Where to buy for beautiful rolling english countryside and lots of dog walking options

[PoodlenotDoodle]

Hello this is my first post on Mumsnet! We are recent empty nesters and starting to thinking about our next and final house move. Here is a basic list of our requirements. I am hoping for some advice on areas and villages that we should consider and any thoughts are most welcome:

1. Around a 2 hour or less train commute to London
2. Beautiful rolling english countryside
3. Away from large towns
4. Away from major airport/flight path
5. Areas with pretty villages and nice housing stock
6. Great dog walking options in local vicinity is a key
7. Budget around £2m (or less!)

I expect you will all say "The Cotswolds" and we do love the Cotswolds but we also want to consider other areas that might be less on the tourist trail and still come with a similar offer. I have read that the "Notswolds" (Northamptionshire/Rutland etc) area is worth a look but have not actually been to this area (we know the Gloucestershire/Somerset area well) so any thoughts most welcome on this area as well as any others we should consider. Thanks in advance.

@Trekkerbabe I know that area well and absolutely agree as a teenager or wanting a regular commute it’s hell. But for an older couple looking for a forever home with lots of space, peace & quiet and rural countryside but close enough to London their adult children can visit in a day trip, It’s really not a bad shout.

I used to live near Rutland and would definitely recommend the area. So many lovely villages. You've got Rutland Water if you want a lake. If you go into the Vale of Belvoir Long Clawson is a nice large village but honestly you are spoilt for choice. Stamford is the prettiest town in the area. There are some lovely period properties around.
Another great point about the area north of Oakham and towards the west is that you can get to just about anywhere very quickly. Grantham, Stamford, and Peterborough to the east all have London trains and then you have Nottingham and Leicester plus Northampton. Roads are also good. A1, M6, M42 all provide good links. You have East Midlands and Birmingham Airport within easy reach.
So wherever your kids end up you won't be inaccessible. If you go somewhere like Kent or Chichester you are a bit at one end of the country IYSWIM.

Peak District (National Park). Under 2 hours to London from Chesterfield, Derby etc. So many wonderful walks, views, hills.

Hi OP - we live in Bath - I don’t know your budget but think lots of the villages outside here might suit and would also be a place your family would enjoy coming to - on the eastern side I would suggest Box and Corsham - Corsham has a couple of great pubs, several nice restaurants and cafes , great butchers and deli and a lovely bookshop you can then access train at Chippenham - 1hr 10 mins to London - to the west side I would suggest villages like Timsbury - 17 minutes drive into Bath but an attractive village with facilities and not hilly .

I would also suggest Bruton and castle Cary - both on train - upmarket and with decent facilities - a bit ‘yuppy’ but you may like that - lovely for walking

marlborough nice as someone else has suggested - but not on train .

I also like the Salisbury area too - and if you like rolling - it’s rolling without being hilly .

OP what sort of house are you after?

These are big villages though/small towns - apart from Timsbury . Depends if a ‘big village’ is more your thing or you are looking very much for a small village with fewer facilities

Hampshire is very large. I bet your friend is not living in unlovely Portsmouth.

I definitely know the Broadway part of Worcestershire (Cotswolds) but where else is nice? Absolutely love Saintbury!

OP consider driving times as well as train travel times - if / when your kids start a family, they’re less likely to find it easy to come and visit on the train, as there’ll be all the clobber etc (I know it’s possible, but less easy). Maybe worth factoring in that it could be a 2 hour fast train ride from a main line London station to get to you but a 4 hour drive from wherever they’re living.

Prefer period but not a huge cold pile - rather a nice sized 4 bed house with good outbuildings for visiting family etc. Ideal mix would be period with a good modern kitchen extension! Must have decent garden for large dog and walks from the door!

When i was on holiday in Brockenhurst in the New Forest (which i adore and wish we lived closer), there was a direct train from there to London

I've never been to Dorking, have only been to the UK a handful of times since I lived in Luton in the late 80's but as soon as I see Dorking mentioned I thought of this. Maybe Karen was on to something if its a nice place.

I would look at Suffolk, around Ipswich or West Sussex (pricy) round Arundel or a bit inland to Billinghshurst.

Norfolk is very flat, there just aren't any hills there and the road connections are not good either .

Shoreham in Kent

Broadway is gorgeous but a nightmare in summer. Very busy. We like Ashton Under Hill....way beyond our means but gorgeous houses and a fab little pub. Saintbury is lovely as is Mickleton.

Pershore and Wyre Piddle in Worcestershire too.

Eckington?? Works
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/157742192#/?channel=RES_BUY

North Staffordshire (Leek) / Cheshire ( Macclesfield) / Derbyshire (Buxton) around the Peak District area, Leek is just on the edge so a bit cheaper, but it is a gorgeous little arty town with individual shops, has an area called The Roaches for walking and Rudyard Lake. We can't wait to go back. Train from Stoke or Macclesfield direct to London in under 2 hours.

Having just spent the weekend in West Sussex near Chichester I’d say it fits all your criteria

The area around Tunbridge wells is beautiful.

South Warwickshire would fit your criteria.
As would Rutland. I’ve lived in both , and personally prefer Warwickshire.

Whats your favourite part/towns/villages in South Warwickshire for beautiful rolling countryside and great dog walking?

There are some lovely ideas here. I will say as someone whose parents moved away although pre children I was happy to visit by train with newborns dogs toddlers etc I quickly switched to car so train times to Yorkshire etc are ok is the car really?! I know you can never predict what will happen but thought Id chuck this in. Also it might be worth thinking about being close to town(s) and amenities families would.like if you'd be keen for them to follow.

Also not to sound a downer but I would consider if being very rural puts you far from health services which can be an issue as you age.

Some of the Warwickshire/Solihull border are beautiful as people mentioned but you will get plane noise close to Solihull (particularly in Henley on Arden). You might like market bosworth which is very much a town but close to excellent country side. I don't know how feasible land around the home is however in the town itself.

East Sussex has beautiful countryside and properties available under £2million, as has every single place in the countryside!