Why is Elmbridge popular?

Elmbridge is located in north Surrey and comprises a group of distinct towns and villages including Weybridge, Walton-on-Thames, Esher, Hersham and Cobham. Each offering something different, the borough has become a popular destination for city professionals wanting to reap the benefits of more space while remaining within a short commute of the capital. It’s also a popular location for families to raise their children.

Whether buying or renting, there’s a mix of properties from newly built apartments to family homes, and substantial period properties situated within the area’s private estates. Once part of Henry VIII’s Hampton Court hunting ground, Burwood and Ashley Park, both located in Walton-on-Thames, were developed into private estates in the early 20^th century. Other private estates include Blackhills, Esher Park, the Fairmile Estate and St George’s Hill, which is recognised as one of the most exclusive private estates in the UK.

From a pick of attractive property, scenic river views and award-winning landscaped gardens to world-class golf courses and excellent schooling, there’s a lot to like here.

Education

Education is one of the main drivers for those living in and relocating to Elmbridge. Home to 54 schools – a mix of state and independent, co-ed and single-sex – the borough offers options that will see children right through their education. Popular schools include Heathside Secondary, Esher Church School, Manby Lodge, St. George’s Junior School, Feltonfleet Cobham Free School, while Claremont Fan Court School and ACS Cobham International will take children from nursery age through to 18.

Entertainment and culture

There’s plenty of activities and things to enjoy across the borough and each town or village has something different to offer. Esher is home to Sandown Park Racecourse which hosts horse racing fixtures throughout the year in addition to fairs, antiques markets and concerts during the summer months. While not in the borough itself, Hampton Court Palace is just a stone’s throw from Esher and makes for a history-filled day out. 

For those who love the outdoors, there’s no shortage of green spaces to explore. Painshill Park, an 18th-century landscape garden with follies, grottoes and a vineyard, is a great place to escape from the day to day while RHS Wisley Gardens, just over the Elmbridge border, is home to 240 acres of flora and fauna. Claremont Gardens is also popular with families. 

For golf fans, Elmbridge boasts St. George’s Hill Golf Club, Burhill Golf Club and Silvermere, and there are various tennis and rugby clubs across the borough. The Thames, River Mole and the River Wey all flow through the area, ideal for a walk, run or bike ride. 

Elmbridge also marked its name in the history books as home to the first purpose-built racing circuit and one of the first aerodromes, which can both be found at Brooklands. Transformed into a museum in the early 1990s, Brooklands Museum is now favoured among motor and aviation enthusiasts.

Food and drink

As you might expect, Elmbridge is replete with national eateries as well as independent establishments offering all types of cuisine. In Esher, Michelin Star restaurant Starling, run by Great British Menu winner, Nick Beardshaw, serves up modern British cuisine. If pubs are more your thing, then there are plenty to choose from in the area, including The Old Plough in Cobham and The Waverley in Weybridge.

House prices in Elmbridge 

The popularity of the borough has, unsurprisingly, had a positive impact on prime values. According to Savills latest prime index, Surrey as a whole has seen positive growth of 8.3% since the pandemic. Weybridge has shown the greatest price growth in the borough historically, with values up 18.2% since March 2020 – and continues to show positive annual growth. 

House prices in Esher sit 11% up versus 2020, however, Cobham showed slower rates of growth at 2%. In the two key private estates, St. George’s Hill and Wentworth, house prices have also shown positive growth since 2020, despite a slight dip in the past year. 

Broadly speaking, prices across the borough start at around £300,000 for a one-bedroom apartment, and smaller houses are at around £600,000, while best-in-class family homes can fetch as much as £5 million. Properties on the private estates can command up to £25 million.

Transport

Elmbridge is an excellent choice for those looking to commute into London. With main line train stations in most of the towns throughout the borough it allows residents to reach central London in as little as 25 minutes. The southern border of Elmbridge is close to the motorway network, giving residents easy access to both London and Gatwick and Heathrow airports.

Approximate travel times by train 

Weybridge to London Waterloo = 30 minutes 

Walton-on-Thames to London Waterloo = 25 minutes

Hersham to London Waterloo = 33 minutes

Esher to London = 30 minutes 

Cobham to London = 38 minutes

Further information

Contact Simon Ashwell

Surrey estate agents