Nestled in a gap in the North Downs, yet conveniently close to London and the M25, the town of Redhill in Surrey offers easy commutes for London professionals – and is also a popular base for workers in other parts of Surrey.
House prices tend to be slightly lower in Redhill than in the neighbouring town of Reigate, and there is a healthy demand for rental property from families who want to move out of London and rent before they buy – making it a good prospect for buy-to-let investors.
The town – which has enjoyed a makeover in recent years, including a new square and the addition of plenty of greenery – has become an entertainment and commercial hub for three neighbouring communities, Merstham, Earlswood and Whitebushes, as well as a couple of rural villages to the east (Bletchingley and Nutfield).
For buyers with children, Redhill and the neighbouring town of Reigate offer a good selection of private and state schools.
Commuter ease
By rail, Redhill station is a major interchange point on the Brighton Main Line, 21 miles south of London Victoria. The journey from Redhill to London Victoria can take less than half an hour, and a 12-month season ticket costs £3,432 to travel to London Zones 1-6. It also lies at the junction of two other lines: the North Downs Line from Redhill to Reading, and the Redhill to Tonbridge Line. There is a car park at Redhill station, offering a total of 367 spaces, with an annual charge of £1,105. There is two-tier cycle storage at the front of the station for up to 120 bikes, with CCTV coverage.
Redhill is also well-connected by road as it sits at the junction of the A23 and A25, with the M25 and M23 motorways within a three-mile radius.
By air, London Gatwick Airport is about seven miles to the south; Heathrow is 30 miles to the northwest; and you can access both Luton and London City airports by train.
Property types
There are plenty of new build and recently constructed homes in Redhill, including those at Water Colour, a sizeable and growing development of about 550 properties from Linden Homes, set around a former gravel pit located northeast of the town centre. This 25-acre area has been totally transformed with lakes, paths and a wildlife habitat managed by the Surrey Wildlife Trust. Homes from many other periods can also be found in Redhill, as well as cottages and converted farm buildings in surrounding villages and rural areas.
Some of the current homes for sale in Redhill, to suit a range of different buying budgets, include:
£175,000 or less
The ground floor, one-bedroom conversation apartment is well-presented throughout, is situated on a popular residential road, and offers easy access to the town centre and station. With a lease of 950 years remaining, it would be ideal for a first time buyer or as an investment.
Price: £175,000
Agent: Mann Countrywide
£240,000 or less
Only 0.6 miles from the station and the town centre, this modern, two-bedroom ground floor flat is set in communal grounds in a sought-after cul-de-sac location. With a spacious lounge/diner, a kitchen, two sizeable bedrooms and a bathroom, the property also provides good storage in the form of two large cupboards, and has two allocated parking spaces. With reasonable maintenance charges, the flat is being offered with no onward chain, and has 980 years remaining on the lease.
Price: Offers in excess of £235,000
Agent: Andrews
£325,000 or less
South of Redhill's centre, this two double-bedroom, semi-detached home has a large open-plan dining room and kitchen that is ideal for entertaining guests. It also has off-road parking for two vehicles; a conservatory; and an extensive back garden with a paved patio area and the rest laid to lawn. It is situated conveniently close to Earlswood Station, which like Redhill is on the Brighton Main Line. At peak times Earlswood is served by most passing services via Redhill to (morning peak) and from (evening peak) London Bridge and Victoria, making it a very handy spot for commuters.
Price: £325,000
Agent: Mann Countrywide
£375,000 or less
This modern, well-presented three-bedroom townhouse offers practical and flexible accommodation located just a couple of miles from Redhill station. It is part of the popular Royal Earlswood Park development, which is set in immaculate landscaped gardens and offers residents a private indoor swimming pool and a gym situated within a converted chapel. The property itself includes two double bedrooms, a good-sized third bedroom, an en suite, a utility room, a downstairs shower room, a garage/workshop, and a back garden, amongst other features.
Price: £375,000
Agent: Cubitt & West
£450,000 or less
Situated within the relatively new and growing Water Colour development – surrounded by lakes, pathways and a nature reserve – this four double-bedroom, end-of-terrace house offers approximately 1,676 sq ft of accommodation including a fitted kitchen/breakfast room, a cloakroom, and a spacious family room with a part-glazed roof feature. The first floor offers a further living room plus two of the four double bedrooms and the family bathroom, then on the second floor are the two remaining bedrooms, one of which has an en suite bathroom and Juliette balcony. Outside there is a lawned back garden, a private garage, and allocated parking space in front of the property.
Price: £450,000
Agent: Mann Countrywide
£485,000 or less
This updated and extended six/seven-bedroom semi-detached house offers genuinely spacious living accommodation including three bathrooms, three reception rooms, an en suite bathroom, a separate utility room, off-road parking, and a sunny back garden. It is located in a popular residential road, within easy walking distance of local Merstham train station, which can get you into London in less than 40 minutes. The local area is also home to good schools and a range of local shops, with easy access to motorways.
Price: £485,000
Agent: Cubitt & West
£550,000 or more
This four-bedroom detached property with three reception rooms and the potential to extend is situated in a quiet residential road which ends at a small green and woodland. It has expired planning permission to add a side extension with fourth reception room and two en suite bathrooms (TA/2004/839). Outside there is a south-facing garden with patio, lawn and mature plants. Situated by greenbelt countryside, the village of South Nutfield is within walking distance, offering a local primary school, railway station, shop, playground and post office. The station, 0.1 miles away, has services to Redhill (and Tonbridge) with direct services to London Bridge and Victoria in about 35 minutes – while by road Redhill is 2.8 miles (about eight minutes' drive).
Price: Offers in excess of £550,000
Agent: Hamptons
Option for a much larger budget
Built by CALA Homes in 1998, this substantial, modern five-bedroom home is situated within a pleasant private road lined with similarly large properties – close to Redhill and Reigate Golf Course, and just over a mile from Redhill town centre. It has three reception rooms; a family bathroom; two en suite shower rooms; a separate utility room; a double garage and parking space for several vehicles; and a mature, landscaped garden with views across open land towards the golf course.
Price: £810,000
Agent: Cubitt & West