Buzzy places to live within hour commute London

[800msprint]

Ideally with some culture, different independent restaurants and cafes, plus nice countryside on doorstep or something to do nature wise like a river, coast, big park or woodland nearby....
And also somewhere that isn’t overly tory/brexit. 😬 I don’t mind which way people lean but I would also like to be living somewhere where there are other people who have similar values to me too. I’m unsure at the moment what size place I’m after. I love cities but I also see the appeal of smaller places for ease. But I do like animosity and obviously you get more choice of stuff to do in bigger places. Kid-friendly. Schools are important but we can go private if state options not great/full. Basically somewhere with access to nature for when kids young but then also enough for them to do when teens too. Thanks!

[Itscoldouthere]

It also depends why you are moving, if you are hoping to trade up on your property you won't get much more house for your money in Berkhamsted or Cambridge (or St Albans which is often mentioned).

[mumwon]

& varies between Liberal & Labour ... the river good private schools & Hills Road 6th Form College

[Mumbum2011]

Cambridge

[mumwon]

Cambridge its a lovely city good commute & transport links Museums lively theatres Botanic Gardens the Universities & the Backs good shops excellent schools multicultural lots of restaurants pubs beautiful countryside...

[SirCloudesley]

I third Berko!

[timehealsmost]

second Berkhamstead (berko)

[JoJoSM2]

Guildford and Winchester are small cities with plenty going on, v good state schools and the South Downs on the doorstep.

You could also just stay in London but go further out. Of the areas that are v good for schools, you could look at North Kingston (river and Richmond Park), Cheam Village and South Sutton (parks, countryside with woodland, fields with footpaths), somewhere in the borough of Bromley (fair bit of countryside within the borough).

[800msprint]

I think Brighton would be ok. Basically we only need to be in London 1x week so can manage a longer commute. Don’t really want to go much further out though as I love London too and have friends there so still want to be able to visit often at weekends etc. Thanks for ideas so far. Not heard of Berkhamsted.

[Lightsabre]

Brighton, Hove, Forest Row.

[Hobbes8]

It depends what you mean by an hour’s commute though. Brighton is only an hour’s commute if you live next to the station and work next to Victoria station. If you’re 20 minutes each end it’s nearer 2 hours.

It does fit the bill though.

[AllTheCakes]

Brighton might fit the bill. South Downs on the doorstep, the beach for seaside walks, the only Green seat in the UK and lots of great independent restaurants, pubs and shops.

[GreekOddess]

Berkhamsted. Forest literally on your doorstep. 30 minutes into London. Buzzy high street plus good state schools