We may well know the names of those commuter towns which frequently top lists of ‘best places to live’ in the UK, such as riverside Taplow, just 33 minutes to London by train, and the ever-popular Stockport – declared one of the top spots in the North West by the Sunday Times in 2024.
But there are also countless unsung ‘Cinderella’ locations which offer the same advantages – from reliable rail links and decent schools to green spaces and a slower rhythm of life. These are the unsung commuter towns that can still deliver everything needed for that fabled work-life balance. Here, with the help of experts, we spotlight ten towns which lie under the radar – with property prices to reflect their untapped appeal.
1. HORSFORTH, WEST YORKSHIRE
With more than 220 coffee shops, bars, pubs and restaurants, and located only five miles north-west of Leeds, this ancient Yorkshire town – listed in the Domesday Book – offers a vibrant local scene without a premium price tag, says Jack Malnick, managing director at Sell House Fast. Average house prices are around £328,259. Green spaces and tree-lined streets give Horsforth a village-like atmosphere, as does easy access to countryside walks along the River Aire and towards the Wharfe Valley.
BUY IT: Minutes from Kirkstall Forge Station on New Road Side, a three-bedroom semi-detached house is available for £326,500 with Manning Stainton (manningstainton.co.uk).
2. SUTTON COLDFIELD, WEST MIDLANDS
Previously named the happiest place to live in Birmingham, and just half an hour from the city centre, Sutton Coldfield blends accessibility with a strong community vibe, says Jack Malnick. Properties sell for an average of £413,090. Around 72 per cent of schools within five miles are rated Good or Outstanding. It’s also close to green, leafy spaces, such as the 2,400-acre Sutton Park – one of the largest urban parks in Europe. It’s the perfect spot for walking in the woodlands and round the lakes, and enjoying the wild ponies.
BUY IT: A two-bedroom semi-detached bungalow on Sunningdale Close, with a rainfall shower, is available with Green & Company for £340,000 (green-property.com).
3. CHESTERFIELD, DERBYSHIRE
This North Derbyshire town has often been overlooked in favour of larger, more established commuter locations – but it’s starting to gain the recognition it deserves, says Jessica Risorto, director at Redbrik. Surrounded by the Peak District National Park, Chesterfield is well-placed for the commute to major cities, since it’s close to the M1. It also takes only 11 minutes by rail to get into Sheffield and 33 minutes to Nottingham. The town is best known for the iconic Crooked Spire of St Mary and All Saints Church, and also has one of the largest open-air markets in the region. And it’s good value for money. The average property price in Chesterfield is £197,000, compared to a UK average of £226,000 – so there’s lots of bang for your buck.
BUY IT: A five-bedroom family complex, complete with a one-bedroom annexe, is available for £875,000 with Haus (haushomes.co.uk).
4. PRESCOT, MERSEYSIDE
‘Prescot is a real hidden commuter gem for anyone who wants to stay within easy access of Liverpool while also enjoying the benefits of living in a smaller, community-led town,’ says Verona Frankish, chief executive officer at Yopa. ‘There’s a traditional town centre packed with amenities, from local parks and cafes to pubs and independent businesses, while the ongoing regeneration of the town is helping modernise the area without detracting from its unique identity.’ At the heart of this revival is the striking, timber-framed Shakespeare North Playhouse, a 470-seat theatre which has injected fresh cultural energy into the town. The average property price here sits at £225,000.
BUY IT: A four-bedroom, three-bathroom house with a spacious living room on Balmoral Way is available with Little Estate Agents from £325,000 (littleestateagents.co.uk).
5. GLOSSOP, DERBYSHIRE
With the expansive beauty of the Peak District right on the doorstep, Glossop is a rare kind of commuter town, according to Adam Day at eXp UK. ‘It sits close enough to Manchester to allow easy access into the city – just 30 to 35 minutes by direct train – while being far enough away to maintain its own, entirely different vibe.’ Properties go for £292,167 on average. Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian buildings line the streets, many of them preserved as listed architecture and filled with independent shops, cafes and small businesses that give the centre a lived-in, local feel. ‘Manchester can simultaneously be a stone’s throw away, while feeling like another world entirely,’ Mr Day adds.
