Eastwardfinds: Ideal living spots beyond London's borders, including Diss, Dedham, Newmarket, and Newport
Exploring the Charm of East Anglia: A Guide to Histon & Impington, Newmarket, and Beyond
Histon & Impington, a vibrant high street bustling with restaurants, cafes, a library, and the famous duck pond, is a charming destination in the heart of Cambridgeshire. Just a stone's throw away, Great Shelford offers easy access to Cambridge and the M11, with a cycle path linking to the city's Bio-medical Campus.
For those seeking a slice of history, Gazeley boasts a Grade II-listed thatched cottage with four bedrooms, three reception rooms, and a separate studio/office, available for around £600,000. On the other hand, Denmark Street in Diss presents large, detached houses selling for upwards of £1 million, just a short stroll into the town center.
Diss, a Norfolk market town, has become popular with part-time commuters due to its train line into London Liverpool Street. Nearby Pulham Market, a village often top on buyers' wish lists, offers eye-catching thatched cottages starting at about £350,000.
Moving towards Suffolk, Dedham, a charming village in Constable Country, is located within one to two hours of London on the train. The former inn in Dedham offers five bedrooms, three bathrooms, and sits on half an acre with separate workshops.
Newmarket, Suffolk is a popular destination for families moving from London suburbs, due to its proximity to Cambridge and good road connections. The Suffolk coast can be reached within 1-1½ hours from Newmarket. The villages of Newport and Great Chesterford offer attractive period buildings, each offering two good pubs, a tennis club, farmers market, and Arts groups.
In the eastern suburbs of London, areas like Barking and Dagenham, Redbridge, and Havering are popular with young families moving out of London due to good transport links and more housing availability compared to northern, western, or southern areas.
Ely, a small Cambridgeshire city, is garnering interest due to its Norman cathedral and proximity to Cambridge. The annual Histon & Impington Feast is a highlight of local life, while the Three Churches Walk connects Moulton, Dalham, and Gazeley. The Packhorse Inn and the medieval bridge in Moulton are notable attractions.
Hybrid working remains a popular lifestyle choice, particularly in areas east of London. In Newmarket, known for its racecourse and Newmarket Nights with racing and live bands, families can enjoy the glorious countryside of the Icknield Way. Thetford Forest is a location for horse riding and mountain biking near Newmarket.
For those seeking education, King's Ely and Barnardiston Hall preparatory schools are renowned in the area. Saffron Walden County High is 'exceptionally popular' for children from local villages. The town itself is a picture-postcard market town with pubs, independent shops, and cafes, including The Goat and Grass and Chater's.
Lastly, for home seekers, budgets of about £500,000-£1 million will cover a good-sized family home with green views on the city fringes in Ely. A four- or five-bedroom house with a garden might cost £1 million in the villages of Newport and Great Chesterford. In Histon & Impington, a four-bedroom, semi-detached home can be found for £750,000 or a detached house with a larger garden for £1.2 million-£1.4 million.
