebone. Marlow offers a good range of excellent schooling. Spinfield, Holy Trinity and Marlow Church of England Schools are all rated outstanding. Sir William Borlase Grammar School is a popular secondary school option, also rated outstanding and Great Marlow School also has a good reputation. BUCKINGHAM AYLESBURY MARLOW AMERSHAM BEACONSFIELD Marlow 281, , , , ,291 1,528 2,286

6 Buckinghamshire Spotlight on Amersham The historic market town of Amersham is located in the picturesque Chilterns, offering excellent chain and boutique shops, superb restaurants and great transport links to London. The area boasts numerous leisure and sporting facilities including The Chiltern Pools, a host of excellent golf courses and scenic footpaths and walks across The Chilterns. There are Metropolitan rail services to Baker Street and Chiltern Railway services to Marylebone (fast trains approximately 48 and 36 minutes respectively). For road users, the M40 at junction 2 (Beaconsfield) is approximately 6.5 miles distance providing access to London, Birmingham and the M25 motorway network. There are a number of highly regarded primary schools in the area such as St Mary s Church of England Primary School, Elangeni and Chestnut Lane Schools. Leading independent schools include Heatherton House or The Beacon. There are a selection of excellent secondary and grammar schools such as Dr Challoner s Grammar and High Schools and Chesham Grammar. Amersham 221, , , , ,087 1,545 2,338 Spotlight on Beaconsfield Beaconsfield is a market town in South Buckinghamshire with two distinct areas: Beaconsfield Old Town and Beaconsfield New Town. The Old Town, with St Mary s & All Saints Church, has a host of mainly independent shops, bars and restaurants and can be characterised by its variety of historical architecture including Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian properties. Whilst Beaconsfield New Town provides a thriving shopping centre together with the town s railway station and a host of modern properties. Sitting on the edge of the beautiful Chiltern Hills, one of Beaconsfield s key attractions is the great outdoors and is for walkers and horse riders alike. Beaconsfield also boasts numerous leisure and sporting facilities including, golf, rugby and football. There is also a strong tradition of amateur dramatics, with The Beaconsfield Theatre Group, Beaconsfield Operatic Society and The Chiltern Shakespeare Company putting on a variety of shows and productions. Beaconsfield New Town provides the Chiltern Railway service to London Marylebone, the fastest train is approximately 25 minutes. For road users them40 is conveniently located at Junctions 2 and 3 providing access to the national motorway network and airports. There are a number of highly regarded primary schools in the area such as Butlers Court and St Mary s & All Saints C of E Primary School and for the older children Beaconsfield High for Girls and the Royal Grammar School for Boys. Beaconsfield 505, , ,674 1,160,865 1,005 1,235 1,439 2,591

7 East Sussex Spotlight on Brighton & Hove East Sussex One of the biggest benefits of moving to Sussex is quick and easy access to the coast. Seaside towns like Brighton and Hove have long been a popular choice amongst London buyers searching for a rather different lifestyle to the hubbub of the capital but still within commutable distance. Sussex also offers the draw of the South Downs National Park with a multitude of activities for outdoors enthusiasts. Sussex 144, , , ,431 Brighton sits just below the South Downs National Park and offers its residents wonderful countryside as well as culture, history and seaside living. Hove is perched to the west of the famous seaside town of Brighton. There are numerous excellent golf courses, tennis clubs, sailing clubs and leisure clubs all within easy access. Brighton s star attractions are its world famous pier, Brighton Marina and pebbled beaches and Hove offers a gateway to smaller, sleepier seaside towns, villages and resorts such as Shoreham. Brighton and Hove offer easy access to London via the trains and motorways as well as Gatwick Airport and so are popular with commuters. One of Hove s biggest assets is the fact that it s within driving distance of all the UK s major seaports - including Portsmouth, Southampton and Dover. It s also close to Newhaven, where passenger ferries make daily trips to France. Brighton and Hove offer excellent schooling options. Amongst the best primary schools are Middle Street, Queen s Park, Somerhill and St Andrew s. Some of the most highly regarded secondary schools in the area are Blatchington Mill School and Sixth Form, Cardinal Newman Catholic School, Dorothy Stringer High School and Varndean. The best independent schools are Brighton and Hove High School, Brighton College, Roedean and Windlesham House. Brighton & Hove 217, , , , ,102 1,416 1,694 CROWBOROUGH 1 Bedroom Bedroom Bedroom Bedroom 1,329 NEWICK BATTLE RYE HOVE BRIGHTON HASTINGS EASTBOURNE

