For anyone searching for a new home or assessing the property market, understanding which locations are most coveted is invaluable. Fresh analysis conducted by The Telegraph in partnership with estate agency Savills has identified the towns across the Home Counties that are currently in highest demand.
The Winning Formula: Village Charm Meets City Links
The study, published on Monday 5 January 2026, scored towns on a comprehensive set of criteria. These included the quality of green spaces, transport connections, and schools, alongside the proportion of residents in professional or managerial roles, educational attainment levels, and general health statistics. The findings strongly indicate that a key driver of a town's appeal is its proximity to London, making it a viable option for commuters.
Consequently, affluent areas in the South East dominate the rankings. Topping the list as the most desirable town in all of Britain is Harpenden in Hertfordshire. The journey from Harpenden to London St Pancras takes a mere 30 minutes by train, placing it firmly within the capital's commuter belt.
What Makes Harpenden So Special?
The Telegraph highlights the town's successful blend of 'village charm' with a 'superb range of restaurants, wine bars and leisure facilities'. Educational standards are a major draw, with several schools receiving high ratings from Ofsted. Furthermore, an impressive 60 percent of the local population holds a bachelor's degree-level qualification.
Residents offered colourful insights into daily life. One local warned that newcomers must be ready to 'navigate a lot of SUVs', while another noted the town's popularity with families, attracted by 'every club or class imaginable'.
A Premium Price for a Premier Location
Given its coveted status, it is no shock that property prices in Harpenden sit significantly above the national average. Securing an average home there requires an investment of approximately £950,000. However, this is not even the highest price tag on the list.
The second most desirable town, Cobham in Surrey, commands an average property price of around £1.4 million, offering 'easy access to green spaces' and a 'cafe society'. In third place, Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire—praised for its 'excellent high street', 'great schools', and proximity to the Chilterns—has an average property value of £1.2 million.
The full top 20 most desirable towns in Britain, according to the research, are:
- Harpenden, Hertfordshire
- Cobham, Surrey
- Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire
- Chorleywood, Hertfordshire
- Amersham, Buckinghamshire
- Hale, Greater Manchester
- Esher, Surrey
- Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire
- Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire
- St Albans, Hertfordshire
- Virginia Water, Surrey
- Sevenoaks, Kent
- West Bridgford, Nottingham
- Ashtead, Surrey
- Farnham, Surrey
- Cambridge
- Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire
- North Ascot, Berkshire
- Altrincham, Greater Manchester
- Weybridge, Surrey
Separately, within London itself, The Telegraph named Richmond Green as the capital's most desirable place to live. The research underscores a clear trend: connectivity, community feel, and quality amenities continue to command a substantial premium in the UK property market.
