45 Minute commute to London – Where to buy

Looking for a property in a location that offers a 45 minute commute to London?

For those looking to be a little further away from the city, perhaps seeking larger properties in greener surroundings, this blog highlights the locations that offer a 45 minute commute to London, the types of homes available to buy and reasons why they’re wonderful places to live.

Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Commute to London from Tunbridge Wells

40 minutes to London Charing Cross

Not only is Tunbridge Wells (formally Royal Tunbridge Wells since 1909) a very pretty historic town famed for the Pantiles and iron rich waters, it is also a wonderful place to live surrounded by scenic rolling hills.

Families are particularly attracted to this commuter town for the excellent schools of which there are many extremely highly rated establishments in the area, catering to all ages. There are also three reputable grammar schools; Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar, Tunbridge Wells Grammar for Boys and Skinners for Boys.

Property for sale in Tunbridge Wells includes some beautiful examples of period architecture from all eras. Some of the most desirable properties in the town are the large detached Victorian houses on roads such as Nevill Park, Calverley Park, Camden Park and Hungershall Park.

Epsom, Surrey

Commute from London to Epsom

33 minutes to London Waterloo

The Surrey market town of Epsom is well known for being home to one of the most famous horse races in the world; The Derby, which is at the beginning of June each year.

Epsom is an incredibly desirable place to live in Surrey. It is an idyllic commuter town and has much to offer residents.

As with many towns in Surrey period property is found throughout the town and includes fine examples of Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian architecture from large detached homes to small and pretty Victorian cottages. There is also a good selection of 1920’s semis and more modern apartments can be found in the town centre.

Commuters can reach London Waterloo and London Victoria stations in under 45 minutes and both Gatwick and Heathrow airports are just a short drive away. There are excellent schools to cater to children of all ages, both state and private. Independent schools in the area include Epsom College and the City of London Freemen’s.

Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire

Commute to London from Henley-on-Thames

41 minutes to London Paddington

The picturesque riverside town of Henley-on-Thames is popular with its residents for its community, top schools, rowing history, the excellent pubs and cafes and for the life by the river on offer. Whilst it is not possible to travel directly from Henley to London, with a change or two and the right connections the commute time can be as low as 41 minutes – ideal for those who need to travel into London a few times a week.

Henley-on-Thames is famed for its annual Royal Regatta which attracts some of the world’s top rowers and many spectators over the course of a few days. Rowing is a popular activity in the town year round – there’s even a river and rowing museum.

Henley-on-Thames is located on the edge of the Chiltern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty residents can enjoy immediate access to beautiful countryside.

The town itself has much to offer its residents; the popular Kenton Theatre and three-screen cinema, the Leander Club and Phyllis Court private members clubs and a plethora of places to eat, drink and shop including many boutiques and independent shops.

Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire

Commute to London from Princes Risborough

34 minutes to London Marylebone

Princes Risborough is a small town located on the edge of the Chiltern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The town’s residents are quite used to extraordinary visitors stopping by on occasion as the prime minister’s country house, Chequers, is located not too far away.

There are a number of useful amenities within Princes Risborough and for a wider selection, Aylesbury and High Wycombe are just a short drive away. There are schools in the area for all ages and the town is within catchment for some of Buckinghamshire’s top grammar schools.

Property in Princes Risborough ranges from period cottages to 1930’s houses located on quiet cul-de-sacs. The nearby village of Monks Risborough and the hamlets of Askett and Whiteleaf are very desirable places to live and are just a short drive away.

Chelmsford, Essex

Commute to London from Chelmsford

32 minutes to London Liverpool Street

Chelmsford is an established commuter city in Essex – the excellent transport connections, top schools and beautiful surrounding countryside make it a very popular place to want to live.

Property in Chelmsford is varied in age and style and ranges from modern city centre apartments to grand Georgian houses and Edwardian Villas on the city fringes and in the surrounding villages such as Writtle.

The city is a popular choice with families seeking larger homes outside of London. There are many highly regarded schools in the area including King Edward VI Grammar School and Chelmsford County High School for Girls and local sporting facilities are excellent; there are clubs and sessions run for all types of sports from ice skating to diving. 

Stansted Airport is just a 20 minute drive away for trips in and out of the UK and the beautiful Hylands Park House and Gardens is on the edge of town. Chelmsford offers a very fast commute to London and an excellent quality of life.

Didcot, Oxfordshire

Commute to London from Didcot

37 minutes to London Liverpool Paddington

The town of Didcot is approximately 12 miles south of Oxford and is known for its strong transport network, science and technology industries, and beautiful surroundings.

Didcot was a small and fairly insignificant village until its railway station, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, was built in 1844. Additional housing for railway workers was needed, so existing half-timbered houses were demolished and replaced by Victorian tenement properties. As a result, very little of the original village remains.

There are several science and technology campuses close to Didcot including the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Milton Park, and Culham Science Centre.

Didcot’s shops, restaurants, and cafes can be found along Broadway and in The Orchard Shopping Centre. There are many green spaces to enjoy including Ladygrove Park and Didcot Community Orchard; a range of local events are held throughout the year including Didcot Food Festival and Didcot Christmas Street Fair. The most sought-after places to live are the villages and small towns surrounding Didcot such as Sutton Courtenay, Dorchester-on-Thames and Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, but the convenience of the commute from Didcot Parkway Railway Station to London Paddington or Oxford is a major draw. Didcot also has access to an excellent road network with the A34 bypassing the town, and the M4 and M40 nearby.