8 Hampshire Spotlight on Winchester Hampshire Bordering Berkshire and Surrey, Hampshire is another home county offering London buyers countryside living within easy reach of the capital. Hampshire is known for its stunning countryside and offers many areas of outstanding natural beauty including the North Wessex Downs and Watership Down, which inspired the book and film. One of its regions, Hart, has recently been voted the best place in the UK to live for the third consecutive year (according to Halifax). Formerly the capital of England, Winchester nestles on the western fringe of the South Downs National Park and enjoys close links to both the New Forest and South Coast. Winchester is famous for its stunning Cathedral and the city is steeped in history. For those with outdoor interests there are numerous golf courses, excellent riding and walking, world renowned fishing on the Test and Itchen as well as sailing on the south coast. The city is surrounded by many picturesque Hampshire villages. hour away by train, making Winchester a popular choice for commuters. Winchester boasts excellent state and private schooling for all age groups. St Faith s and St Bede are well reputed state primary schools, as is Kings, Westgate for secondary. Peter Symonds is a popular sixth form. For independent schools, Pilgrims, Twyford Prep, St Swithuns and Winchester College are amongst the best. Winchester 202, , , , Hampshire Winchester enjoys excellent road and rail links to the rest of the country. London Waterloo is less than an ANDOVER WINCHESTER BASINGSTOKE ALTON 1,273 1, , , , ,880 SOUTHAMPTON ,041 1,572 PORTSMOUTH LYMINGTON

9 Hertfordshire Spotlight on St Albans Hertfordshire Hertfordshire offers a little bit of everything for people moving out of London. For a start, there are at least 10 mainline stations servicing the county which provide direct trains into three of London s main stations and excellent road links with the A1, M1, A10, M11 and M25 all running through Hertford. For families with good schooling on their minds, Hertfordshire has a selection of excellent state, selective secondary and high performing independent schools. Hertfordshire also offers a great balance of buzzing towns such as St Albans and Harpenden and bustling villages like Hitchin as well as a quieter life deep in the Hertfordshire countryside. Hertfordshire St. Albans is a traditional cathedral city boasting a selection of medieval architecture. It s a truly beautiful part of the world and within commutable distance of the capital. In St. Albans you ll find a fantastic range of dining opportunities, from high-end restaurants to fast food joints where you can pick up a bite to eat on the go. The high street in St. Albans features a range of larger chains and national brands, as well as smaller boutique shops owned by local traders. St. Albans boasts fantastic transport links to nearby London with two train stations serving the area. It s a popular place to reside for commuters and the short train journey into the city is a key selling point of this wonderful city. Parents will be spoilt for choice with the number of outstanding schools in the area. Schools such as Bernards Heath, Fleetville, St Peter s, the Abbey Church of England and Aboyne Lodge all have wonderful reputations and Maple is the most popular primary school in the county. Popular secondary schools include Beaumont or Sandringham and well known independent schools are Verulum and STAGS. HITCHIN St. Albans 232, , , , ,093 1,506 2, , , , ,941 STEVENAGE BISHOP S STORTFORD 718 1,092 1,318 1,826 HARPENDEN HEMEL HEMPSTEAD ST. ALBANS WARE RICKMANSWORTH

