60 Minute commute to London – Top commuter locations

There are many locations across the UK that offer a 60 minute commute to London, ideal for the occasional commuter, or the very hardy ones.

A property that offers the ability to reach London within an hour or so usually appeals to those who do not need to be in the capital every day from 9-5, though some do choose to make the long journey each day.

For these areas it’s likely that internet speed is high up on the list of priorities for buyers along with the quality of life on offer – we’ve seen a distinct rise in digital commuters.

With a move to the country, or simply to a new city, becoming more and more appealing these top commuter locations might be worth considering if you are looking for the best place to live with around a 60 minute commute to London.

Banbury, Oxfordshire

Commute to London from Banbury

Journey time from 56 minutes from Banbury to London Marylebone

Banbury is in North Oxfordshire and is located just to the east of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The town is growing in popularity due to the availability of pretty stone cottages to buy and the easy access to both London and the Cotswolds. From Banbury station, there are also regular services into Birmingham New Street in around 44 minutes.

Not only is the historic town exceptionally pretty, but it also has a thriving high street and families have a selection of good schools to choose from in the area.

Independent schools within easy reach include St. Johns Priory Prep School, Carrdus Tudor Hall for girls and Bloxham School.

Property for sale in Banbury has been deemed to offer buyers fairer prices than many other locations in Oxfordshire. Though villages near Banbury such as Bloxham and Eydon might appeal greatly to those who commute irregularly and don’t mind a short drive to the station on the occasion they use the service. Nearby the Cotswolds town of Chipping Norton or village of Kingham are both particularly sought after but simply do not offer the easy train commute that Banbury residents benefit from.

Winchester, Hampshire

Commute to London from Winchester

Fastest trains take 58 minutes from Winchester to London Waterloo

The cathedral city of Winchester is known for its beautiful historic architecture, impressive cathedral and highly regarded schools. For those seeking a place to live that is quaint yet still large enough to avoid boredom coming in a few months after moving, Winchester could be a perfect option.   

Winchester is naturally hilly and in many areas properties boast views over the city. To the south of the centre, St Cross is amongst the most desirable areas to buy a home, property for sale in the area includes impressive Victorian and Regency houses.  

The city boasts many highly rated state-run schools catering to all ages, with several rated Outstanding by Ofsted. Independent schools include The Pilgrims’ School, Winchester School and St Swithin’s. The small and very attractive city has a strong community with events run year-round. There are regular markets held in the centre of town and residents benefit greatly from ready access to the South Downs National Park.

Farnham, Surrey

Commute from London from Farnham

Fastest journey 54 minutes from Farnham to London Waterloo

Farnham is an attractive Georgian market town in Surrey’s most westerly point, the town lies very close to the border with Hampshire and has several beautiful open green spaces on the doorstep. It’s one of the best places to live if you’re looking for a home that offers a 60 Minute Commute to London.

The towns centre is filled with a mix of shops both independent and chains, and there’s an excellent selection of pubs, restaurants and cafes.

Property in Farnham, especially in the centre of town is largely period, including grand Georgian homes and roads of Victorian terraces and semi-detached houses, plus 1930s houses from ‘between the wars’. Compton Way, which lies eastward towards Farnham Golf Club, has large, gated properties built in a variety of styles, and is particularly sought after as is the Great Austins area of Farnham.

Families are drawn to Farnham for the excellent schools, access to the countryside and multiple beauty spots and the many recreational and leisure facilities in the locality.

Top schools in Farnham include South Farnham primary school, which families will often seek to be within the catchment area for and Weydon School and All Hallows RC which are both highly rated.

Farnham Railway Station provides regular services to London Waterloo, and there is easy access to London by road from the A31 leading to the A3 at Guildford.

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire

Commute to London from Cambridge

Journey length 48 minutes from Cambridge to London Kings Cross

As home to one of the world’s oldest and top-performing universities, it is of little surprise that the schools in Cambridge have such high standards and produce excellent results. Families regularly relocate to Cambridge and seek to be within a short distance of particular schools such as The Perse School, Cambridge International School and Sancton Wood.  

Cambridge isn’t just a collection of fine schools, the city is reputed to have an incredibly high quality of life on offer. From the beautiful buildings, green spaces, riverside living, independent shops, passion for cycling and a strong sense of community – Cambridge has a great deal of appeal.