Peterborough, Cambridgeshire

Commute to London from Peterborough

32 minutes to London Liverpool Street

Peterborough is a city in Cambridgeshire situated on the River Nene roughly 70 miles north of London. The most notable landmark in Peterborough is its magnificent 12th-century cathedral, which is an excellent example of Early English Gothic architecture.

Peterborough has a large variety of shops, restaurants, and cafes along Westgate and Broadway, as well as in the Queensgate and Rivergate shopping centres. The city has several large parks and open spaces, including Nene Park, The Boardwalks Nature Reserve, and the Art Deco Lido outdoor swimming complex with surrounding gardens.

The city offers much to enjoy socially, such as the Key Theatre, New Theatre, and the Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery. A range of local events are held throughout the year including the Peterborough Heritage Festival, the CAMRA beer festival, and the Peterborough Christmas Market.

Peterborough is well-connected by train to London Kings Cross, Cambridge, and Nottingham. The city is also at the heart of an excellent road network with easy access to major A routes.

Goring, Reading

Commute to London from Goring

45 minutes to London Paddington

Goring is a quaint and characterful Oxfordshire village situated between Didcot and Reading. The village lies on the east bank of the River Thames and is surrounded by the beautiful countryside of the Berkshire Downs and Chiltern Hills.

Its location on the river makes Goring popular with boating and watersports enthusiasts, and the surrounding countryside offers stunning views and designated walking routes including The Chiltern Way, The Ridgeway, and the Thames Path.

Goring provides a range of independent shops, restaurants, pubs, and cafes, as well as green spaces such as the Gardiner Recreation Ground, Sheepcot Recreation Ground, and Withymead Nature Reserve. The village holds events throughout the year including the Goring and Streatley Regatta and the Goring and Streatley Food Festival.

Goring and Streatley Railway Station has direct services to London Paddington, Reading, and Didcot. The village also has easy access to a major road network including the A34 and M4 motorway.

Wokingham, Berkshire

Commute time to London from Wokingham

41 minutes to London Paddington

Wokingham in Berkshire is a historic market town lying six miles southeast of Reading. It is consistently voted one of the best places to live in the UK.

One of the most recognisable features of Wokingham is its market square with 13th century origins, which is still used for markets and events today. Sited in Market Place is the imposing Victorian town hall, and other landmarks in the town include All Saints Church founded in the 12th century.

Wokingham has a range of high street shops, independent boutiques, restaurants, and cafes, and many parks including Cantley Park and Keephatch Park Nature Reserve. Annual local events include the Wokingham May Fayre and the Wokingham Winter Carnival; social attractions include an Everyman Cinema, Wokingham Theatre, and events at Dinton Pastures Country Club.

Wokingham Railway Station has a direct service into London Waterloo or a faster commute into London Paddington with a change at Reading. The easily accessible road network includes the A322 and the M4 and M3 motorways.  

Leigh-on-Sea, South Essex

Commute to London from Leigh-on-Sea

47 minutes to London Fenchurch Street

Leigh-on-Sea is a small town in Essex, 30 miles east of London, on the northern bank of the Thames Estuary.

Although ‘Leigh’ sits alongside the much larger ‘seaside resort’ of Southend-on-Sea, it offers a very different proposition. Leigh-on-Sea has an edgier, higher-end feel, but has also retained its charm, with a focus on independent shops, boutiques, characterful pubs, and a variety of eateries and coffee shops.

The town’s oldest buildings are in Old Leigh, southeast of the railway station facing directly onto the estuary. The arrival of the railway in 1855 led to the expansion of the town, with most properties being built in the Victorian and Edwardian eras. These include Broadway, the main shopping street, and the residential Marine Parade, with its large, elevated houses and views over Belton Hills Nature Reserve and the Thames Estuary.

Other open spaces include Leigh National Nature Reserve, the Saltmarsh and Mudflats, and Bell Wharf Beach. The town puts on several annual events including Leigh Folk Festival and Leigh Regatta.

Leigh-on-Sea Railway Station has a direct service to London Fenchurch Street, and a road network including the A127, which leads to the M25, is easily accessible.

Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire

Commute to London from Bishop’s Stortford

39 minutes to London Liverpool Street

The historic market town of Bishop’s Stortford lies roughly northeast of London between the capital and Cambridge.

The period buildings in Bishop’s Stortford’s town centre contain a range of independent and high street shops, cafes, pubs, and restaurants. It has several other historic landmarks, such as St. Michael’s Church, which dates back to the 12th century, and the Corn Exchange, a Georgian building built in the Greek Revival style.

Bishop’s Stortford’s parks and green spaces include the Castle Gardens, Sworder’s Field, and the countryside trail alongside the River Stort, which runs through the town centre. The town has a strong community spirit with a range of local events and festivals held throughout the year, including Bishop’s Stortford Carnival and the Bishop’s Stortford Christmas Fayre.

Bishop’s Stortford Railway Station has a regular and direct service to London Liverpool Street and Cambridge. The M11 motorway bypasses the town and connects London to Cambridge, and there is a network of other major roads.

45 Minute commute to London

These locations are some of our favourites located within the 45 minute commute to London – there are around 70 locations in total that offer a similar commute time that might be suited to your requirements. Have you considered asking for advice from a property finder? Our team are experienced in sourcing homes for those who need to commute into London and the various locations within a reasonable distance of the capital.

There are also several locations that offer fast and direct travel options that enable a 30 minute commute to London for those who want to travel for the shortest time possible and for those who need to visit London irregularly there are many areas which offer a 60 minute commute that could work perfectly – the best location depends on lifestyle and preferences.

To discuss your plans to move and to learn more about our tailored property finding services please do contact us for a no obligation discussion.