10 Spotlight on Rickmansworth Hertfordshire Rickmansworth is a small town in south-west Hertfordshire, bordered by a host of picturesque villages. Thanks to its excellent schooling, transport links and open countryside, the area is popular amongst families and commuters alike. The vibrancy of its town centre, populated with smart cafés, bars and boutiques, sets a lively tone for its residents. The local area is known as Three Rivers in reference to the Rivers Chess, Colne and Gade that stream down from the Chiltern Hills and is listed as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Residents of Rickmansworth are able to reap the benefits of an outdoors lifestyle; the Aquadrome nature reserve with its parks, woodland, lakes and cycle routes is a popular weekend retreat. There are also a number of local golf courses including the exclusive Moor Park which boasts two championship golf courses. Rickmansworth sits just within the M25 between the M1 and M40, allowing for quick journey times to Heathrow airport, the north and west. Train and tube links are excellent; Rickmansworth is served by the Metropolitan tube line which offers a direct service to the capital in just under an hour, as well as The Chiltern Turbo which is a fast service to Marylebone in 30 minutes. Rickmansworth is home to some of the area s leading primary and secondary schools. St Peter s VA Primary School and Christ Church CofE School are some of the most coveted primary schools whilst St Joan of Arc RC School is extremely popular for secondary education. Rickmansworth is also in the catchment area for both Watford Grammar for Boys and Watford Grammar School for Girls. Independent schools include Northwood Prep and York House as well as The Royal Masonic School and Merchant Taylors School. Rickmansworth 266, , , , ,144 1,404 2,375

11 Kent Spotlight on Sevenoaks Kent Kent isn t known as the Garden of England for nothing. It is one of the UK s greenest counties and offers miles of woodlands, fields and orchards and more traditional and formal gardens which are open to the public than any other part of England. As well as its beautiful countryside, Kent has a fascinating heritage and offers a thriving culture and arts scene especially in its larger towns like Sevenoaks. As well as excellent road and rail links to the capital and beyond, Kent is also ideally located for travel to the continent. Kent 149, , ,455 1, ,493 1,993 Sevenoaks is a thriving former market town sitting amidst glorious Wealden countryside at the foot of the North Downs. With its excellent and charming selection of restaurants, cafés and shops, the area has always been popular with families and residents who have relocated from London in search of a better work/life balance. Sevenoaks is famous for Knole House and its deer park (in fact, the town was founded in the thirteenth century with the name deriving from a Saxon word meaning a small chapel by seven oak trees, originally in Knole Park). An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, there are charming villages to explore, historic houses to discover and many sporting venues to sample. Sevenoaks has superb transport links into the City of London, the Eurostar terminals and ferry ports with the motorway network providing access to London s principal airports. For commuters, Sevenoaks station has fast, direct services to London Bridge, Cannon Street and Charing Cross stations with journey times of approximately 30 minutes. Sevenoaks itself offers internationally renowned schools such as Sevenoaks School and Walthamstow Hall and is in close proximity to Tonbridge School. The area s nationally envied grammar school system includes Tonbridge Grammar, Judde and Skinners Schools. For primary, the best state options are Riverhead, Amherst and Sevenoaks and for independent primary options, The New Beacon, Solefields and Sevenoaks Prep. SEVENOAKS TONBRIDGE TUNBRIDGE WELLS BROADSTAIRS WHITSTABLE DOVER FOLKSTONE Sevenoaks 208, , , , ,011 1,367 2,144

12 Spotlight on Tunbridge Wells Kent Royal Tunbridge Wells is the only Spa town in the south east of England. Tunbridge Wells has a wonderful community spirit with activities for all ages and as such, is regarded as a large village. The Pantiles, the old commercial centre of the town, is a 17 th century pedestrian-only shopping area. The Chalybeate Spring was discovered in 1606 and in summer months the Dippers can be seen offering its healing waters to tourists For fine dining the beautiful Hotel du Vin with its elegant décor, is a fine example of a property designed by the famous Victorian architect Decimus Burton. The famous Chef, Jamie Oliver, will also be opening one of his restaurants in the High Street in the next few months. Apart from the famous Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells also enjoys two Commons which extend to some 256 acres with their sandstone outcrops of Toad Rock and Wellington Rocks. There are two mainline stations in the town both offering fast commuter services to London in under an hour. From Tunbridge Wells you can also take the A21 which connects to the M25 and national motorway network. Tunbridge Wells is fortunate to still have the Grammar School system and within the area there are six grammar schools for both girls and boys. Highly regarded schools are Judd, Skinners and the Tonbridge School. Many families move into the area specifically for these schools. Tunbridge Wells 211, , , , ,072 1,869

