Where to move to in England which has these features

[Chocguzel]

Help me narrow down places DH and I should house hunt. We have lived in London most of our adult lives but we’re both raised rurally. We will keep a flat in London.

it needs to be within two to three hours of London as kids will likely live here and I want to see them easily.

it needs to feel rural and be an area you can walk for miles without seeing lots of buildings

it needs to have a bit of cultural life relatively nearby: a theatre, some nice restaurants

a friendly community which doesn’t mind new comers and is open minded and OK that we are not both English by birth. Somewhere we could get involved with the community.

a place we can buy a really beautiful detached period rural four bed with garden for under £1.2 million. Preferably Victorian or Georgian as we are tall so low ceilings are difficult.

@Ddakji Why wouldn’t you live with your children?

I don't live with my children because they are in their 30s.

That’s nice for you. A quick search tells me the OP’s children are in their teens (she mentioned a 15 year old earlier this month) so your post is completely irrelevant to this thread.

Norwich, train to Liverpool St under two hours.
Loads of culture.
Busy arty scene, quirky shops, great restaurants, cafes.
40 mins max from coast. Holkham, Brancaster.
Lots of rural countryside within 15 minutes.
Norfolk Broads.
Property prices varies, but lots of lovely suburbs which are affordable.

Not sure if too far from London, but it's about an hour on the train from London. Kenilworth or Stoneleigh are lovely villages.

Parts of Surrey feel very rural. Shere, Ripley even Headley have lots of open countryside.

I suggested Kenilworth, forgot about Staffordshire!

This is an amazing house! And a lovely area