As a place to live it attracts young professionals, many of whom work in Cambridge but there are also those who need to reach London regularly making the fast train into Kings Cross particularly handy.

Odiham

Commute to London from Odiham

Trains from Odiham to London Waterloo

Typical journeys from Odiham to London Waterloo take a little over the desired 60 Minute Commute to London, but many consider it well worth the extra travel time.

Odiham is a pretty, historic village in Hampshire with a range of individual shops and restaurants housed within the half-timbered Tudor and classically symmetrical Georgian properties in the High Street. 

Odiham has smaller villages nearby, the most popular being Crondall, Long Sutton, and Upton Grey. The closest towns offering a larger range of amenities include Farnborough and Basingstoke.

The village has a recreation ground, tennis club and cricket club. The surrounding countryside offers many opportunities for enjoying nature, and the Basingstoke Canal is popular for walking and canoeing. Nearby are the Four Seasons Hotel at Dogmersfield and the renowned Newlyn’s Farm Shop with café and cookery school.

The area is very convenient for commuters with Hook Railway Station and Winchfield Railway Station providing regular and direct access London Waterloo. Excellent road links to London are found by joining the M3 at Hook, which leads to the M25. The M3 also leads southwest to Southampton.

Rugby

Commute to London from Rugby

Journey times upwards of 57 minutes from Rugby to London Euston

A large market town in Warwickshire, Rugby is situated approximately 80 miles northwest of London and is known for its history, architecture, and close-knit community.

The town is home to several historic landmarks, including Rugby School, which was founded in the 16th century and known as one of Britain’s top public schools.  The sport of Rugby football was first played at the school in the 19th century and is now an international sport.

Much of Rugby’s architecture is Victorian, having been built as a result of the town’s growth after the arrival of the railway line in 1838.

Rugby offers a range of shops, restaurants, cafes, a theatre and cinema; the Rugby Art Gallery, Museum and Library opened in 2000. There are several parks and green spaces to enjoy including Caldecott Park and Brownsover Hall Park.

There is a strong sense of community and a range of local events and festivals are held throughout the year including the Rugby Food and Drink Festival and the Rugby Festival of Culture, which celebrates comedy, theatre, music, and art.

In terms of transportation, Rugby is well-connected to London with a direct rail service to Euston Station, and the M1 and M40 motorways are easily accessible.

Newbury

Commute to London from Newbury

Travel time of around 58 minutes to London Paddington

Newbury, an old market town in Berkshire, lies around 60 miles west of London and is known for its historic town centre featuring a range of independent and high street shops, restaurants, and cafes housed in beautiful period buildings.

The town is also home to historic buildings such as the 16^th century St. Nicolas Church, which has beautiful architecture and intricate stained glass windows.

Newbury has one of the UK’s major racecourses, and outside recreational spaces include Victoria Park and Northcroft Park. There are beautiful walks and cycling trails and the Kennet and Avon Canal passes through the town centre.

The town has a strong sense of community, with amenities such as the Watermill Theatre and the Corn Exchange, which houses a 400-seat auditorium and an independent cinema. There are a range of local events and festivals held throughout the year, including the Newbury Spring Festival of classical music, the Newbury Comedy Festival, and the Newbury Waterways Festival.

Newbury Railway Station provides a regular and direct service to London Paddington, and there is easy access to the A34, which connects Oxford and Southampton, and the M4 motorway to London and South Wales.

Wadhurst

Commute time to London from Wadhurst

Around 1 hour 5 minutes to London Charing Cross

Wadhurst is a small town in East Sussex seven miles southeast of Royal Tunbridge Wells. In 2023 Wadhurst was named as the best place to live in the UK by The Sunday Times. It offers a travel time of just over the desired 60 Minute Commute to London.

For a small town, Wadhurst provides lots of amenities such as a range of independent shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants occupying period timber-framed or tile-hung properties. The town has historic landmarks such as Wadhurst Castle, which dates back to the early 19th century and features interesting architecture and beautiful grounds, and St Peter and St Paul Church, parts of which date back to the 12^th century.

Wadhurst’s parks and green spaces include the Wadhurst Recreation Ground and Bewl Water Reservoir, which provides a variety of water sports and other activities. The town has a strong sense of community and local events are held throughout the year, such as Wadhurst Summer Fair and Wadhurst Christmas Market. There are also roughly 40 local clubs and societies on offer.