13 Oxfordshire Spotlight on Oxford Oxfordshire Oxfordshire offers something for everyone; people relocating from London can seek the familiar buzz of city living in the vibrant and exciting Oxford or choose a more rural location in a small and quintessential market town such as Chipping Norton or Deddington, both of which offer a much more peaceful lifestyle. Perhaps best known for its educational heritage, as well as having a good selection of primary and secondary schools and of course universities, Oxfordshire also offers excellent hospitals such as the world renowned John Radcliffe Hospital. Oxfordshire 197, ,919 1, ,064 1, ,108 2,024 Oxford is a historic and internationally renowned city, particularly due to its famous university, which is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious learning institutions in the world. There s culture and history all around Oxford. The city plays host to a plethora of theatres as well as a fantastic selection of shops from larger chains to smaller, independent retailers. Oxford is also home to numerous wellstocked libraries, and even a few nature walks. As well as being famous for Oxford University, the city is also well known for its industries including manufacturing, education and publishing. Some of the most influential books in the world were published in Oxford. Oxford is in an excellent position for great road, rail and train transport links to the capital as well as the rest of the country with the M40 and M4 in close proximity. Oxford offers a range of well reputed state and independent schools. Some of the best state primaries include Beckley, Wolvercote, Pegasus and St Joseph s. For state secondary options, Cheney and Cherwell are both popular. Amongst the best independent schools in the area are D Overbroeck s, The Dragon School, Magdalen and Summerfields. BANBURY DEDDINGTON CHIPPING NORTON OXFORD FARINGDON HENLEY-ON-THAMES Oxford 248, , , , ,218 1,457 1,906

14 North-East Somerset Spotlight on Bath Somerset is a beautiful, rural county and offers a much slower pace of life to people relocating from London. It has a range of thriving market towns as well as bustling cities and offers coastal living as well as the beautiful landscapes of Exmoor National Park. There is a well established arts and crafts culture in Somerset and the majority of towns and villages benefit from excellent community spirit. The good mix of well respected state schools is complemented by some of the county s best private schools. Bath is an ancient city which achieved World Heritage status many years ago. This famous spa town dates back to Roman times and is home to some of the finest Georgian architecture in the country, as well as more modern examples. Bath is home to the UK s only natural thermal spa. The architecture in Bath is truly breathtaking and attracts visitors from all over the world. Some of the finest examples can be found at the Royal Crescent and Great Pulteney Street. The number of restaurants, bars and other attractions add to the draw of this cosmopolitan city, boasting some of the best entertainment outside of London. Bath benefits from excellent transport links with regular services from the Bath Spa railway station to London Paddington, Bristol, Cardiff, Plymouth and other major UK towns and cities. Bristol International airport lies less than 20 miles to the west. Bath boasts an excellent range of options for schooling. Amongst some of the best are Royal High, Monkton Combe, Oldfield and St Gregory s. Bath 235, , , , ,153 NE Somerset North-East Somerset KEYNSHAM LANSDOWN 1, , , , ,420 BISHOP SUTTON FARMBOROUGH BATH ,039 MIDSOMER NORTON

