Not everyone wants to live in the hustle and bustle of Prime Central London, even if that’s where they work, learn and play. While the pandemic may have been a catalyst for some to escape to the country, the trend continues, with more and more people choosing to base themselves in some of the UK’s most sought-after and affluent commuter belt towns and villages.

With Surrey, Richmond and Hertfordshire being top choices, largely thanks to their vast green spaces, excellent schools, and beautiful, bucolic surrounds, there are plenty of luxurious properties on the market, from sprawling, charismatic thatched cottages to glossy multi-bedroom new builds. Here are the best commuter belt homes to invest in now.

Kingsdown, Castle Hill, Farnham, Surrey, GU9

With Nomad’s recently completed development in Surrey achieving amazing sales numbers, this stunning penthouse is the final apartment for sale. Spectacular in both scale and design, the luxurious three-bedroom, three-bathroom property is brimming with one-off antiques and bespoke pieces from established artists and craftspeople.

Offering 3,380 square feet of internal space, and 626 square feet of private outdoor terrace, it has been finished to the highest standard in a neutral, yet elegant, pared-back palette, with light-filled leisure and entertainment spaces all benefiting from the same soft, welcoming ambience. The property is part of a secure gated development in an elevated position next to Farnham Castle, with trains from Farnham railway station to London Waterloo running regularly.

Listed for £2,750,000, knightfrank.co.uk

Pembroke Cottage, Richmond Park, TW10

Sitting on a luscious 0.439 acres of Richmond Park, this secluded thatched cottage is both beguiling and unique. Spread over three floors, it benefits from several reception areas and boasts countless character features and unique works of craftsmanship, from oak beams, vaulted ceilings and elliptical cantilevered limestone staircase to the oak floors throughout.

Filled with light thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows, which also give access to a rustic veranda, the home boasts views over the parkland beyond. One of just a few properties situated within the park itself, the original house dates to the late 1800s when it was constructed as the gatehouse to Pembroke Lodge. Full of history and heritage, as well as an eclectic charm, the three-bedroom, four-bathroom home also has gated parking for two cars. Richmond station is easily accessible by train from central London on the District Line.

Listed for £4,750,000, knightfrank.co.uk

Bowerwood House, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13

This substantial eight-bedroom house sits on a generous plot of land which extends to almost one acre. Built in 1930, Bowerwood House, as the charming property is named, is spread over nearly 6,000 square feet with versatile accommodation over three floors. With four generous reception rooms, the house benefits from a multitude of space, with plenty of room for a new owner to make their mark.

Set back from the road behind mature trees, it is private and secluded, with a driveway and detached garage providing parking for several cars. The luscious garden is a real selling point, providing a place of tranquility and thriving wildlife, complete with an ornamental pond with rockery and an exquisite lawn bordered by meadow grass and fruit trees, plus a delightful woodland area. Located in the heart of Sevenoaks, Bowerwood House is 0.2 miles from the mainline station with links to London Bridge, Waterloo East and Charing Cross.

Listed for £2,750,000, knightfrank.co.uk

Burfield Grange, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4

A regal seven-bedroom, eight-bathroom home, this gorgeous family property sits on just under two acres of sprawling land and is securely located behind electric gates. With its grand hallway, immaculate wooden flooring and stunning galleried staircase, every detail has been considered. The country-style open-plan kitchen is as impressive as it is inviting, as are the dining and family rooms, bright garden room with direct access to the beautiful grounds, and elegant living area boasting oak architraves, decorative cornicing, an open fire, integrated ceiling speakers, and LED spotlighting.

Rooms on the ground floor benefit from floor-to-ceiling windows or French doors, flooding the property with natural light, while the first floor hosts four substantial double bedrooms, each benefiting from an en suite bathroom and walk-in wardrobe. The property is just a short distance from Windsor’s historic centre, with its two railway stations providing direct services to London Paddington and Waterloo in under an hour.

Listed for £4,000,000, sothebysrealty.co.uk

The Birches, Coombe Park, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey, KT2

Positioned within the esteemed Coombe Park Estate, this generous family home sits on a 1.56-acre south-facing plot, and is one of only a few properties on the estate to benefit from such impressive grounds. Set behind wrought-iron security gates, leading to a forecourt and detached double garage, the oak-panelled entrance, framed by low brick walls and mature planting, creates an imposing first impression.

Inside, mosaic tiles, an oak-panelled hallway and a sweeping staircase create a sense of grandeur, while other standout features include a triple-aspect reception room and an eat-in Bavarian-style kitchen. The property also benefits from an indoor swimming pool with a sauna, changing facilities, and sliding doors to the garden. A short distance from the shops and restaurants in Wimbledon Village and Kingston town centre, excellent transport links including Norbiton station and the A3 offer swift access to Central London.

Listed for £6,250,000, sothebysrealty.co.uk

Wychwood House, Oxshott, Surrey, KT22

Located on one of the most prestigious private roads in the Crown Estate, Wychwood House is a sprawling family home boasting refined interiors and magnificent proportions. Designed by Louise Bradley, the home combines cleverly sourced materials with intuitive spatial flow across nearly 11,000 square feet. The grand entrance hall immediately impresses, and leads to beautiful reception rooms, from the formal drawing room to the dining room, study and family room.

At the far end of the ground floor, there is a games room, gym and an indoor swimming pool with a sauna. The kitchen/breakfast room is as practical as it is beautiful, while the four-bedroom suites on the first floor comprise features including dual dressing rooms, large en suites and private balconies. The top floor is home to a stand-out cinema room and a second study while, outside, the one-acre grounds offer privacy and plenty of space, with the garden featuring a putting green and an astro-turf football pitch. Just over 15 miles from central London, there are direct rail links to Waterloo and excellent access to the A3 and M25.

Listed for £6,100,000, sothebysrealty.co.uk

The Avenue, Radlett, Hertfordshire, WD7

Located in the pretty Hertfordshire village of Radlett, this gorgeous seven-bedroom home is spread over 14,000 square feet and showcases a mix of classic English architecture and elegant interiors. The double-height entrance hall benefits from a grand sweeping staircase, while the beautiful reception rooms all have high ceilings, atmospheric lighting, and chic, smart interiors.

The bespoke kitchen is complemented by a formal dining area, as well as several lounges with gorgeous garden views, and every bedroom is en suite, with the principal suite featuring a dressing room and luxurious marble bathroom. The lower ground floor is designed for entertaining and wellness, boasting a cinema room, bar lounge, gym, and spa suite, which sit alongside an indoor pool with a star-lit ceiling and motorised rising floor that transforms into an event space.

Listed for £12,500,000, knightfrank.co.uk

Bushy Park, Hampton Hill, Middlesex, TW12 

An outstanding home located within stunning Royal Parkland on the site of a former Cold War testing centre, this magnificent six-bedroom, six-bathroom property also boasts three grand reception rooms. Spread over approximately 10,113 square feet, the extraordinary historic house is full of charm, while also offering contemporary lateral accommodation behind electronic gates.

Character features include a copper roof, true to the property's heritage as a rotunda (originally a 46-metre circular water tank), while glass and aluminium has been used throughout to create substantial sweeping spaces illuminated with natural light. The vast lower ground floor has scope for a swimming pool and leisure centre, while the rolling grounds hold the potential for tennis courts, and more. Just a few hundred yards from Hampton Hill and Teddington stations, direct links to London Waterloo are frequent and speedy.

Listed for £7,500,000, savills.com

Read more: The best family-homes for sale in London