Is it possible to have your cake and eat it when it comes to choosing somewhere to live? Can you really enjoy the mental and physical health benefits of living in the countryside without enduring an arduous commute into London on however many days a week you’re in the office? Well, if you look hard enough you can absolutely find charming towns with easy access to the countryside that also benefit from a direct train link into London. Here are 6 of them.
NEXT READ: This historic market town is under an hour from London and packed with independent shops and cafes
Billingshurst, West Sussex
Billingshurt is a small town (or large village, depending who you ask) located a few miles south of the bustling market town of Horsham in West Sussex. It boasts a mix of Victorian and modern architecture, with a thriving High Street featuring independent shops, cafes and a supermarket. Billingshurst Primary and Weald School are both highly regarded, making Billingshurst a top choice for families. Nestled on the edge of the South Downs National Park and with the River Arun and the Wey and Arun Canal nearby, Billingshurst has easy access to some of the south-east’s most picturesque countryside. But it comes with convenience too; a direct train link connects the town with London Victoria in under 1hr 15mins.
Haslemere, Surrey
The delightful market town of Haslemere in Surrey is renowned for its bustling high street featuring boutique shops and cafes housed in a mix of stunning Georgian and Victorian buildings. Haslemere is surrounded by the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which is best viewed from the nearby Hindhead Commons and the Devil’s Punchbowl, an extraordinary landscape of heathland and ancient woodland. Celebrating its rural location, Haslemere hosts a Farmer’s Market once a month where a wide range of delicious local produce is on show. With a direct rail connection into London Waterloo in just under an hour, Haslemere is the perfect mix of convenience and rural charm.
Stowmarket, Suffolk
Located in Suffolk, Stowmarket mixes medieval roots with modern convenience. As its name suggests, Stowmarket has been a centre for the buying and selling of produce since the 12th century. Its long history is evident in the characterful buildings of the market square and surrounding streets, home to a good range of shops and eateries. Located in the centre of the county, residents of Stowmarket have easy access to the best of Suffolk’s quintessentially rolling countryside, including Dedham Vale made famous by the artist Constable. Direct trains run regularly from Stowmarket station into London in under 1.5 hours.
Wallingford, Oxfordshire
Wallingford is an attractive historic town on the banks of the River Thames. Focussed around the town square and its 17th century town hall, Wallingford’s charms led to its selection as a key filming location for the iconic series Midsummer Murders. As well as a good range of shops and boutiques, Wallingford also hosts regular markets and has several well-regarded pubs including the Boat House on the riverbank. Unsurprisingly, much of the activity in Wallingford revolves around the water, with an open air swimming pool and boat hire available in the summer months. Trains from nearby Cholsey station into London Paddington take about 1 hour making Wallingford a particularly attractive option for commuters looking to mess about on the river.
Oxted, Surrey
Well-heeled Oxted is a favourite among escaping Londoners, and for good reason. The town boasts a bevvy of independent cafes and boutiques alongside some high street staples, plus excellent schools. Nestled between the North Downs and the Weald of Kent, Oxted is surrounded by stunning countryside. Winston Churchill himself was so enraptured by the area that he purchased nearby Chartwell in 1924, which is now owned by the National Trust and open to the public. The town also benefits from a fast train link to London of just over 30 minutes.
Crowborough, East Sussex
The East Sussex town of Crowborough lies in the heart of the High Weald and borders Ashdown Forest, the landscape that inspired Winnie the Pooh author A. A. Milne. This location makes Crowborough the perfect destination for lovers of the outdoors, with walking and cycling trails aplenty on the doorstep. The high street is well stocked with shops and coffee shops, and families are well catered for with a range of well regarded schools at both primary and secondary levels, including Cranbrook School, one of the few state boarding schools in the country. A direct train links Crowborough with London Bridge in just over one hour.
The Hattie 