BUY IT: A three-bedroom, semi-detached house on Wharncliffe Close is available with Reeds Rains for £350,000 (reedsrains.co.uk).
6. OLNEY, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
This north Buckinghamshire market town located on the Great Ouse is full of character, yet is largely off the radar – despite being a few minutes by car to Milton Keynes, which is only a 35-minute train ride to London. The average property price is £556,684, too – cheaper than in the capital. There are more than 100 listed buildings in Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian architectural styles, each housing independent shops and cafes. There’s a vibrant weekly market selling produce, plants and household goods, and a monthly farmers’ market. The town is famed for its annual community event, the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Race, which has been going for 600 years.
BUY IT: A short walk from the centre of town, a 200-year-old, two-bedroom detached cottage on West Street is available with Stephen Oakley & Co for £775,000 (stephenoakley.co.uk).
7. MACCLESFIELD, CHESHIRE
Named one of Rightmove’s ‘Happiest places to Live’ in its 2025 index, this historic Cheshire market town blends heritage, green space and vibrant community spirit, says Jennifer Burns, sales director at David Wilson Homes. There’s a popular monthly artisan market (known as the Treacle Market, pictured) selling local food, crafts and antiques; a selection of good schools; and an abundance of parks and green spaces. ‘With direct trains to London offering journey times from around one hour and 50 minutes, and to Manchester in just 30 minutes, the town has become an attractive choice for commuters and hybrid workers looking for the perfect balance between city access and countryside living.’ Homes go for an average of £303,775 here.
BUY IT: A three to four-bedroom townhouse on quiet cul-de-sac Wilshaw Place is available with Jordan Fishwick from £350,000 (jordanfishwick.co.uk)
8. ELY, CAMBRIDGESHIRE
Cathedral city Ely is easily one of the most underappreciated commuter locations in East Anglia, with the average property costing just £382,000. Cambridge is a 15-minute train journey away, and you can reach King’s Cross in just over an hour. ‘Ely is also becoming a lifestyle choice,’ says Daniel Gover, valuations manager at Cheffins. ‘From craft-style pubs to a thriving food scene, regular farmers’ markets and a growing programme of events at popular venue The Maltings, there’s so much on offer here.’ The city is also home to King’s Ely, one of the oldest schools in the UK, which is set in stunning grounds around Ely Cathedral (pictured).
BUY IT: A three-bedroom detached home on Hawthorn Farm, with a 1.35-acre plot and a range of outbuildings, is available for £575,000 with iad UK (iad.uk.com).
9. PETERSFIELD, HAMPSHIRE
With the South Downs National Park on its doorstep, an open-air swimming pool, thriving weekly markets and a busy calendar of festivals, Petersfield in Hampshire is an unsung commuter gem, says Zoey Rampton, head of sales at private property developer Dandara Southern. The average property price is £528,000, and buyers here can enjoy independent shops, boutiques, restaurants and pubs, weekly markets and a lively calendar of festivals. ‘Buyers love the easy access to some of southern England’s most attractive countryside, while maintaining excellent connectivity,’ Ms Rampton adds.
BUY IT: A four-bedroom detached home with two bathrooms and a generous garden is available with Bourne Estate Agents for £600,000 (bourneestateagents.com).
10. PANGBOURNE, WEST BERKSHIRE
Once home to The Wind in the Willows writer Kenneth Grahame, and later linked with Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, Pangbourne is often overlooked in conversations about Thames Valley commuter villages, says Hayley Adshead of Stacks Property Search. But with an average property price of £738,588, it’s not one to be ignored. ‘The high street has managed to resist the chains that have colonised so many commuter towns, and remains lined largely with independent shops, cafes and restaurants. The Thames Path runs along the river for the better part of two miles from the village, while the Chilterns lie to the north and the Berkshire Downs to the south.’
BUY IT: A short walk to the station, a three-bedroom detached cottage with a 50-foot garden is available for £800,000 with Parkers (parkersproperties.co.uk).
