In the past 18 months a certain type of buyer not seen since the credit crunch has been returning to the market: the weekender.

Typically from London, weekenders have always been a niche group. But though they make up only a small proportion of overall buyers, the number of weekenders looking for property in West Sussex and the Surrey Hills has probably doubled since 2013. In Oxfordshire, Katie Baldwin at Savills Henley reports that buyers registering for weekend properties has increased by around 10 per cent.

A lot of the current purchases are fuelled by the rise in London prices, which has allowed buyers to release equity from their primary homes to finance their weekend idylls. Budgets typically start at around £800,000, with homes being purchased primarily for own use, though some buyers will let their properties for a few weeks during peak seasons.

The increased interest in weekend homes isn't limited to buyers. Emily Hayward at Savills Summertown comments: 'Currently 12 per cent of our tenanted properties are let by true weekenders.Typical budgets will range from £1,200 pcm for a cottage to £10,000 pcm for a country mansion.'

Renting or buying, weekenders typically look for properties in a quiet, rural location that is relatively accessible from London. As far as buyers are concerned, anything that needs work is usually off the agenda – they want retreats they can start enjoying immediately.

Tenants' requirements are much the same. 'These weekenders like modern conveniences but traditional features – modern kitchens and bathrooms in character properties,' says Emily.

Weekenders tend to want easy-to-maintain gardens, though many will choose to enlist someone local to help keep an eye on the property when they’re not there. Tenants, says Emily, like the services of a gardener to be included in the rent.

And there is one thing every weekender, tenant or buyer, wants: proximity to a good country pub.

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