Superb Gatwick and London connections make Horley a commuter home hotspot

Horley is a busy, compact town of over 20,000 people situated almost halfway between London and Brighton around 30 miles in each direction. Its round-the-clock trains to London and nearby Gatwick Airport make it a very popular commuter town with its working population divided equally between local jobs, Gatwick and London.

Journey times into London Victoria take 35 minutes on a fast train and just two minutes south to Gatwick. There are a number of new homes in the centre of town, some converted from former offices, and larger development on the outskirts. Last year, Thames Valley Housing won a WhatHouse? Awards Gold for Best Starter Home for its Horley development, Russell Square, just two minutes from the station.

A monthly season ticket to London costs £308 from Horley (£3,208 annually) with the fastest journey time between Horley and London Victoria 34 minutes, London Bridge 39 minutes. Trains to Gatwick take two minutes (£33.50 monthly, £348 annually); direct trains to Brighton take 25 minutes (£212.80 monthly, £2,216 annually).

Horley has superb road connections with Junction 9 of the M23 providing easy access to London and the M25 and the A23, 30 miles from Brighton. Gatwick is just two miles away via the A23.

Horley’s pedestrian High Street has a wide range of shops from popular chains to independent retailers, offering everything from fresh produce to items from its flagship department store of the local chain Collingwood Batchellor selling high-end furniture, cookware, lighting and homeware.

Major supermarkets include Waitrose and Lidls. There are lots of cosmopolitan cafés, gastro-pubs and tempting eateries in and around Horley. Ye Olde Six Bells has been serving beer for over seven hundred years, while Langshott Manor, a luxury 16th century boutique hotel, boasts a three AA Rosette Restaurant. Further afield, the shopping centres of Redhill and Crawley, as well as the market towns of East Grinstead and Reigate can all be reached in less than 20 minutes by car. 

Horley has a thriving sports community with cricket, tennis, squash, badminton, football and hockey clubs. Horley Recreation Ground is home to Horley Bowling Club, a skatepark, multi-purpose games area and children's playground. The nearest golf course is at Burstow three miles away. The Archway is a popular local theatre and there are cinemas, bowling alleys and other attractions within easy reach. Lingfield Racecourse is 10 miles away and the picturesque country lanes and rolling Surrey countryside are perfect for walking, cycling and horse-riding with the nearby Riverside Garden Park ideal for family picnics.

Good educational options include Langshott Primary, Meath Green Infant School and Horley Infant School. Secondary schools include Oakwood School and The Gatwick School for four- to 16-years-olds, a free school which opened in 2014. There are a number of excellent sixth form colleges in Redhill, Reigate or Crawley.  Private schools include Redehall Preparatory.

Here’s a round-up of great new homes to buy in and around Horley: 

Fairfield Green (Martin Grant Homes) - Less than a mile from Horley town centre, the ‘Alpine’ is a four-bedroom family home split over three floors providing spacious family accommodation. The properties are arranged in neighbourly cul-de-sacs with dedicated parking or garages, and the development is within the catchment of Langshott Primary School. Prices from £539,995. Find out more at www.martingranthomes.co.uk ; 01293 411797
Sovereign Place (Bellway Homes) - A contemporary development of one- and two-bedroom apartments and two-bedroom houses designed to appeal to professionals, first-time buyers and investors due to its close proximity to the town and station. Most homes enjoy allocated parking and landscaped garden areas or balconies. Prices coming soon. Find out more at www.bellway.co.uk ; 0333 577 1663
Oakfield Court (Andrews) - Available off-plan, Oakfield Court is an exciting development of 20 brand new luxuriously appointed one- and two- bedroom apartments located less than half-a-mile from Horley mainline station and less than three miles from Gatwick Airport. Prices from £225,000. Find out more at www.andrewsonline.co.uk ;   01293 783388
Langwood Drive (White & Sons) - A well-designed brand new family home occupies a generous plot with an adjacent detached double garage and parking for several cars. Stylishly finished throughout the property has a stunning kitchen diner, three further reception rooms and four double bedrooms and is within a range of good primary and secondary schools. Price at £625,000. Find out more at www.whiteandsons.co.uk ; 01293 785454
Bluebell Gate (Barratt Homes) – This four-bedroom contemporary detached-house is on a select development near East Grinstead is 11 miles from Horley. Featuring a kitchen with dining and family area and lounge and four double bedrooms, two with en suites, there is also an integral garage. Priced from £529,995. Find out more about Bluebell Gate from Barratt Homes	​​​​