Retford, a market town in Nottinghamshire with a population just below 24,000 according to the 2021 census, offers direct rail links to London King's Cross in roughly 90 minutes. Average property prices in the town stand at £206,000, which is nearly £450,000 cheaper than London's average of £652,000, making it an increasingly attractive option for commuters willing to travel further afield.
The town's appeal is bolstered by a thriving farmers' market held on the third Saturday of each month, an antiques and bric-a-brac market on Fridays, and an annual continental market that draws crowds from across the region. Councillor John Manners, who has lived in Retford his entire life apart from university and has represented the town for two years, spoke to MyLondon about life in the 'fantastic' town with 'very friendly' people.
Community spirit and welcoming residents
Cllr Manners highlighted the community spirit as a defining feature of Retford. He said: "First, I would say the community is fantastic. Whenever we have issues such as flooding or any major issues in the town, which we can get fairly often, the community pulls together. Everyone offers their support and pitches in to try to help out. Community first and foremost."
He also praised the town's openness to diverse groups: "Retford's fairly welcoming to multiple people from different walks of life. We've got fairly large communities in Retford that contribute positively to the area and have always done so." When asked how warmly Londoners are welcomed, Cllr Manners replied 'fairly well.'
Local facilities and countryside attractions
The councillor believes local facilities are outstanding, from the theatre to the pub culture. "We've got quite a vibrant history with our theatres and other areas like our museum and some of our former industry," he said. "So there are quite a lot of things to do, especially our local pub scenes, which are brilliant."
Beyond the town itself, Cllr Manners recommended the Idle Valley Nature Reserve, describing it as "quite a large natural area for people to go and visit." The River Idle runs through Retford, adding to its idyllic setting.
Commuter suitability and market appeal
The 90-minute direct train journey to King's Cross makes Retford particularly suitable for those only needing to be in the office a couple of times per week. The town's combination of lower house prices, community spirit, and leisure options positions it as a viable alternative to the traditional Home Counties commuter belt.
