Market Towns - Commutable to LHR

[SighthoundSusie]

Ideally looking for Market Towns upto 1-2hours away from Heathrow.

Also require 4/5 bed property, good side gardens, utility and garage plus primary/secondary schools.

Would like all the usual amenities but especially local parks and, National Trust, type spots too.

Where springs to mind? I'm drawing blanks.

There is also Grove near Wantage that has cheaper housing. Quite a lot of it new. Even Abingdon if the budget will stretch a bit.

Go to right move and punch in 4 bed at £400k. That'll give you an idea.

I don't agree with this. The works ARE a pain, it in the grand scheme of how long one would typically own a house for, it's small fry. Personally, I would deal with the extra journey time for the relatively short term to get the right house.

But it us not only the A3 junction works. Dh used to commute daily along the M25 from Surrey direction, rarely had a clear run through, so doubtful it will change.

How are you doing the commute?
Wokingham, Newbury, Maidenhead, Chilterns

Warwick, market town - but Leamington is just as nice. Its 1hr30 to LHR on M40
You'd find a few £400k houses with 4 bed in the area.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/140579333#/?channel=RES_BUY

2 minutes from M40

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/86672712#/?channel=RES_BUY

That's not what you posted about, but as it happens the works should also reduce M25 delays because they will add an extra lane to the M25, plus left-turning exiting traffic will get filter lanes which should reduce the backlog.

IME journeys around the NW side of the M25 are far worse than the SW side. Neither are great, but hard to avoid jams if heading to Heathrow.

@FloreatEtona whilst I agree about where you've suggested- OP is looking for A nice4/5 bed with good garden etc for £400k - is not exactly Easy in those areas

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/143302022#/?channel=RES_BUY

tredington is next door to Shipston on Stour, an original market town. House slightly over budget. 1hr.30 to LHR

Have you ever been to Crawley ? Not a market town vibe at all. RAF

@Crikeyalmighty , not easy but not impossible.
Did a search on Rightmove and a few came up within 10 miles of Maidenhead. Not in a market town. Egham or Staines-upon-Thames might be doable.

How about somewhere like Ware or Tring, Hertfordshire.

Thank you for all the suggestions.

Budget might go to £420k.

Must have 4 beds and 2 bath, parking and be fantastic if all 4 beds are double.

Commuting to LHR would be twice a week.

Need primary and secondary schools.

Really like Marlow and Thame but it's out of our budget.

I knew a guy who used to drive daily to Maidenhead from Devizes.

Something like this may suit OP

Not bad for area at £390 and Leighton buzzard is quite pleasant-

You would have to compromise on the garden a bit

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/141436244#/?channel=RES_BUY

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/140132750

Sorry, 3 bed.Just saw it didn't fit criteria.

Pretty house though @marmaladeandpeanutbutter !!

@SighthoundSusie Loads are detached for that price in Banbury with 4 beds and 2 baths. Brackley has semis for that on established estates. Leamington Spa area is possible too. Leighton Buzzard has a lot of new builds but the house on the link is tiny. Much smaller than the Banbury ones but obviously on the mainline to London and much closer.

Thoughts on Banbury as an area? Good reputation, friendly, safe (well as safe as it gets iykwim), schooling?

These - Kineton is pleasant too.

Sorry. Don’t know about schools. You would have to check addresses and do some research. Oxfordshire is comprehensive so no grammar tests to worry about. Most places really do have decent enough schools but to be honest you aren’t paying leafy lane prices.

Banbury is now quite large and has separate neighbourhoods. Difficult to know if people are friendly but why would they not be? Safe? No doubt a few people aren’t great but it’s the same everywhere I think. I don’t think it’s unsafe. I would go and have a look.

Thoughts on Banbury as an area?

Its always struck me as like Rugby, its ok as its better than Coventry but its not Oxford.