As the political, economic and cultural heart of the country, it’s no surprise that London boasts hundreds of thousands of job opportunities at any one time. And with modern offices, excellent public transport links, and plenty of eateries to choose from, working in London has never been more appealing.
The one downside to the UK’s capital is its steep house prices. Living and working in London offers an exciting, bustling way of life – but if you want the London lifestyle without having to pay the price, then choosing a nearby town to commute from will give you the best of both worlds.
Are you thinking about commuting to London? We’ve put together a handy guide for the best commuter town, structured in order of the commute time into London.
Richmond, Greater London
The closest commuter town on our list is Richmond, which is just a short train journey away from London. This sought-after area has all the benefits of city life, while still being surrounded by some of London’s best green spaces. With a variety of social and recreational facilities on offer here, you’ll find plenty of activities to help you unwind from a day’s work, from leisure centres to cinemas.
Deer in Richmond Park
Although it’s considered one of the pricier commuter spots, the perks of living in Richmond are endless. As one of the easiest commutable towns to London, you can enjoy brilliant amenities and a small-town feel in an area that’s just within reach of the capital’s bustling heart.
Richmond Bridge
If you’re looking for a town with less than a 30-minute commute to London, then Richmond is the perfect place for you. Impressively, you can get from Richmond to London Waterloo in as little as 22 minutes.
Woking, Surrey
Next up on our list of best London commuter towns is Woking, which is just a stone’s throw away from the Big Smoke. This popular commuter town boasts an extensive range of amenities, as well as plenty of outdoor spaces perfect for dog walks, picnics, and strolls nearby such as RHS Garden Wisley.
The Glasshouse at RHS Wisley
Home to a stretch of the Basingstoke Canal, Woking isn’t short of idyllic and scenic spots. If you’re a fan of new builds, there are plenty of modern properties to choose from, along with Victorian and Georgian residential areas for those who like a bit more character. Many of the neighbourhoods in Woking come with their own community facilities including reputable schools, so it’s the perfect spot for bringing up a family.
Known as one of the more historic and vibrant county towns in Surrey, Guildford isn’t short of charm and character. From its quaint cobbled High Street to the historic Guildford Castle, Guildford’s beautiful scenery makes it a wonderful spot to live in.
Guildford Castle
On the weekends, why not visit Stoke Park, which comes with a children's playground, skate park, paddling pool, boating pond and minigolf course to keep the whole family entertained, or head to The Royal Oak for some delicious pub grub and a board game or two?
If you’re looking for an exclusive area just outside of London, then up and move to Virginia Water in Surrey. Named as the most expensive place to live outside of the capital, this luxurious town has been home to several famous faces, from Elton John to the late Bruce Forsyth.
Set in the rolling Surrey hills and surrounded by stunning countryside and a vast lake, it’s hard to imagine that Virginia Water is so close to Central London. Impressively, it only takes 45 minutes to get from Virginia Water to London Waterloo.
Ascot, Berkshire
Located in the Royal Borough of Windsor, Ascot proudly takes the spot as one of the most luxurious towns in Berkshire. This sought-after location is popular for families, couples, and single working professionals, making for an excellent little hub that can cater to both work and play.
Queen Anne Enclosure at Ascot Racecourse
As an affluent area, you can expect to find plenty of golf courses and fine dining restaurants in Ascot, as well as the world-famous Ascot Racecourse. And with the commute time from Ascot to London Waterloo taking just under an hour, there’s even more reason to choose this town as your new home.
Reading, Berkshire
A firm favourite amongst commuters, Reading is a vibrant, multicultural, and family-friendly town with so much to offer should you choose to settle here. This bustling spot might be a late notch on the London commuter belt, but you can expect to find lots of open green space and wonderful nature trails here.
Reading Town Hall
Reading is also one of the more affordable commuter towns near London and with the area’s excellent transport links, it only takes one hour to get from Reading to London Waterloo.
From the luxurious Virginia Water to the charming Guildford, there are so many worthy commuter towns just outside of London. To help make your commute as easy as possible, explore our flexible range of train season tickets to find the right one for your journey. If you’re travelling for business, you can buy business train tickets with Business Direct, SWR’s business and corporate train service platform
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