The news that Hollywood heart-throb Antonio Banderas has bought a house in Elmbridge comes as no surprise. For many years this affluent Surrey borough has been home to some of the most influential business leaders in the country. But it wasn’t until Chelsea Football Club opened its new training ground in Cobham in 2007, that Elmbridge was propelled into the headlines. As an influx of wealthy celebrity footballers looked to acquire property, the tiny borough became known as the Beverly Hills of Britain.

Ever since, the golden triangle of Cobham, Esher and Weybridge (and many of the villages dotted in between) has grown in status, attracting celebrities from the world of sport, media and entertainment, so that today it is internationally recognised as the best place in which to buy a property in the UK outside London.

So just what is it about this leafy corner of Middle England that has made it so sought-after?

Could it be the easy access to the airports (Heathrow in 20 minutes; Gatwick and Farnborough in 35 minutes) or the proximity to the West End (by train 30 minutes; by road 45 minutes)? Is it the abundance of leading private schools, the wide open green spaces or the village atmosphere? Or perhaps it's the range of amenities, from boutique and independent shops to restaurants and cafés?

In fact, it's likely to be a combination of all these factors, along with one other essential – the possiblity for famous residents to blend seamlessly into the background and lead a relatively normal life.

Another factor is the value gap between Elmbridge's golden triangle, where purchasers can expect to pay up to £1,000 per sq ft for best-in-class property, and that of London's golden triangle of Chelsea, Knightsbridge and Kensington, where purchasers pay up to £5,000 per sq ft. But it isn't just about money: the high specification and quality of finish found in properties in Elmbridge is easily comparable to similar properties in London. Indeed, in some cases leading global property developers have replicated features seen in Elmbridge in their projects in the Capital.

But the truth is, Elmbridge is nothing like Beverly Hills – and for many of its residents, that's what makes it so appealing.