15 Surrey Spotlight on Haslemere Surrey is regarded as an excellent commuter county for people still connected to the capital. Guildford, Godalming, Farnham and many other Surrey towns and villages can offer the London commuter quick and easy access to Central London - many towns and villages are within an hour s commute with some of the most appealing aspects of countryside living. Haslemere is a quaint market town nestled in Waverley, Surrey. It is home to a bustling high street where weekly markets are still held and it s a hotspot for fresh, local produce. A visit to the Haslemere Museum is the perfect way to spend an afternoon as there s fun for all the family. Haslemere is a great place to go walking and be at one with nature - every weekend Haslemere sees a small influx of people looking to take advantage of the beautiful scenery and pleasant paths that the area has to offer. Transport links to London are particularly strong; there s a direct service between Haslemere s station and London Waterloo. This strong rail link with the capital makes Haslemere a popular place for commuters to live when working in London and the surrounding area. There are a range of good state primary schools in the area; amongst the best are Camelsdale and Shottermill First and Middle Schools. Woolmer Hill Technology College is one of the best state secondary schools. Some of the most popular independent schools include Amesbury, The Royal School, St Edmunds and Haslemere Prep. Haslemere 194, , , , ,166 1,223 2,093 Surrey Surrey 219, , , ,970 WOKING WEYBRIDGE EPSOM BANSTEAD 844 1,246 1,533 2,380 GODALMING GUILDFORD DORKING HASLEMERE

16 Spotlight on Guildford Surrey Situated on the banks of the River Wey, Guildford, the county town of Surrey, occupies a natural gap in the North Downs. Guildford has excellent road and rail connections to the south east of England. Located equal distance from London and Portsmouth, the town gained early importance as a staging post for travellers, civilian and military. In modern times the town has retained its importance as a communication hub and market town, and gained a contemporary cathedral, modern university, worldclass sports facilities and extensive shopping and commercial developments. The High Street has been described as one of the most attractive streets in England, and the claim is well deserved due to the array of shops available. There are two market locations in Guildford, the High Street with its Farmers Market on the first Tuesday of each month and North Street, where a traditional market flourishes every Friday and Saturday. There are also theatres, cinemas, a museum and numerous pubs as well as over 240 different retailers. The partly restored Norman keep is open between March and October with excellent views across the town and surrounding countryside. Dominating Stag Hill is the cathedral, an example of modern design. Guildford railway station is at one of three main railway junctions on the Portsmouth direct line and serves the town of Guildford. It is 30.3 miles (48 km) from London Waterloo. The A3 gives access to central London and the south coast and via the M25 at Wisley (Junction 10) to Heathrow and Gatwick Airports. Schools The area is extremely popular due to its wide range of schools for both boys and girls, including Guildford High School for Girls, Tormead School, Guildford County school, Royal Grammar school and Boxgrove Primary school, to name but a few. Guildford 241, , , , ,144 1,348 2,080

17 Spotlight on Godalming Surrey Godalming is a historic market town with a thriving High Street, regular markets and a strong sense of community. The shops and businesses found in Godalming encompass everything from small, independent boutiques, convenience stores and major supermarkets through to gyms, cafés, pubs and restaurants. Two of the most famous landmarks in the area are the parish church, the Phillips Memorial (commemorating Jack Phillips, a local man and wireless operator on the Titanic) and the iconic Pepperpot town hall. Godalming boasts fantastic rail links to London (approximately 45 minutes by train) and is within close proximity to both Gatwick and Heathrow airports. Godalming offers a good selection of both state and independent schools. For the former, Busbridge, Rodborough and Godalming Sixth Form have the best reputation. For independent schools, Charterhouse, Aldro, Prior s Field, St Hillary s and King Edward s School in Witley are amongst the best. Godalming 238, , , , ,152 1,479 2,023 Spotlight On Dorking & Reigate Dorking and Reigate are two market towns in Surrey, around 20 miles south of London. They both play host to healthy high streets brimming with a variety of shopping experiences from independent specialty shops to national chains. Reigate is home to two non-league football clubs along with a rugby club. The Leith Hill Music Festival, founded in 1905 by Margaret Vaughan Williams, is held every April in Dorking. The festival lasts for three days and is open to participating local choral societies. Dorking is also a Fair Trade town, having received the status in Dorking is proud to boast a local museum along with a library and a number of pubs. Dorking station is mainline to both Victoria and Waterloo and Reigate service runs to London via Redhill. Both Dorking and Reigate are close to the M25 motorway. The best local state schools in Dorking are St Paul s Church of England School (primary) and Ashcombe (secondary). Highly regarded independent schools are Belmont and St. Teresa s. For Reigate, Sandcross and Reigate School have excellent reputations as state schools. The best independent schools in the area are St Marys, Micklefield and Reigate Grammar. Dorking & Reigate 204, , , , ,041 1,316 1,718

