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Do you live in one of Britain’s most affluent towns? The Telegraph commissioned estate agents Savills to use the latest census data to compile a list of the 50 places that scored the highest across several factors.
These included the proportion of residents holding managerial jobs, their level of qualifications, the state of their health and the costs of buying a house.
It will come as no surprise that the majority are in the South East, underlying the wealth-generating influence of London. All those in this region – including the overall winner, Harpenden – are within an hour’s commute of the capital.
But it’s not all about the south. Wilmslow, a Cheshire market town lying 11 miles south of Manchester, has climbed 10 places since the research was last carried out using they 2011 census data.
Meanwhile, Cheadle Hulme, a suburb of Stockport, has leapt from 43rd place to 26th.
Newcomers to the top 50 list include Hurstpierpoint, a village in rural West Sussex, Hitchin in Hertfordshire and the city of Bath, which was last ranked at 60th and now lies in 44th place. Chigwell in Essex, once hailed by Charles Dickens as “the greatest place in the world”, has climbed the most places, from 69th to 32nd.
Penarth, a town that lies a few miles south of Cardiff and is reputedly home to Britain’s first millionaire’s row built by Victorian shipping barons, only just missed out on being within the top 50; it is ranked at 51.
Lucian Cook, head of residential research for Savills, said: “It’s worth noting that these locations are not second-home hotspots.
“They are aspirational, affluent places that attract incoming wealth with good schools and a strong quality of housing stock where residents are economically active who are building up their property and personal wealth.”
1. Harpenden, Herts; average price £766,000
Look up what people have to say about this town and “wealthy” and “affluent” are words that crop up – alongside, “snobby”. Well-educated is certainly accurate; 60pc of the population have a “level four” qualification, that is, a bachelor’s degree.
Set between Luton and St Albans and 25 miles north of London, it attracts lots of families with “every club or class imaginable” says one local.
Kris Smith, of Savills Harpenden, recommends its “twice-weekly street market and a superb range of restaurants, wine bars and leisure facilities”.
Harpenden isn’t only about its quick train connections, adds Sally Noakes, of Strutt & Parker: “The town is flanked – at a good distance away – by both the M1 and A1, which gives you easy links to London in the south and the Midlands.”
2. Cobham, Surrey; average price £1.17m
The fact that this is the most expensive place to buy a house on our list doesn’t put people off. Buying agent Richard Winter, who runs his own firm, says that Cobham is the type of place that clients will buy a house sight unseen.
“I have clients moving from Singapore who’ve done just that – it just is a lovely place to live.”
A river running through the town and a lively café society (Fego, a coffee shop, regularly has queues around the corner), this a community within the commuter belt, Winter adds.
3. Beaconsfield, Bucks; average price £1.07m
While other high streets might be dying, Beaconsfield is not, says Hugh Maconochie, of Savills.
“In the past 10 years, and especially since the pandemic, where flexible working has been more popular, there has been a shift in the shops and restaurants on the high street.
“When you combine these brands with access to well-regarded schools [especially grammar schools], London and Heathrow, it’s not hard to see how its popularity has increased.”
4. Chorleywood, Bucks; average price £1.1m
The second most expensive in the list, Chorleywood is a classic Metroland village (it’s on the Metropolitan Tube line as well as Chiltern Trains) and has long been popular with those wanting speedy access to the city as well as Buckinghamshire’s grammar schools.
The common is what sets the village apart. At 185 acres in size, it’s where you will find everyone at the weekend, says says Steven Spencer, of Strutt & Parker.
“It has a real feel of a rural idyll – yet you’re just off the M25 and London is only half an hour away on the train.”
5. Amersham, Bucks; average price £800,000
“Amersham is always hugely popular because it has that hard-to-find balance of being a thriving market town with open countryside on your doorstep, while still being well connected,” says Spencer.
He adds that London buyers who are motivated by the good schools and more suburban lifestyle are “somewhat comforted by the fact they are still on an Underground line [it’s in Zone 9]”.
6. Hale, Trafford; average price £699,999
The first on the list that is not part of the commuter belt around London, this leafy suburb has been likened to Chiswick – fancy and family-friendly. Trafford retains its grammar school system, which is a big draw for parents.
7. Esher, Surrey; average price £767,750
With a big choice of restaurants, a cinema and a popular coffee shop (Giro), Esher is favoured by those who want a bit more of a lively and vibrant feel, says Winter. Just don’t expect a quaint and quiet high street, it’s more of a thoroughfare.
8. Gerrards Cross, Bucks; average price £917,500
GX, as it’s known by locals, is a hotspot for “living pretty but working in the city”, says Simon Roberts, of Strutt & Parker. “Picturesque, friendly and peaceful, the beautiful Buckinghamshire landscape is the most filmed in England (largely because it’s home to the major studios of Pinewood and Elstree).
