With its beautiful cobbled high street, historic architecture, vast range of local amenities and beautiful surrounding countryside, it is little wonder that Guildford was recently voted 8th best place to live in Britain in 2015 (according to research by Halifax). Often referred to as "the heart of Surrey", the town can be found on every 'best commuter hotspots' list. But what exactly can Guildford offer to those considering moving out of London? Greg Nickson shares his insight on the topic.
Why Guildford?
G.N.: Guildford town centre boasts a busy train station offering an easy commute into London, a multitude of well-known boutique shops, leisure facilities and restaurants - basically, everything a city can offer! Yvonne Arnaud Theatre and Spectrum Leisure Complex are some of the local favourites, as well as a number of wonderful eateries including the superb Thai Terrace with far reaching views over the North Downs, and Britten's, owned by the former MasterChef competitor Daniel Britten. It's also great for history - Guildford Castle is the only royal castle ever built in Surrey and the spectacular Guildford Cathedral, designed by Sir Edward Maufe, is a must-visit. But drive five minutes out of town and you'll find yourself in rural Britain at its finest! Quite simply, Guilford combines the best of both worlds, offering a fine balance of urban and rural living.
What is on offer?
G.N. : In and around Guildford, the property portfolio mainly consists of large houses, which suits families moving out of London looking to upsize. Recently we've also seen an influx of professional couples moving locally for a better work/life balance or to start a family, attracted by the idea of country living, a 41-minute commute to London and a fantastic selection of Ofsted Outstanding rated schools nearby. Smaller characterful cottages, on the other hand, are also popular with the local families looking to downsize.
Let's talk prices...
G.N.: Comparing to London property prices, Guildford and the surrounding GU postcodes offer good value for money. In the GU1 postcode, the average for a two bedroom property is around £500,000 and is just over £1,000,000 for a four bedroom house. In comparison, prices in the rest of GU postcodes are averaging £310,000 for a two bedroom flat and £670,000 for a detached family house.
And for those considering selling up?
G.N.: Since 2010 there has been an uplift in prices of at least 25% in some areas, with some nearby villages like Gomshall reporting 55% growth in the last seven years. With the upcoming regeneration projects around North Street, Walnut Tree Close and Riverside Walk, as well as continuous demand for buy-to-let properties in the vicinity of the University of Surrey (currently ranked 8th in the UK), we are expecting price growth to continue.
Famous people, famous places?
G.N.: Absolutely! Parts of The Omen were filmed in the Guildford Cathedral, Kate Winslet's cottage in The Holiday is located in nearby Shere and Alan Turing and Lewis Carroll lived in Guildford to name a few.
Take a look at our Guildford Area Guide for more information on the local area.
Looking for a new home in Guildford? See what properties are currently available in the area.
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