18 Gloucestershire Spotlight on The Cotswolds Gloucestershire Home to the Cotswolds, Gloucestershire is known for its chocolate box style of property, rich heritage and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Towns such as Cheltenham, Stroud and Painswick have become very desirable areas to move to, with their grand architecture, great schooling and strong links to London, Bristol and Birmingham. Gloucestershire 153, , , ,947 1,053 Cheltenham is the central town in the area, famous for its architecture, lovely parks, great shopping and world renowned festivals. The desirable Roman town of Cirencester is often referred to as the Capital of the Cotswolds and the bustling North Cotswold village of Broadway offers sophisticated village living in the heart of the Cotswolds. If you are looking for an active life and adventure, the area offers so much. The location is ideal for anyone with an interest in horses whether riding or watching as Cheltenham is home to the National Hunt Festival at Prestbury Park racecourse. The Cotswold Way, a national walking trail takes in an array of beautiful views. Or if fabulous shops and restaurants are more your style, then Cheltenham and Cirencester and the village of Broadway offer great shopping, Michelin Starred restaurants and cosy country pubs. The Cotswolds cover an area that is well located for access to the M4 & M5 and the A40/ M40 plus there is a regular direct train service to London Paddington, Birmingham, Bristol and International Airports at Bristol and Birmingham. There is an excellent choice of schools throughout the Cotswolds area, however Cheltenham is particularly renowned for its schools notably Cheltenham Ladies College, Cheltenham College, Dean Close and Pates Grammar and Cirencester is home to the Royal Agricultural University. BROADWAY CHELTENHAM PAINSWICK STROUD CIRENCESTER Cotswolds 155, , , , ,299

19 Wiltshire Spotlight on Salisbury Located in South West England, Wiltshire is a county that is characterised by its wide valleys and long reaching countryside views. There are many famous landmarks within Wiltshire, including the Salisbury Plains and Stonehenge and it is home to many country houses, which are rich in British heritage. Wiltshire is also home to some fantastic schooling, with over 20 county secondary schools and many independent schools including the ever popular Marlborough College. With great transport links via road and rail, Wiltshire is a great location to commute into Bath, Bristol and London. Wiltshire 136, , , ,039 1,093 Salisbury is a cathedral city located in the south east of Wiltshire, known for its fine English landscape and home to one of the finest medieval cathedrals in the UK. Described as the city in the countryside, Salisbury is both picturesque and vibrant, populated with smart restaurants and cafes, with an extensive variety of shops. Salisbury was recently voted in the Top Ten Cities in the World to visit by The Lonely Planet Guide The city s key attraction is its magnificent medieval cathedral which is home to both the Magna Carta and the oldest working clock in Europe. Outside the city centre and just 8 miles to the north sits Stonehenge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Another major attraction is the beautiful open spaces of the New Forest National Park, surrounded by quintessentially English villages and towns. Salisbury is an ideal location for commuters to London, with a direct train line to London Waterloo in 88 minutes. The A303 and M3 provide fast access to the M25. Southampton International Airport is about 20 miles from Salisbury city centre. Salisbury has excellent grammar schools including South Wiltshire for Girls and Bishop Wordsworth for Boys. In terms of independent schools the city s leading schools include Cathedral School, Chafyn Grove, Leadenhall Prep School and Godolphin Girls School. Outside of the city and within easy reach are Sherborne, Clayesmore, Milton Abbey, Sandroyd, Brynston, and St Mary s Shaftesbury. MARLBOROUGH Salisbury 157, , , , ,049 SALISBURY Wiltshire

