Those who move out of London often focus on the surrounding areas, the so-called Home Counties: Surrey, Sussex and Kent to the south; Berkshire and Buckinghamshire to the west; Middlesex, Hertfordshire and Essex to the north and east. Slightly further out are Hampshire, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire, which also balance of country life with easy access to the metropolis.
Surrey is the county most associated with the ‘stockbroker belt’: it’s very close to London but still leafy and attractive and boasts world-famous estates such as St George’s Hill and Wentworth. Its market towns like Haslemere and Farnham have great amenities and quick rail links back into the capital.
Sussex is perhaps best characterised by the views offered in the beautiful South Downs, but there are also vibrant cities such as Brighton and Chichester which offera real cosmopolitan mix.
Kent, the Garden of England, has been growing in popularity for those moving out of London for some time, and country houses in Kent are remarkably good value compared to those in neighbouring Sussex or Surrey.
Many parts of Hampshire are very pretty and yet still commutable to London – Kingsclere and Winchester are both within an hour of Waterloo, the former a classic English village, the latter with its medieval cobbled streets and fun markets one of the most desirable Cathedral cities in the country.
In Berkshire, towns and villages such as Bucklebury, Bray, and Yattendon are justly famous, while in Buckinghamshire the likes of Long Crendon are both practical and picturesque.
Herfordshire has the charming city of St Albans to recommend it while Harpenden and Hertforshire are also enduringly popular, while Essex has countryside that inspired Constable as well as 350 miles of coastline.
Don’t miss Country Life’s guide to the best places to live near London
Set in 46 acres of splendid gardens and soon to benefit from Twyford's Crossrail link, this gorgeous Tudor home was built in 1580. Penny Churchill reports.
The county of Surrey is perennially popular for its pretty properties and easy access to London.
Denham Mount is a superbly pretty small estate just outside London which was used for a famed adaptation of one of Noël Cowards most enduring plays.
Dinton Castle was built to house the fossils stored in its walls. A recent renovation sees it as a perfectly appointed family home, ready to wow the next owners. Alexandra Fraser takes a look.
The Dower House is a beautiful Georgian manor house, perfectly located and beautifully presented. Penny Churchill takes a look.
Holmer Ridings was born from an estate formed when William the Conquerer laid siege to England. Penny Churchill takes a closer look.
The house where the great British actor David Niven spent his idyllic teenage summers has come to the market on the Isle of Wight — and the place looks every bit as charming now as it was then.
This year, we can expect some serious movement in the market, says Penny Churchill, who expects delightful country houses such as Comforts Place to be snapped up quickly.
Half-way between London and Oxford is Lion House, a converted coaching inn in beautiful condition, which is on the market for the fifth time in more than two centuries.
A pair of magnificent houses have come to the market in two of the most exclusive communities in the London area: Wentworth and St George's Hill.
There are literally thousands of places where you can live outside of London but still get to the city inside an hour. Eleanor Doughty picks out 45 where you're sure to find something which suits you.
Hinwick House, on the border of Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire, is big — very big. It's also exquisitely charming, as Penny Churchill explains.
Penny Churchill takes a look at a Cambridgeshire country house that's the archetypal Georgian house.
A farmhouse in Kent where the owners have turned their field into a vineyard has come up for sale. Penny Churchill takes a look.
Penny Churchill looks over a beautiful old house, full of history, which has come up for sale in Kent — and once a bit of work has been done, it will be among the finest homes in the country.
An ancient Surrey house that's perfectly-located — and set up — for modern living has come up for sale. Annunciata Elwes explains more.
Smallwater has been diligently cared for by its current owners and restored to a state of perfection - it's now ready for the next chapter of its life. Alexandra Fraser takes a look.
