How close to London should we book?
How close you stay to the city depends entirely on your group’s priorities. Country houses near London including Surrey, North Kent, Hertfordshire, and parts of Buckinghamshire are great for day trips into the city (only an hour each way), elderly guests attending for the day only, and those who want to Uber from the local station. The downside is, as you’re still in the commuter belt, you miss out on some of the more dramatic landscapes hiding further afield.
At 75 to 90 minutes outside of London, you’ve got the Sussex Downs, Chilterns, Kent Weald, and rural Essex. That little extra journey time gives you a proper countryside feel: dramatic landscapes, real rural pubs. But London day trips are still just about on the menu.
Beyond 90 minutes the benefit of being close to London diminishes and you’re better off looking at the Cotswolds, Norfolk, or the Peak District. These are only two hours from London but the payback in terms of countryside and space are well worth it.
If your group is looking for a mix of city and country, we’d recommend anything in the 75-to-90-minute range.
Can we do London day trips from these properties?
Yes, absolutely. But just to manage your expectations, if your property is 80 minutes away from a central London station, you’re looking at a three- or four-hour round trip by the time you’ve factored in train journey, underground and walking to the attraction.
Our advice? Plan one big London day, leaving on an early train and getting back early evening having seen two or three big attractions. It’s more affordable and more efficient than a few short trips to see a different thing each day. This way, you get to enjoy the property and its surroundings as well. Keep an eye out for properties near major stations such as Sevenoaks, Guildford, Tunbridge Wells, and Berkhamsted) to make this type of trip easier.
Another great approach is to let those who are interested head into the city for the day while the rest relax and enjoy the house and the local scene. You can all come back together and share your adventures over dinner.
What attractions are near London Home Counties properties?
In Sussex, you’ve got hiking in South Downs National Park, wonderful Brighton, the opera at Glyndebourne, Arundel Castle, and Lewes.
In Kent, you’ll find Canterbury Cathedral, Dover Castle, the famous white cliffs, Leeds Castle, Sissinghurst gardens, oysters in Whitstable, and Rochester’s Dickens connections.
In Surrey, check out RHS Wisley gardens, Box Hill, Windsor Great Park, and Hampton Court Palace.
In Berkshire, there’s Windsor Castle, Ascot Racecourse, and riverside walks along the Thames.
In the Chilterns, you can explore Hughenden Manor, the Roald Dahl Museum, and Waddesdon Manor, the Rothschild estate with an incredible wine cellar.
Most properties sit 20 to 30 minutes from a few great attractions, so you won’t be short of things to see and do.
Are Home Counties properties more expensive than other regions?
Generally, yes. Home Counties properties not only benefit from being close to London, but they also experience the highest demand for short breaks (Thursday to Sunday is typical) since London-based groups don’t need to take a full week off or rent a car. But there is still a huge variety in price even in this small region so you should find something for your budget.
At the top end, you’ve got Surrey and Buckinghamshire properties near wealthy commuter towns which command premium pricing. Expect to pay £6,000 to £10,000 for weekend bookings sleeping 16.
For better value, look at rural Essex, parts of Kent away from tourist hotspots, and mid-Sussex where properties average £4,000 to £6,000 for similar bookings.
If you’re on a real budget, Essex and Hertfordshire properties match those in Surrey and Kent for quality but cost significantly less.