DO YOU LIVE IN ONE OF BRITAIN’S MOST DESIRABLE TOWNS? THE TOP 50 PLACES REVEALED
Do you live in one of Britain’s most desirable towns? Telegraph Money has narrowed down a list of the 50 most coveted places to live that offer a great quality of life.
These locations scored the highest across several factors, according to analysis by Savills, including the proportion of residents holding managerial and professional jobs, their level of qualifications and the state of their health.
It will come as no surprise that the majority are in the South East. All those in this region – including the overall winner, Harpenden – are within an hour’s commute of the capital.
This year, we’ve updated the figures to illustrate how house prices, even in these property hotspots, have been affected by the recent pressure on the housing market.
In half of the top 20 most desirable towns, average property values have fallen or have been at a standstill in the period between June 2024 and August 2025. Berkhamsted, Cobham and Esher recorded the greatest falls in property prices.
Towns which have bucked the trend include Harpenden and St Albans in Hertfordshire, Sevenoaks in Kent, Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire, and North Ascot in Berkshire.
“Even the housing markets of the UK’s most desirable towns have had to face up to some headwinds in recent times,” says Lucian Cook, head of residential research at Savills.
“While we would normally expect them to be among the most resilient during weaker market conditions, some of the factors that have made them so aspirational have worked against them, whether that’s VAT on private school fees or uncertainty about what is around the corner from a tax perspective.
“Of course, there are still those which have held up, and that is often the locations where demand is less heavily reliant on mortgaged buyers or where there are clusters of high-performing state schools.”
Here are the top 20; scroll down for the full list.
1. Harpenden, Herts; average price £950,000 (2024: £913,000)
- Superb range of restaurants, wine bars and leisure facilities
- 30-minute train journey to London St Pancras
- Village charm and green space
Look up what people have to say about this town, and “wealthy” and “affluent” are words that crop up – alongside “snobby”. Well-educated is certainly accurate: 60pc of the population have a “level four” qualification, equal to a bachelor’s degree.
Set between Luton and St Albans and 25 miles north of London, it attracts lots of families with “every club or class imaginable”, says one local. Another adds that you should be prepared to navigate a lot of SUVs on the roads.
Douglas Sleaper, of Savills, recommends its “twice-weekly street market and a superb range of restaurants, wine bars and leisure facilities”. He adds that there is an exceptional choice of schools, most of which are rated very highly by Ofsted.
Harpenden isn’t only about its quick train connections, adds Sally Noakes, of Strutt & Parker: “The town is flanked – at a good distance away – by both the M1 and A1, which gives you easy links to London in the south and the Midlands.”
2. Cobham, Surrey; average price £1.3m (2024: £1.4m)
- Pricey property
- Easy access to green spaces and walks
- Café society
The fact that this is the most expensive place to buy a house on our list doesn’t put people off.
Buying agent Richard Winter, who runs his own firm, says Cobham will always be hugely popular. “It has a real warmth to it and a generational feel that is almost unique. So many of my clients are trying to downsize from larger houses in Cobham, but they don’t want to move away. They want to stay in the area.”
A river running through the town and a lively café society make this a sought-after community within the commuter belt, Winter adds.
3. Beaconsfield, Bucks; average price £1.2m (2024: £1.17m)
- Excellent high street
- Great schools (including grammars)
- The Chilterns on your doorstep
While other high streets might be dying, Beaconsfield is not, says Ben Dommett, of Savills.
“In the past 10 years, and especially since the pandemic, which has made flexible working more popular, there has been a shift in the shops and restaurants on the high street.
“When you combine these brands with access to well-regarded schools [especially grammar schools], London and Heathrow, it’s not hard to see why its popularity has increased.”
Recommended
The best affordable places to live in Britain with great state schools
4. Chorleywood, Herts; average price £984,000 (2024: £1.10m)
- On the Tube and railway network
- Close to Buckinghamshire’s grammar schools
- Beautiful common
The fourth most expensive on the list, Chorleywood is a classic Metroland village (it’s on the Metropolitan Tube line as well as Chiltern Trains) and has long been popular with those wanting speedy access to the city as well as neighbouring Buckinghamshire’s grammar schools.
