Since the unfortunate outbreak of Covid-19, many families are planning to move away from the capital. According to a report from Opinium, a whopping 38% of Londoners are now reconsidering where they want to live. If you are looking to migrate outside of the city, we have listed the top 5 locations to live in outside of London.
Slough
This large town had the highest number of Londoners move to Berkshire with over 2,000 people, and it’s easy to see why.
Transport
If you are still looking to commute from the Capital, Slough’s train station can take you to London Waterloo in around 40 minutes. The Station is also connected to the London Underground, which is very convenient for those travelling to Zones 1-6.
Employment
In 2017, Slough was named as the ‘best place’ to work and live. The Slough Trading Estate is a prime hotspot for jobs with over 17,000 in 400 businesses. This town also has the most UK headquarters of global companies outside of London, including:
- Blackberry
- O2
- Burger King
- DHL
- Lego
- Mars
Windsor
The Thames-side town of Windsor is full of beautiful views, historic buildings and spectacular wildlife. Windsor is not just a popular location for Londoners but also for royalty, as the Queen lives there in the famous Windsor Castle.
Windsor Great Park
This beautiful 4,800-acre park is full of fascinating Royal residences, formal gardens and landscapes. The iconic long walk offers some beautiful views of Windsor Castle and the Deer Park, which is home to around 500 red deer that roam freely in the enclosure.
Education
Whether you already have children or are just planning for the future, Windsor and Eton have several prestigious schools in the area. To look at more schools and compare performance across the Windsor and Maidenhead areas you can use this helpful government tool.
Want to know more about Windsor? Read our guide to moving to Windsor.
Ascot
Famously known for its Racecourse, Ascot is a beautiful town in Berkshire. If you are looking to move out of London for a more luxurious lifestyle, Ascot is known as a deluxe hotspot with its extravagant houses.
Ascot Racecourse
When the word “Ascot” falls onto somebody’s lips, they instantly think of “Royal Ascot”. It’s one of the most iconic events in the British sporting calendar and attracts thousands of people worldwide (including royalty).
The venue itself hosts many events all year round for friends and family to enjoy.
Fine Dining
Ascot is also known for its popular for its dining with two Michelin star restaurants in the area:
The Brasserie
Awarded with two AA Rosettes, The Brasserie offers a stylish dining experience with live Jazz music every Sunday.
Bluebells
This Michelin starred restaurant offers an appealing range of beautifully-presented European dishes, which are delicately crafted using modern techniques.
Coworth Park
A stunning property set in about 250 acres of grounds hosts this highly rated restaurant. Proudly awarded the Michelin star of excellence and 4 AA Rosettes, the relaxed elegance of Restaurant Coworth Park showcases a modern outlook on classic British dishes with stunning views across the rose terrace.
Bracknell
The new town of Bracknell has grown rapidly in the last 50 years. Starting from a small village in Warfield, Bracknell has grown into a bustling modern town which has attracted many Londoners.
The Lexicon
In 2017, the town centre completed a full regeneration by opening The Lexicon, which has become very popular with its shops, 12 screen cinema, restaurants and cafes. The Lexicon is planning to further improve the town centre with a multi-million-pound makeover of Princess Square.
Swinley Forest
What makes Bracknell such an attractive place to live in is the beautiful area of Swinley Forest. The forest stretches over 2,600 acres of gentle hills, which is perfect to explore with family and friends. There are many activities to do in Swinley Forest including:
- Walking Trails
- Horse Riding
- Cycle & MTB Trails
- Go Ape! (Treetop crossings, ziplines & segway experiences)
- The Look Out Discovery Centre (Science Exhibition)
- Coral Reef Waterworld
Image Source: https://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/leisure-services/look-out/swinley-forest/visit-swinley-forest
Wokingham
This beautiful and historic market town has mostly finished it’s regeneration of the town centre, which now offers many places to go shopping and have a bite to eat.
Regeneration
Wokingham is growing in numbers, which has resulted in a full redevelopment of the town. There are some exciting projects, which are currently happening:
Peach Place
Regeneration of Peach Place Plaza in the town centre.
Elms Field
This project includes new shops, a boutique cinema, a hotel, a medium sized food store, new homes and a fantastic town park and play area.
Carnival
A development focused on the health and wellbeing of local residents.
Parks
There are many beautiful parks and green spaces to explore in Wokingham:
Dinton Pastures Country Park
This stunning 450-acre park has seven lakes, two rivers, meadows and three public bird hides. There are many activities available for friends and family including:
- Fishing
- Yachting
- Canoeing
- Park Run
- Health Walks
California Country Park
Perfect for fishing and walks, the California Country Park offers a 6-acre lake, ancient bogland and heathland. There is also an onsite cafe available to relax and enjoy the view.
Image Source: https://www.visitsoutheastengland.com/things-to-do/california-country-park-p46033
Need help with your move out of London?
One of the biggest challenges when moving home is finding a place to store your stuff. Here at Space4U, we provide plenty of storage space in our Bracknell and Windsor locations to help you sort out your move without the stress.
If you are interested in our self-storage solutions, contact us on 01344 20 30 49, or fill in our contact form.