Free from the shackles of a five-day-a-week commute, it’s possible to enjoy all the benefits of truly rural living while remaining within reach of London. Hampshire, Wiltshire and Somerset offer an outstanding lifestyle and excellent value for money, and there has never been a better time to buy, writes Mark Lawson, our Partner in the Southern Counties and specialist in High Value Residential and Rural Estates.
The traditional commuter belt is evolving. With around 28% of working adults in Great Britain now working in a hybrid pattern between their homes and offices, a fresh assessment of where you want to live versus where you need to live is in order.
When the London commute is required only two or three days a week, buyers seeking a genuinely rural lifestyle can look well beyond the traditional commuter belts. In Hampshire, Wiltshire and Somerset, it is possible to enjoy peace, space and excellent value for money, while still being able to reach London for work with relative ease – and this is precisely the time of year to start your search.
I live near Marlborough in Wiltshire, and people commute from here into London every day. Wiltshire was recently described by The Times as ‘England’s most underrated county’, praised for its ‘astonishing countryside’ and strong ‘feelgood factor’. I couldn’t agree more. It feels markedly different from the traditional commuter belt, which can be increasingly busy and noisy – and that difference is precisely its appeal.
Venture a little further west into Hampshire, Wiltshire and Somerset and you’ll find vast stretches of unspoilt countryside, secluded villages, wonderful long walks and a noticeably slower weekend pace. For me, as both a buying agent and a Wiltshire local, the appeal of this region is the peaceful, relaxed way of life that it offers. People are more rural at heart here; it is less transient and international, and far more rooted in community and permanence.
For hybrid workers, typically based at home on Mondays and Fridays, the dreaded Friday commute has largely disappeared. Here, you can close your laptop at six o’clock and be in the local pub, out riding across open countryside, or on your way to the coast within half an hour. Equally, there’s no need to begin the week with a ghastly 6am Monday alarm to catch the commuter train; a slightly longer journey on a Tuesday feels altogether more manageable.
Is 2026 a good time to consider a move to Hampshire, Wiltshire or Somerset?
When commuting only two or three days a week, extending journey times to an hour and a half – or even two hours – feels more comfortable. Naturally, the further you travel from London, the more property you get for your money.
This is also the time of year when we begin to hear about new opportunities, and we aim to get our clients in to see these as early as possible, often before anyone else. Around 70% of what we buy is secured off-market or pre-market, making expert representation an excellent return on investment.
Interestingly, this year we are seeing a significant amount of stock that we were aware of last year now being prepared for launch at lower price points. As a result, these properties are likely to come to market earlier than entirely new stock.
Given that very little sold above £3 million last year in Dorset, South Wiltshire and South Somerset, there are certainly good opportunities to be found – provided you can identify a sensible vendor and, most importantly, the right location to suit your lifestyle.
The appeal of Cranbourne Chase and surrounding areas
The area surrounding the Cranbourne Chase National Landscape, which spans Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire, offers some of the most beautiful unspoiled rural countryside in the region. Characterised by rolling chalk downs, ancient woodland and peaceful landscapes, it is ideal for walking, cycling, riding and a wide range of outdoor pursuits. The beautiful Dorset coast is just an hour away.
The charming village of Tollard Royal is home to an equestrian centre, the recently refurbished King John pub, the well-regarded independent day and boarding prep school Sandroyd School, and the Grade II-listed Victorian pleasure grounds at Larmer Tree Gardens. Nearby Tisbury has its own railway station with direct services to London Waterloo, typically running hourly and taking between 1 hour 45 minutes and 2 hours.
The nearby town of Shaftesbury known for its notable cobbled hill and independent shops and the highly regarded Port Regis Prep School, is also a popular choice. Bryanston School in Blandford Forum, along with Hanford Prep and Clayesmore School also provide excellent independent education options for families in the area.
The countryside around Salisbury is equally attractive and Salisbury station offers strong commuting links to central London, with frequent direct trains to London Waterloo taking between 1 hour 20 minutes and 1 hour 40 minutes.
A farmhouse that has been extended or expanded with around 20 acres of land, a pool, a court and a cottage would typically be priced in the region of £3-4 million. There is a good mix of properties that have already been developed and those that remain untouched, so we’re always trying to find the gem with potential that aligns with how much work a buyer is willing to undertake.
The sustained popularity of Bruton and Frome
North west of Cranborne Chase, the area around Bruton and Frome continues to rival the Cotswolds in terms of popularity, yet retains a distinctly more understated character, which I believe is a key part of its appeal.
Soho House opened its first rural retreat, Babington House, in Frome in 1998, paving the way for a wave of luxury openings in the years that followed. Hauser & Wirth launched their Somerset gallery in 2014, followed by the arrival of The Newt luxury hotel and estate in 2019. That same year saw the opening of Bruton’s Osip restaurant, which went on to receive a Michelin star in 2021, and last year marked the launch of Osip 2.0, its new farm-to-table restaurant. Bruton was recently described by Condé Nast Traveller as “the coolest town in the UK.”
Despite this, these pockets of quiet luxury remain firmly rooted in beautiful countryside, with slower paced villages and market towns, proper local pubs and the reassuring presence of mucky tractors and weathered barns.
There are some direct train services to London Waterloo from Bruton, although most people tend to drive or connect via stations such as Westbury or Castle Cary. Trains from Frome to London Paddington take from 1 hour 30 minutes. The A303 is also easily accessible, providing a convenient route east to London and west towards Devon.
The area is well served by a number of highly-regarded independent day and boarding schools, including Kings’ Bruton and Springmead School near Frome.
Why Sherborne and Templecombe offer both fantastic properties and lifestyle
I particularly love the countryside south of Bruton around Sherborne and Templecombe with its gentle rolling hills and attractive villages. London commuters are well served by both Sherborne and Templecombe stations with offer direct train services to London Waterloo, while families are drawn to Sherborne’s highly regarded prep, girls’ and boys’ schools.
A particular appeal of this area is its strong selection of high-quality properties. Almost every village features a farmhouse or manor house, along with an excellent Georgian house or rectory.
Navigating the current property market in South West England
There is currently limited stock in the South West within the £2–10 million bracket, while a significant volume of off-market property exists above £10 million. A particularly attractive house with 50-100 acres would typically be priced at £7-10 million.
We maintain close relationships with local selling agents, as well as our extensive network of professional contacts who are aware of which properties are likely to come to market and can secure early introductions.
Sellers at this level are often highly discretionary and it’s not unusual for them to seek prices well above true market value. This is why engaging a buying agent offers the best chance of securing an exceptional property at a fair price; we are able to advise on value and negotiate on your behalf.
Most importantly, we’re not selling anything. We guide our clients not only to exceptional properties but to the dream lifestyles that accompany them.
Mark Lawson MRICS is our Partner in the Southern Counties and a specialist in High Value Residential and Rural Estates.
