As London expands, with more people wanting to live and work in this wonderful and exciting city, commuter towns are becoming increasingly popular. Whether you are looking for somewhere green and quiet to raise your family outside of the city, or you’re just hoping to find a slower pace of life, there are plenty of wonderful places outside of London that you could call home.
London is met on the west by Berkshire and on the south east by Kent. These lovely counties are historically agricultural and dotted with charming villages and market towns. However, as London has grown, so too have the transportation links between these counties and Britain’s capital. In the past, a move to Kent or Berkshire might have represented a full severance from city life, but now these counties provide more of a hybrid model of big city life and work and beautiful, spacious country and village living. In the list that follows, we consider some of the best places to live outside of London, taking into account their transport links, education opportunities, and social amenities. If you are considering making a move outside of London, there will be somewhere on this list that suits you.
Faversham, Kent
This gorgeous town has been voted the best town to live in Kent – and this is no small honour, given Kent is greatly served by well-appointed, charming towns and villages. Faversham is most well known for its breweries and its fresh local produce. As a result, the town has plenty of great places to eat and drink. For those looking to commute, there is a train station with excellent links to London. By car, the A2 provides access to Sittingbourne and Canterbury. Faversham also boasts a number of excellent public and private schools, which makes it a great option for those with children or those looking to start a family.
Maidenhead, Berkshire
Maidenhead is a good-sized town in Berkshire and one of the best for commuter access to London. Maidenhead is serviced by the new Elizabeth Line which runs directly from London and will get from town to city in under thirty minutes. Living here means having the best of both worlds: effortless convenience and everyday comfort. From sleek apartments to world-class amenities, Maidenhead offers a lifestyle that feels refreshingly different from the rest. It’s a place where work meets home, and where residents quietly enjoy a unique way of living.
Reading, Berkshire
Reading is a stunning historic town in Berkshire. For those looking to escape the intensity of London but still want the convenience of city living, Reading is the place to consider. The town is well-stocked with major shopping outlets for daily necessities and is also surrounded by gorgeous countryside and smaller satellite villages like Sonning, Tilehurst, and Caversham. Reading is well connected, with train and bus routes leading directly to London. It is also a cultural hub, holding the Reading Festival every year, featuring some of the most exciting acts in music and bringing an influx of visitors, artists, and food vendors to the city. As a university town, Reading is the place to be for those with a creative and intellectual edge. With a whole host of wonderful galleries, museums, and libraries, locals enjoy a culturally rich and diverse lifestyle.
Sevenoaks, Kent
Sevenoaks has to be among the most beautiful towns in the United Kingdom, and it is certainly one of Kent’s many jewels. The town boasts one of the oldest state primary schools in the country, Lady Boswell’s Church of England Primary School, which has been open since 1675. There are also several famous private schools: Sevenoaks School, New Beacon School, and Sevenoaks Preparatory School. Sevenoaks was the home of Winston Churchill, arguably Britain’s most famous Prime Minister. At Chartwell, his country home, there are vast collections of the great man’s artwork and his personal effects, and on a sunny day, you can walk the garden’s extensive woodland paths. You might also visit Hever Castle, once home to Anne Boleyn, second wife to King Henry VIII. Sevenoaks is alive with history and locals enjoy some of the most alluring historical attractions in the country. Replete with fantastic food, great bars and pubs, and outstanding local theatre, the town is well-connected by road to London and the local station has trains running to London Charing Cross and Blackfriars.
Twyford, Berkshire
For locals, Twyford offers idyllic village life, set in rolling green meadows alongside the River Loddon. The village itself is nestled beside the bucolic Loddon Nature Reserve, with a serene lake home to wintering birds, butterflies, and dragonflies. Residents in Twyford are treated to the quieter side of life, with an abundance of nature walks, breathtaking scenery, and a small-town community. London is only a thirty minute commute from the village, with the Elizabeth Line running through the local station. There is a strong sense of community in Twyford, and residents enjoy many annual events, like the Twyford Beer Festival. The village is also well-connected to London by roadways.
These wonderful locations are poised to become more popular with those looking to work in London while they maintain a more spacious and peaceful quality of life outside of the city.
