The best commuter towns within easy reach of London to make the most of the great outdoors

There are great places near London for families who love to cycle, run, surf or even hike their way through weekends. See the top commuter destinations promising great outdoor activities.

Broadstairs, Kent

With a quartet of highly recommended beaches close to the town — Joss Bay, Viking Bay, Stone Bay, and Botany Bay – this little town is just perfect for surf lovers.

High-speed trains via St Pancras have whittled the commute down to an hour and 20 minutes, with an annual season ticket at the price £5,952, as Homes and Property notes.

“It is a town that attracts second home owners, three-day-a-week commuters, and lots of ‘down from Londoners’. The hipster vibe and value for money have attracted more and more young family buyers from London over the past few years. Quite a lot of the coast around this part of Kent is pebbly, but here you have sand, ideal for kids and dog walking.” says Simon Backhouse, a partner at Strutt & Parker.

A three-bedroom fisherman’s cottage near the sea would cost £550,000-£650,000, while further inland a four-bedroom Edwardian house would be £450,000-£550,000.

Winchester, Hampshire

On the western edge of the South Downs National Park, wide open spaces are on this charming historic city’s doorstep, actually the starting point for one of Britain’s greatest running routes, the South Downs Way, which will take the super-fit 100 miles to Eastbourne.

But anyone can create your own circuit around the vast area, admiring the views from Beachy Head, and of the Seven Sisters. The park is great for cycling, walking, and horse riding too.

Trains to Waterloo take from 52 minutes and an annual season ticket costs £4,952.

Gareth Anwyl, associate director of Hamptons International, says about 40 per cent of his buyers are ex-Londoners with £1 million to £1.25 million to spend on a four-bedroom Georgian townhouse in the city centre, or about £500,000 on a two-bedroom flat.

“The London demographic has had a major impact on the quality of the pubs and the number of places to eat. Winchester has gone from being quite provincial to quite sophisticated.” Anwyl explaines.

Rochford, Essex

The Essex country back roads are simply heaven for London Cyclists used to pollution and awful traffic. Actually this big village is highly rated by Cycling Weekly, because it sits at the head of the River Roach, being a great staging post for the Essex Creeks, named by the magazine as one of the best places to cycle in Britain.

There are enough climbs to be challenging, but flat enough to be enjoyable. The village has a lot of pubs, several cafés and restaurants, and enough shops to keep you satisfied.

Trains to Liverpool Street take from 50 minutes and an annual season ticket costs £3,772.

According to Craig Wakeling, manager of Horizon estate agents, there is an increasing flow of priced-out Londoners moving to Rochford, with properties running from very old cottages to new buildings. The budget? From £200,000 for a two-bedroom new flat to £400,000-plus for a four-bedroom detached house.