Living in the South East is certainly not a budget-friendly affair, with areas such as Surrey, Kent, Hertfordshire, Berkshire, and Essex all demanding higher living costs than most parts of the country.
The truly affluent often opt for a more secluded lifestyle, choosing locations that offer proximity to London but also tranquillity.
One such location is Elmbridge in Surrey, an area so upscale that it has been labelled the ‘Beverly Hills of England’ by The Telegraph.
This wealthy enclave includes towns like Cobham, home to several Chelsea footballers, and Walton-on-Thames, a quiet yet exclusive corner of the world where property prices are steep, reports My London.
According to Rightmove, the average property in Elmbridge over the past year sold for a staggering £859K, even outpricing some London’s homes. But the benefits are considerable, particularly for pub enthusiasts.
Walton is a haven for those who enjoy a pint, offering numerous quality pubs, many situated by the river – perfect for a summer’s day.
The Anglers of Walton and the Weir Hotel are both excellent choices, as is The Swan, which has near-perfect reviews on Tripadvisor – quite a feat given there are nearly 800 of them.
To reach Walton, you’ll need to head to either Wimbledon or Vauxhall. From Wimbledon, the journey should take no longer than 20 minutes, while from Vauxhall, it will be closer to half an hour.
It comes as a UK seaside town is having an unlikely winter tourism spike, according to new data.
Sykes Holiday Cottages has said that Whitby in Yorkshire is one of the top destinations for bookings over the winter months, as per internal booking data from 2023 to 2024.
Tourism began in the seaside town is during the Georgian period and developed with the arrival of the railway in 1839.
The oldest and most prominent landmark is the clifftop abbey ruins, but there is also the River Esk swing bridge and the harbour sheltered by Grade II listed piers.
Whitby is also popular among fans of Bram Stoker’s Dracula which was partially set in the the town. Stoker incorporated local folklore, including the beaching of the Russian ship Dmitry, and discovered the name “Dracula” at the old public library.
James Shaw, the managing director of Sykes Holiday Cottages, said: “While Whitby is known for drawing in holidaymakers with its coastal charm, our data has revealed that the ancient port has year-round appeal and is the most popular location for holidaymakers in winter months.”
After Whitby were five spots in the Lake District including Ambleside, Bowness-on-Windermere, Keswick, Grasmere and Troutbeck Bridge. Windermere, also in the Lake District, appeared in eighth place.
