Growing Camberley is a great option for commuters

The Surrey Heath Borough’s principle town of Camberley is probably best known as the home to the world renowned Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Originally called Cambridge Town, Camberley changed its name in 1877 to avoid confusion with the Cambridgeshire university town.

Today major employers include Siemens, Bank of America, Krispy Kreme UK and Surrey Heath Borough Council. A unique landmark in Camberley is the concrete pipe white elephant on the outskirts of the town created as advertising by a pipe company. The upkeep of the elephant was written into the tenancy contract when it closed down so subsequent businesses have kept it in situ.

Surrounded by beautiful Surrey Heathland, Camberley has easy access to many local towns and villages including Guildford, Windsor and Ascot. The town lies on the north-west Surrey border, where it meets Hampshire and Berkshire and is just 30 miles south west of central London.

Many residents commute to London Waterloo by train from Camberley or Frimley Stations or within Surrey via the M3 motorway, being 20 miles from Heathrow and 40 miles from Gatwick. The town has seen much regeneration providing new homes and leisure facilities. The local council has a vision for Camberley which sees it becoming one of the UK’s top towns by 2018 by improving road access, developing a new town square and refurbishing shopping facilities.

The Mall is the main shopping centre built around the Main Square with stores including House of Fraser. The High Street also has a number of shops as well as bars and clubs together with a multi-screen cinema, bowling complex and health and fitness club at The Atrium. More shops are found in Park Street and Princess Way. Camberley Theatre which offers music, comedy and film, has been given a facelift to provide a café and bar while the Arena Leisure Centre provides an excellent range of sporting and leisure facilities. Football, hockey, cricket and cycling are well represented locally. Frimley Park is a major hospital for the area. 

There are a number of state and private schools. Primaries include Lakeside Primary School, Watchetts Junior School and Camberley Infant School. Collingwood College is one of the largest top performing secondary academies in Surrey with over 2,000 pupils. Kings International College is also situated in Camberley. Royal Holloway University is 11 miles from Camberley in Egham, while the University of Surrey is at Guildford and the University of Reading is 16 miles away.

A monthly season ticket to London costs £422.40 from Camberley (£4,400 annually) with the fastest journey time of 1hr and 15 minutes. Trains to Clapham Junction take 1hr 2 minutes (£324.10 monthly, £3,376 annually); Guildford takes 46 minutes (£277 monthly, £2,364 annually).

Here’s a round-up of great new homes to buy in Camberley:

Kings Hundred (Redrow Homes) - Situated in open countryside between Camberley and Woking, in the village of Bisley, this development is just 35 minutes from London by train from nearby Brookwood Station, making a quick and easy commute. The Heritage Collection homes offer traditional Arts and Crafts inspired architecture. Prices from £569,950. Find out more about Kings Hundred from Redrow Homes  More Redrow Homes in Camberley can be viewed here.
Portesbery Square (CALA Homes) – This development of two-bedroom apartments and three-, four-and five-bedroom homes, is located just a short walk from Camberley Station with an hourly service to Waterloo in around 75 minutes. A host of local amenities are found in the town centre and well-regarded schools are a major draw for families. Prices from £235,000. Find out more about Portesbery Square from CALA Homes	​
Stokes Lodge (Churchill Retirement Living) - A new retirement development of 61 one- and two-bedroom senior apartments is surrounded by beautiful Surrey Heathland close to Camberley with its superb shopping facilities just 30 miles south west of central London. Prices from £285,950. Find out more about Stokes Lodge from Churchill Retirement Living
Viridium (Hodson Developments) – Now in its final phase this popular and award-winning development situated just off London Road in Camberley comprises a stylish collection of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments appealing to first-time buyers, downsizers and investors. Each property features a balcony and private parking. Prices start at £279,950. For details visit www.hodsondevelopments.com ; 01276 66693.
Woodbridge (Thames Valley Housing) - Within close proximity to Frimley station this superb collection of 10 converted apartments and houses in a beautiful locally-listed Edwardian building along with 10 new four-bedroom houses and 14 new one- and two-bedroom apartments are set within landscaped grounds. Help to Buy is available. Prices start from £299,995. For more information visit www.woodbridgehomes.co.uk ; 01276 538991.	​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​