The draw here is about good schools (both state and private) and the 20-minute journey to London Marylebone, adds his colleague, John Roberts. “Parents can drop their kids off at school and still get to their desks in the City for the start of the day.”
9. Berkhamsted, Herts; average price £630,000
“Berko” is invariably described as a “rural extension of London” or a “chichi canal-side market town” with a selection of locally run shops and restaurants (alongside some chains).
Direct trains to London Euston in 30 to 40 minutes mean it has been popular for those working in north and central London.
10. St Albans, Herts; average price £570,000
Often regarded as a commuter town, those that move here soon discover that there’s more to it than the time it takes to travel back to London.
“Local businesses have a big presence, such as George Street Canteen, Flower Box and Hatch, and despite sitting to the west of the city, the 100-acre Verulamium Park acts as an unofficial centre thanks to it being the largest open green space,” explains Rozanne Edwards, of Strutt & Parker’s local office.
“St Albans is notably far more diverse than its neighbouring towns, which makes it attractive to those moving from larger, more metropolitan cities,” she adds.
11. Virginia Water, Surrey; average price £750,000
While the average price is more reflective of the 1920s and 1930s houses near the station, those around the Wentworth golf club – hidden behind electric gates – are considerably higher.
12. Sevenoaks, Kent; average price £610,000
While once it was the commute (less than 30 mins to London), since the pandemic it is the schools – again, it’s the choice of grammar and public schools –which are the driving force behind the town’s attraction, says David Johnston, of the local Savills office.
“As the commute becomes more popular again, the town is perfectly placed to accommodate all needs while retaining its historic features.”
13. West Bridgford, Notts; average price £375,000
The only area in the East Midlands to make it into the top 50 list, this affluent suburb of Nottingham, which lies south of the River Trent, has the highest number of high-income households outside London and the South East.
“With a host of bars, restaurants, coffee shops and delis, this is one of the most popular, family-friendly areas in Nottingham to live,” says the team at local agents Royston Lund.
14. Ashtead, Surrey; average price £675,250
A large village inside the M25 between Epsom and Leatherhead, it is popular for the usual mix of schools, the station with regular services to London and a high street with (mainly) independent shops.
15. Farnham, Surrey; average price £618,750
A market town with a Georgian centre, Farnham is the first in the list that is more rural than suburban in nature – and it’s a longer journey back to Waterloo as a result.
“It’s bustling with thriving boutiques and cafés and there is an ever-increasing choice of places to eat and events, such as food and music festivals regularly taking place,” says Savills’ Rory Mackenzie.
There are great schools, state and private, respectable commuting times and the fabulous sandy commons for the mountain biker and dog owner.”
16. Cambridge; average price £475,000
The rise of Cambridge from 30th place in 2011 to 16th reflects the city’s reputation as a world-class science and tech hub with well-paid and well-educated professionals in its wake.
Ed Meyer, of the local Savills office, says it’s the “perfect small city”.
17. Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire; average price £600,000
With the regatta, two music festivals, a literary festival and a food festival, there’s always something going on in this riverside town.
“What’s not to love about Henley?” asks Stephen Christie-Miller, of Savills. “Henley is a beautiful riverside market town, with an abundance of culture that’s unusual for a town of this size.
“Furthermore, Henley is incredibly well connected, in half an hour you can get to Heathrow or the M25 and now we have trains linking up with the Elizabeth line via Twyford, which is amazing.
“The beautiful countryside is reminiscent of the middle of Devon but here you are still so close to London. As far as families are concerned, there’s also excellent schooling.”
18. North Ascot, Berks; average price £577,000
Sandwiched between the sprawling mass of roundabouts that is Bracknell and the private estates of Surrey, this affluent area of suburban countryside is surrounded by polo clubs – one local says you can rarely hear English in the local Sainsbury’s when the season is on.
The area is home to Lambrook school, where Prince George and his siblings go, and is popular with recent emigres from London who say it’s close enough for evenings out.
19. Altrincham, Greater Manchester; average price £425,250
Described as a “mini Dulwich” (with house prices to match), there’s a popular market that has improved in recent years and gives the place a buzz.
“It has it all: some of the best schools in the North West and a great high street with a bustling food hall,” says Jamie Carter, of Savills in Knutsford.
“There are superb connections to Media City and Manchester centre and many dog-friendly green spaces.”
20. Weybridge, Surrey; average price £560,000
To estate agents, Weybridge is the “Beverly Hills of Surrey”, surrounded by private estates.
The tennis club is “full all day long”, quipped one local, while the golf club is “the kind of place that will only allow people to join if they like you”.
Wish you were here?
Gerrards Cross: guide price: £1,845,000 (Strutt & Parker)
Cambridge: guide price £3.495m (Knight Frank)
Harpenden: guide price £3.5m (Strutt & Parker)
Ascot: guide price £3.75m (Hamptons)
This article was first published on 18 June 2023.