20 BROADWAY 8 BUCKINGHAM 9 BANBURY CHELTENHAM 11 DEDDINGTON hrs 2 hrs PAINSWICK CIRENCESTER STROUD BRISTOL Rail Commuter Times No. Town Commute 1. Alton... 1 hr Amersham mins 3. Banbury...1 hr Bath...1 hr Beaconsfield...33 mins 6. Brighton & Hove...1 hr Bristol...1 hr Broadway...2 hrs Buckingham...1 hr Caterham...45 mins 11. Cheltenham... 2 hrs Chichester...1 hr Cirencester...1 hr Deddington...1 hr Dorking & Reigate...1 hr 16. Epsom mins 17. Esher mins 38 No. Town Commute 18. Farnham mins 19. Fleet mins 20. Gerrards Cross...30 mins 21. Great Missenden...45 mins 22. Guildford mins 23. Godalming mins 24. Haslemere...1 hr 25. Haywards Heath...45 mins 26. Henley-on-Thames...1 hr 27. Horsham mins 28. Liphook...1 hr Maidenhead mins 30. Marlborough...1 hr Marlow...1 hr 32. Newbury...1 hr 33. Oxford...1 hr 34. Painswick...1 hr BATH 1.5 hrs MARLBOROUGH 4 MARLOW 31 HENLEY-ON-THAMES 30 No. Town Commute 35. Rickmansworth mins 36. Sevenoaks mins 37. St. Albans mins 38. Stroud...1 hr Sunningdale mins 40. Tunbridge Wells mins 41. Weybridge mins 42. Winchester...1 hr Windsor...45 mins For those highlighted towns without train stations, times include drive to nearest station. GREAT MISSENDEN AMERSHAM 21 OXFORD hr 32 NEWBURY 42 WINCHESTER SUNNINGDALE 1 ALTON RICKMANSWORTH GERRARDS CROSS BEACONSFIELD WINDSOR FLEET FARNHAM 12 CHICHESTER mins 41 WEYBRIDGE 28 LIPHOOK HASLEMERE 22 GUILDFORD GODALMING 24 MAIDENHEAD ST ALBANS ESHER EPSOM HORSHAM DORKING & REIGATE 37 LONDON HAYWARDS HEATH 6 BRIGHTON & HOVE 36 SEVENOAKS CATERHAM 40 TUNBRIDGE WELLS

21 Hamptons International Office Network M6 M42 M69 M5 M6 M42 M45 Stratford-upon-Avon M40 M1 M5 Broadway Banbury Deddington Buckingham M11 Cheltenham A1M M5 Bristol Bath Stanmore Muswell Hill Hampstead Islington St John s Wood Hyde Park & Bayswater Notting Hill Mayfair City Ealing Kensington Knightsbridge Chiswick Sloane Square Chelsea Pimlico Barnes Battersea Fulham East Sheen Richmond Putney Clapham Teddington Dulwich Kingston upon Thames Wimbledon Balham Painswick Stroud Cirencester M4 LONDON Canary Wharf Tower Bridge Greenwich Blackheath Marlborough Salisbury Oxford M40 Great Missenden Amersham Rickmansworth Marlow Beaconsfield Henley-on-Thames Gerrards Cross 32 London Offices Newbury M4 Maidenhead Sunningdale M3 Chichester St Albans Mayfair Windsor (Head Office) Esher Weybridge Epsom M25 Caterham Fleet Guildford Sevenoaks Dorking Farnham Godalming & Reigate M3 Alton M23 Haslemere Tunbridge Wells Liphook Winchester Horsham Haywards Heath Brighton & Hove M25 M20 Canford Cliffs