Eight Best Places to Live Near London

London is a vibrant city with a great deal to offer, from the incredible culture and entertainment to the unrivalled career opportunities.

While living in inner city London comes with its own benefits, it’s not for everyone. Some prefer to distance themselves from the everyday hustle and bustle, settling for a quieter location with opportunities to reach the capital when it suits them.

This includes many beautiful towns and villages within easy reach of London, enabling residents to enjoy the city’s charms following a short commute.

Here’s a helpful guide to the very best places to live near London.

Surrey

A photo of the Surrey hills, showing vineyards, fields, and meadows in the bright morning sun.

As the most wooded county in England, Surrey seamlessly blends countryside with convenience, making it ideal for people who want to live near London.

Surrey provides the flexibility to commute into the city during the week but enjoy a more rural lifestyle at home.

There are plenty of things to do in Surrey too:

Here are some locations in Surrey that are ideal for a near-London lifestyle.

1. Staines-upon-Thames: Convenient connections near London

Located within walking distance of the town’s train station, Eden Grove in Staines-upon-Thames offers a seamless blend of convenience and escapism—facilitated by the beautifully landscaped gardens.

Spacious and light-filled one, two and three-bedroom apartments make for an ideal home, not least because of its proximity to the train station.

Learn more about Eden Grove and nearby developments.

2. Cranleigh: A village feel close to the big city

An idyllic village on the edge of the Weald, Cranleigh is home to our Leighwood Fields neighbourhood of three and four-bed properties.

Surrounded by green space and part of a thriving community with outstanding schools, it’s a perfect new family location.

See why Leighwood Fields is one of the best areas to live near London.

Buckinghamshire

A Buckinghamshire water garden, featuring expansive grass and swans swimming near a river footpath.

Another of the home counties, Buckinghamshire has a mix of big towns like Milton Keynes and High Wycombe along with tranquil countryside villages.

Set in areas of outstanding natural beauty and national parks, it’s easily one of the best places to live in England but close to London, for the best of both worlds.

With so much green space, it’s a great location for outdoor activities as well as historic places to visit like Bletchley Park and Hughenden Manor.

There’s also many indoor and outdoor activities to enjoy as a family in Buckinghamshire, including:

Here’s our favourite location for near-London living in Buckinghamshire.

3. High Wycombe: Woodland homes 30 minutes from the Capital

A thriving market town surrounded by countryside, High Wycombe is the perfect combination of urban and rural to act as a base away from London. Abbey Barn Park is set amongst ancient woodlands and offers one and two-bed apartments in a luxury development just outside of the town centre and only 26 minutes away from London Marylebone by train.

Learn more about the Abbey Barn Park development.

Hertfordshire

A public walkway running along a picturesque pond in a leafy Hertfordshire neighbourhood.

A county full of wonder and magic—where the Star Wars and Harry Potter movies were filmed at Elstree studios—excellent road and rail connections mean you won’t need an X-Wing or a broomstick to commute into London.

It’s a county with several large towns like:

  • St Albans
  • Watford
  • Hertford
  • Stevenage

But Hertfordshire is also one the best places to live close to London if you prefer the kind of sleepy villages that exemplify the home counties.

There’s also plenty to keep you busy in Hertfordshire, including:

Here are some details on prime Hertfordshire locations to live near London.

4. Watford: Easy London commuting by rail and road

Possibly one of the best-known commuter towns around London thanks to its amazing road and rail connections, Watford has much more than just its location going for it. The Exchange Watford is a great place to live with a mixture of stylish and contemporary apartments set in over one-and-a-half acres of green space—all just four minutes walk from Watford Junction station.

Learn about The Exchange Watford and see what makes it a great place to live.

Berkshire

A picture of the undulating hills and tree-lined drive in the grounds of Windsor Castle in Berkshire.

A county with Royal connections galore, not least because it’s the home of Windsor Castle, where the King spends most of his time these days.

Berkshire is host to major Royal events, but it’s also where you can find Eton College, Ascot Racecourse and Heston Blumenthal’s famous restaurant The Fat Duck, amongst many other well-known locations.

There’s plenty of family-friendly things to do in Berkshire, such as:

  • Visiting Royal locations
  • Enjoying the fun and thrills of LEGOLAND
  • Exploring woodlands and forests
  • Taking part in outdoor activities that the whole family to enjoy

Take a look at some of the best locations to live in Berkshire, ideal for people who want to live near London.

5. Ascot: Beautiful developments in a village setting

Home to the famous racecourse and Royal Ascot, there’s much more going on in and around this town, including our Sunningdale Park development boasting a selection of restored historic estate buildings. Nestled between Sunningdale and Ascot, Sunningdale Park is just 10 miles to Heathrow or 27 miles to central London, putting residents in proximity to other sought-after locations.

Explore Sunningdale Park, a stone's throw from London.

6. Reading: Quiet homes nearby a bustling town atmosphere

Reading is a busy commuter town but you can enjoy all the benefits of that with the peaceful village life of Green Park Village just minutes away from the town centre. Inspired by New England houses and apartments and with a Market Square and new primary school, Green Park Village in Reading is the perfect family location.

Learn more about Green Park Village and register your interest today.

Kent

The charming high street of a picturesque Kent town, featuring rows of shops, trees and a red postbox among characterful period buildings.

Kent has long been a popular county for Londoners looking to live a little further out from town, or just for a day trip to the golden sands of Margate.

Today, Kent is also a prime location for commuting into the capital thanks to extensive rail networks that make it easy to enjoy the slower pace of life while still being able to get into the heart of London quickly. Nearby, Dover also offers easy connections to Europe and beyond.

From fantastic British scenery to stunning dog walks and kid-friendly days out, Kent offers plenty of things to delight the whole family, along with lots of history.

7. Hildenborough: Idyllic country life near London

With a train station that gets you to London Bridge in just 32 minutes, Hildenborough is surrounded by 30 acres of beautiful Kent countryside, serving more rural lifestyles without compromising convenience.

Centred around a redeveloped Grade II listed building, Oakhill offers an exceptional collection of apartments and houses—many of which capitalise on the impressive views of the surrounding countryside.

Learn about Oakhill and arrange a viewing today.

8. Royal Tunbridge Wells: Historic spa town living

A spa town that drew wealthy visitors from London for centuries, it’s now a great location for countryside living with connections to the capital. Hollyfields in Royal Tunbridge Wells offers a stunning collection of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, two-bed coach houses and three and four-bed family homes, making it perfect for a wide range of commuters.

See why Hollyfields is one of the best areas to live near London.

Discover the Best Places to Live Near London

London is a city brimming with excitement. Whether you're looking for your perfect spot close to the heart of the action, or just a short commute away, there's a place for everyone with a development by Berkeley Group.

For those seeking a quieter atmosphere while staying close to the capital, Surrey, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Hertfordshire and Kent are some of the best places to live near London at any stage of life. Explore some more of the best commuter towns that offer a balance of city access and a relaxed pace.

Looking for the best places to live in England and close to London? Browse our new developments and find your dream location.