Chorleywood Common is what sets the village apart. At 185 acres, it’s where you will find everyone at the weekend, says Elle Coles, of Strutt & Parker.
“It has a real feel of a rural idyll – yet you’re just off the M25, and London is only half an hour away on the train.”
5. Amersham, Bucks; average price £737,000 (2024: £717,100)
- Thriving market town
- Near open countryside
- On the Tube network
“It has gone from quietly popular to one of the most talked-about towns,” says Simon Roberts of Strutt & Parker. “You can have a market town life, proper countryside and still be in central London in under 45 minutes.”
A new state-of-the-art leisure centre and schools are playing a role in boosting Amersham’s popularity. “They’ve always been a huge part of the story but with the addition of VAT on private school fees, there’s a real spotlight on the country’s top state schools.
“The two Dr Challoner’s grammar schools are exceptional and the local primaries are excellent, too. It’s why you see families moving in from north and west London, then staying for good.”
6. Hale, Greater Manchester; average price £812,000 (2024: £857,300)
- Outstanding schools, including Altrincham Grammar
- 20 minutes to Manchester centre
- Good mix of independent shops and restaurants
The first on the list that is not part of the commuter belt around London, this leafy suburb has been likened to Chiswick – fancy and family-friendly. The village of Hale is in the borough of Trafford, which retains its grammar school system – making it a big draw for parents.
7. Esher, Surrey; average price £1.3m (2024: £1.37m)
- Excellent choice of restaurants and a cinema
- Plenty of green space, including Sandown Park
- High street not as quaint as you’d expect
With a big choice of restaurants, an Everyman cinema and plenty of sports and golf clubs, Esher is favoured by those who want a bit more of a lively and vibrant feel, says Winter. Just don’t expect a quaint and quiet high street – it’s more of a thoroughfare. But for frequent flyers, it’s perfectly positioned for Heathrow and Gatwick.
8. Gerrards Cross, Bucks; average price £1.3m (2024: £1.28m)
- A commuter favourite
- Excellent schools
- Large family homes, quiet streets
GX, as it’s known by locals, is a hotspot for “living pretty but working in the city”, says Elle Coles, of Strutt & Parker. Picturesque, friendly and peaceful, the beautiful Buckinghamshire landscape is the most filmed in England (largely because it’s home to the film studios of Pinewood and Elstree).
The main draws here are good schools (including access to Buckinghamshire’s grammar schools) and the 20-minute journey to London Marylebone, adds Coles. “Parents can drop their children off at school and still be at their desks in the City for the start of the day.”
9. Berkhamsted, Herts; average price £692,000 (2024: £774,000)
- 30 to 40-minute train journey to London
- Canal walks
- Historic market town
“Berko” is invariably described as a “rural extension of London” or a “chichi canal-side market town” with a selection of locally run shops and restaurants (alongside some chains).
Direct trains to London Euston in 30 to 40 minutes make it popular with those working in north and central London.
10. St Albans, Herts; average price £700,000 (2024: £660,100)
- Queen of the commuter towns
- Huge Verulamium Park
- Home to (supposedly) England’s oldest pub
Often regarded as a commuter town, those who move here soon discover that there’s more to this place than the time it takes to travel to London (which is just 20 minutes).
“Local businesses have a big presence, such as George Street Canteen, Flower Box and Hatch,” says Visar Bytyqi, of Strutt & Parker’s local office. “And despite sitting to the west of the city, the 100-acre Verulamium Park acts as an unofficial centre thanks to it being the largest open green space.”
He adds: “St Albans is notably far more diverse than its neighbouring towns, which makes it attractive to those moving from larger, more metropolitan cities.”
11. Virginia Water, Surrey; average price £1.4m (2024: £1.4m)
- Luxury gated communities
- Easy access for the M25 and Heathrow
- Close to Windsor Park
While the average price is more reflective of the 1920s and 1930s houses near the station, those around the Wentworth golf club – hidden behind electric gates – are considerably higher.
12. Sevenoaks, Kent; average price £898,000 (2024: £848,500)
- Access to local grammar schools
- Fast trains to London Bridge
- Knole Park is nearby
Alongside an easy commute (less than 30 minutes to London with trains running into four stations), it’s the schools, with both grammar and good state options, which are the driving force behind the town’s attraction, says David Johnston, of the local Savills office.
