Villages near London: Idyllic country retreats

Published May 20, 2024

5 mins read

Villages near London offer a contrast to the hustle and bustle of city living and whether you are looking for a place to call home or a tranquil home-from-home retreat, one of these villages could hold the key to fulfilling your dream.

London, with its iconic landmarks and bustling streets, is undoubtedly one of the world’s premier cities. Yet, beyond its borders lie numerous picturesque villages, each with its own unique charm and history.

For those contemplating a move away from the metropolitan hub, or seeking a tranquil weekend retreat within easy reach of the capital, the surrounding English countryside offers many idyllic options.

In this guide, we journey through eight villages near London, presenting a mix of history, architecture, and natural beauty. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a nature lover, or wanting a quieter pace of life, these villages offer a glimpse into country living, all within a couple of hours of the capital.

Shere, Surrey

Shere, located in the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is a good choice if you’re looking to live the village lifestyle. Known for its ‘chocolate box’ cottages and historical architecture, Shere has a large number of Listed properties and the 12th-century St James’s Church adds to its historic charm.

For a small village, Shere has a surprising number of independent shops, cafes, and restaurants, offering both convenience and access to beautiful countryside.

Shere’s location close to the A25 between Guildford and Dorking allows easy access for commuting and a wider range of amenities. Its proximity to several railway stations is an added benefit for commuters.

Castle Combe, Wiltshire

If you are considering living in one of the villages near London, Castle Combe is an idyllic location. Often cited as one of England’s prettiest villages, it is steeped in historic charm, with period properties built of Cotswold Stone between the medieval and Stuart eras. Amenities include hotels, pub restaurants, and tea rooms.

The majority of the village’s houses are Listed and unusually there are few obvious signs of modern technology with no streetlights or telegraph poles. This has made Castle Combe a popular filming location for productions such as War Horse, Stardust, and Poirot, and a favourite with tourists.

The village, which includes Upper Castle Combe, is within the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is also a designated Conservation Area.

Transport links include easy access to the M4 motorway, and the nearest railway station is in Chippenham. Castle Combe is surrounded by beautiful countryside and is close to the towns of Chippenham and Corsham, and twelve miles from the city of Bath.

Bray, Berkshire

Situated between Windsor and Maidenhead on the banks of the River Thames, the quaint village of Bray is an attractive option for property buyers considering villages near London. Home to two three-Michelin-star restaurants: Heston Blumenthal’s The Fat Duck and Alain Roux’s The Waterside Inn, the village is a draw for ‘foodies’.

Bray’s characterful High Street has a mixture of residential period buildings spanning from the Tudor to Victorian eras.

Amenities include a village hall, two pubs, a deli, and restaurants; further amenities can be found in the market town of Maidenhead and the adjacent villages of Holyport and Braywick.

Bray provides easy access to the M4 and A404(M) and the nearest railway station is in Maidenhead, which provides a direct service to London Paddington. Heathrow Airport is approximately 15 miles to the east.

Aldbury, Hertfordshire

Aldbury is another of the picturesque villages near London, which is a designated conservation area and sits within the Chiltern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Aldbury has a village green and a pond at its heart, together with a set of well-preserved stocks and a whipping post! There are a large number of period properties, and the village has been used as a filming location for programmes including Inspector Morse and Midsomer Murders.

Amenities include two pub restaurants, a shop and post office, a village hall, a café, and a primary school, and there is a vibrant community.

Tring Railway Station is one mile to the west and provides a direct service to London Euston. The A41, M1, and M25 are easily accessible, and Luton Airport is approximately 16 miles northeast.

Rye, East Sussex

In the Early Medieval era, Rye was a coastal citadel fortress protecting a strategic port. Rye is now two miles inland after centuries of sea retreat, yet this market town retains many historic points of interest including Mermaid Street, a cobbled lane of medieval and Tudor half-timber framed houses, and is widely considered one of England’s prettiest streets.

Many of the town’s residential areas lie outside the citadel and are a mixture of Victorian to modern styles. Houses within the citadel are within the designated conservation area and many are Listed.

As well as its popularity with tourists, Rye is an active port with a fishing fleet and a base for yachts. Amenities in the town are plentiful with many pubs, cafes, and restaurants, independent shops, doctor and dental surgeries, and a primary and secondary school.

Rye Railway Station provides services to Ashford International and onward to London St Pancras. There is easy access by road to Hastings, Eastbourne, and the M20 at Ashford. Gatwick International Airport is approximately 55 miles away.

Lamberhurst, Kent

Lamberhurst, within the Borough of Tunbridge Wells, is a characterful village that blends medieval history with modern-day living.

Situated on the banks of the River Teise, Lamberhurst is an undulating village with residential properties ranging from the Tudor to Victorian and modern eras. Amenities include two pub restaurants, a café, a village hall, a primary school, and a doctors’ surgery.

The Tunbridge Wells area is well-known for its vineyards and wine production due to its soil composition being similar to that of the Champagne region.

Lamberhurst is bypassed by the A21, which runs between Hastings and Sevenoaks; the nearest railway station is at Frant with a direct service to London Charing Cross. Gatwick International Airport is around 35 miles to the west.

Lavenham, Suffolk

Lavenham is one of the most beautiful and well-preserved examples of a medieval village in England.

It has retained a remarkable number of half-timbered houses washed in saturated colours such as the unique Sussex Pink, orange, and ochre. It is not surprising that much of the village is a designated conservation area with a large number of Listed properties including many at Grade I and Grade II*. The outskirts of the village offers more modern housing.

Amenities include several pubs, cafes, and restaurants, independent shops, convenience stores, a post office, doctor and dental surgeries, a primary school, and a village hall.

Lavenham has access to a network of roads making it convenient for travelling to many locations. The nearest railway station is approximately seven miles away at Sudbury, providing a service to Marks Tey and onward to London Liverpool Street. It is around 35 miles to Stanstead Airport.

Grantchester, Cambridgeshire

Grantchester is a small, charming village situated alongside the River Cam, two miles from the world-famous university city of Cambridge. The properties in the village vary in age and style from quaint thatched cottages to elegant late Georgian and early Victorian villas.

Grantchester has a village hall, three pub restaurants, and the famous Orchard Tea Gardens. It is possible to walk, or even punt, from Cambridge to Grantchester along the River Cam, through Grantchester Meadows. The popular television series ‘Grantchester’, based on the novels by John Runcie, is filmed in the village.

A wider range of local amenities can be found in the larger neighbouring village of Trumpington, including supermarkets, a primary school, doctors, dentists, and a Park & Ride service into Cambridge.

Grantchester provides easy access to major roads including the M11 and the A14. The nearest railway stations are Cambridge, with a direct service to London Kings Cross, or Shelford, with a direct service to London Liverpool Street.