Can I buy a house with land 1 hr from London?

[Countrydreams]

AIBU to ask mumsnetters if they can (in light of my shocking lack of geographical knowledge) recommend any affordable countryside areas within an hour train journey of London? Anywhere considered, would like an acre of land and a 1 hr commute, budget 650k. Is there anywhere?! Thanks!

Northamptonshire if you add 15 minutes by car but it's less than an hour by train

Kent is probably your best best for affordability and commute into London Bridge. Berkshire and Bucks are lovely and cross rail will be amazing, but really not cheap around here!!

I found commutefrom.com to be a really useful website if you want to find which stations are decent commutes.

How much land are you after?

We're in Faversham. Lots of houses with land in the surrounding villages. 1hr 10 direct to London Bridge (Will be again from December anyway).

I think you can get to London from Swindon in an hour, if you get the fast train, and that's in Wiltshire. I wouldn't fancy the commute myself though.

Would the land be for any particular use (e.g. horticulture, paddock?)How many bedrooms? What sort of property? Would you be prepared to self-build or renovate?

Northamptonshire... within an hour on the train

Frokni...apologies, just saw your post, but I agree! 😀 Areas of Bucks and Beds too probably

Market Harborough

You can get that in Cambridgeshire or Northwest Essex. Forget Cambridge itself though, it's just as bad as London.

Parts of Surrey definitely doable in an hour.

If you work near London Bridge also look at trains which come into Cannon Street and Blackfriars ( now there is south side) Rochester has trains direct into all 3 in an hour and you can just decide which suits. I think both stations are in walking distance imho - and changing trains just causes more room for delay.

My husband is from Kent, it's similar price/cheaper to where we are in the midlands. I find it odd when everyone talks about how expensive the south east is, yes parts are extortionate but not everywhere.

Ashford is actually 38 minutes from kings cross. So you can look a good 20 min drive from ashford if prepared to drive to station. Look at tenterden, wye, pluckley & Rye. None of those are Brighton but have good vibes and house and land your budget is doable.

If you want a Brighton-like lifestyle you won't get that in Beds. Hitchin and Baldock are in Herts and you're not likely to get an acre for £650k.

I would head to Kent, just for the accessibility to the Channel.

this is in Ingatestone. About 30 mins to Liverpool Street station in London and I can drive to London from here in about 1 hr 10 .

Oops just seen your budget !

Definitely Cambridgeshire. However you would need to be careful as you could end up looking at some isolated, not particularly nice areas - IMHO.

I live near Ely and it's just over an hour into Kings Cross from the train station there.

This one - 10 mins from ashford station. 3.6 acres. A swimming pool. A small vineyard. A vegetable garden. #just sayin
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-60699208.html

This is really close to London , definitely under an hour

Definitely not Reading or South Oxfordshire. You can buy a 3 bed semi here I live!

Bucks and beds biscuitswitheverything are super close by so much development throughout these counties and Northants! Midlands has a lot of different things to offer too. My South Kilburn-raused husband loves it here!

Thanks so much everyone, amazing suggestions and I've now compiled a list of all the ones suggested ready to start house hunting. Thanks again!

why are so many people posting links to properties that clearly don't have the acre of land that the OP asks for.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-60537217.html

(In my best KA voice) This is slightly over budget, and it is "grounds" not "land" but I'm sure you could swap that kitchen window for a patio door ...

What about margate if you want a Brighton feel?

Margate does not have a Brighton feel! I mean.... its by the sea. And it has the Turner gallery but its no brighton!!!