It’s very picturesque too, says Glynn Amos, of Humberts. “Buyers love the shops, cafés, theatre and cinema because it signals a vibrant, well-rounded town centre that offers both convenience and lifestyle appeal.”
13. West Bridgford, Notts; average price £414,000 (2024: £409,400)
- Family-friendly
- Riverside parks
- Mix of shops and cafés
This affluent suburb of Nottingham, which lies south of the River Trent, is the only area in the East Midlands to make it into the top 50 list. It boasts easy access to both Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, the third oldest Test cricket ground in the world, and the City Ground, the home of Nottingham Forest Football Club.
“It’s really nice,” explains a local. “Big enough to have nice pubs and a high street. Near enough to Nottingham, but far enough to still feel like a village.”
14. Ashtead, Surrey; average price £742,000 (2024: £739,400)
- Quiet commuter village
- Good schools
- Within the London green belt
A large village inside the M25 between Epsom and Leatherhead, it is popular for the usual mix of schools, the regular services to London and a high street with (mainly) independent shops.
15. Farnham, Surrey; average price £682,000 (2024: £669,700)
- Georgian market town
- One-hour commute to London Waterloo
- Good schools
A market town with a Georgian centre, Farnham is the first in the list that is more rural than suburban in nature – and as a result, it’s a longer journey to London, in this case Waterloo.
“Farnham is bustling with thriving boutiques and cafés and there is an ever-increasing choice of places to eat and events, such as food and music festivals, regularly taking place,” says Savills’ Helen Pack.
“There are great schools, state and private, respectable commuting times and the fabulous sandy commons for the mountain biker and dog owner.”
16. Cambridge; average price £560,000 (2024: £588,000)
- World-class education
- Outdoor lifestyle
- Thriving local economy
The rise of Cambridge from 30th place in 2011 to 16th reflects the city’s reputation as a world-class science and tech hub with well-paid and well-educated professionals in its wake.
Ed Meyer, of the local Savills office, says it’s the “perfect small city”.
17. Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire; average price £770,000 (2024: £737,200)
- Riverside setting
- Culture and sporting events
- Strong community
With the regatta, two music festivals, a literary festival and a food festival, there’s always something going on in this riverside town.
“What’s not to love about Henley?” asks Victoria Knight, of Savills. “Henley is a beautiful riverside market town, with an abundance of culture that’s unusual for a town of this size.
“Furthermore, Henley is incredibly well-connected. In half an hour you can get to Heathrow or the M25, and now we have trains linking up with the Elizabeth line via Twyford.
“The beautiful countryside is reminiscent of the middle of Devon, but here you are still so close to London. As far as families are concerned, there are also excellent schools.”
18. North Ascot, Berks; average price £895,000 (2024: £849,800)
- Access to M3, M4 and Heathrow
- Proximity to Windsor Great Park
- Good independent schools
This is a small town with a big reputation, thanks to the annual race meet, say the team at Strutt & Parker. It’s divided into three: the town centre, South Ascot and North Ascot, with the latter offering better value for money as it’s slightly further away from the centre.
The area is home to Lambrook School, where Prince George and his siblings go, and is popular with recent émigrés from London who say it’s close enough for evenings out.
19. Altrincham, Greater Manchester; average price £430,000 (2024: £429,600)
- Metrolink to Manchester
- Great schools
- Lively market
“Alty”, as it’s known, is described as a “mini Dulwich”. There’s a popular market that has improved in recent years and gives the place a buzz.
“The regeneration of the market put Alty on the map, but schools are the number one reason families move here,” says buying agent Carolyn Flowerdew, who runs Property Finder Altrincham.
“Living in Altrincham gives you access to seven grammar schools, excellent state schools, plus independent options,” she adds.
20. Weybridge, Surrey; average price £693,000 (2024: £741,700)
- Leafy suburbs
- Access to the M3, M4 & Heathrow
- Good schools
Weybridge has been called the “Beverly Hills of Surrey”, filled with whitewashed mansions and exclusive estates.
2026-01-04T08:51:12Z