Wadhurst is well-connected to London with a regular and direct train service to London Charring Cross, and easy access to a major road network.

Colchester

Commute to London from Colchester

58 minutes to London Liverpool Street

Colchester is a city in Essex approximately 60 miles northeast of London. It received city status in 2022 as part of Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Civic Honours.

Colchester is believed to be the oldest recorded town in Britain with a rich history dating to the Roman Conquest of 43AD. The city has several historic landmarks including portions of the Roman Town Wall, and the 11^th century Colchester Castle and its park of 28 acres, which contains beautiful gardens, two museums, a children’s play park, and cafe.

The buildings in the city centre date from many eras, with a large proportion of Victorian properties built after the railway line arrived in 1843. A range of independent and high street shops, pubs, cafes, and restaurants can be found along High Street, the Lion Walk Shopping Centre and the narrow streets of the South Lanes.

To the north of High Street is The Dutch Quarter, an area of residential streets with pastel-coloured houses of different styles dating from the 16^th century to more modern buildings.

In addition to Castle Park, Colchester has many green spaces including High Woods Country Park and Abbey Field. The city has a strong sense of community, art galleries, theatres, and local events such as the Colchester Food and Drink Festival and the Roman River Festival celebrating classical music.

Colchester North Railway Station has a direct service to London Liverpool Street and the A12 and A120 major road routes are easily accessible from the city.

Market Harborough

Commute to London from Market Harborough

57 minutes to London St Pancras International

Market Harborough is a vibrant market town in Leicestershire, situated between Leicester and Northampton which offers the ideal 60 Minute Commute to London.

The majority of the buildings in this historic town centre are of Georgian architecture, with some older landmarks such as the Old Grammar School, a school room built on stilts in 1614 so the butter market could be held underneath and be sheltered. The oldest parts of St Dionysius’ Church (St. Di’s) date back to the 13^th century with many additions, alterations, and repairs made in later centuries. The church steeple is considered one of the finest in the country.

Market Harborough offers a mix of high street shops and independent boutiques, cafes and restaurants, and just south of the river is the indoor Harborough Market with over 60 independent traders.

The River Welland runs through the town, and an arm of the Grand Union Canal is routed into the north of the town, terminating at the Union Wharf Marina. Other outdoor spaces include Welland Park and Burford Green.

Market Harborough Railway Station has a direct service to London St Pancras, Leicester, and Nottingham. Major roads including the A6 and A14 are easily accessible.

Haslemere

Commute to London from Haslemere

Travel time around 1 hour 4 minutes to London Waterloo

Haslemere is an attractive town in the south of Surrey, around 13 miles southwest of Guildford, known for its period timber-framed and tile hung properties.

The town has two areas providing shopping and amenities: High Street, which is the oldest part of the town, and Wey Hill, a later development to the west of the town centre. Both areas provide a good selection of independent shops, pubs, and cafes to serve this affluent town.

Haslemere has a strong sense of community, with local events and festivals held throughout the year including the Haslemere Fringe Festival and the Haslemere Food Festival. Haslemere Hall is a theatre, cinema and music venue offering an extensive and varied programme, and the Haslemere Educational Museum showcases the town’s heritage.

Haslemere is in the heart of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and also offers a range of parks and green spaces, including the Swan Barn Farm area of ancient woodland and pastures, Lion Green, and a recreation ground of 8.5 acres.

There are direct train services from Haslemere Railway Station to London Waterloo and Portsmouth. The A3 major road bypasses Haslemere between London and the south coast.

60 Minute commute to London

These areas are all around a 60 minute commute to London, which station you need to ideally reach will also have some impact on the decision about the best place to live as it might be that you need to take a train and then a journey on the underground to reach your final destination. It’s important to factor in your entire likely journey to ensure its realistic and feasible.

There are also areas that are within a 60 minute commute to London that require a short drive to the station – for those seeking a more rural home setting there are many locations that will appeal, many of which are outside of the typical commuter hotspots.

Conducting searches across the UK, our team of professional property finders have many years’ experience searching for homes that are in ideal locations for commuting into London. To talk to us regarding your plans to move, property requirements, to discuss locations and to learn more about our services please do contact us, without obligation.