Weybridge
Weybridge, just sixteen miles south west of central London, is known to property finders and buying agents as a green, leafy and exceptionally pleasant place to live. At the heart of stockbroker country, the town itself is home to a population of around 16,000. This is a perfect location for any property searcher who requires rapid access to central London, Gatwick, Heathrow, and south east England. You can reach Waterloo in less than an hour by train, Gatwick in less than an hour by road, and Heathrow in less than thirty minutes, depending on traffic. Road and rail links are excellent: you can be on the M25, M3 and A3 within minutes. Property buyers will soon realise, however, there’s so much more to Weybridge than the transport and communications network.
Wheels of Weybridge
Having said that, some of the most entertaining aspects of Weybridge relate to wheels – if you’re a property buyer who enjoys supercars, motorbikes, London buses or aeroplanes, this is definitely the town for you. This is the home of Concorde, and the splendid Brooklands Museum hosts regular events that will make the hearts of speed demons sing.
If you’ve ever wondered whether modern superbikes truly are superior to pre-War racing bikes, the Brooklands Motorcycle Show offers the ideal opportunity. If, however, you’ve always wanted to possess a vintage Aston Martin, Bentley, Ferrari, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche or Rolls-Royce, the HIstorics Classic Car Auction will definitely catch your eye. Don’t forget to take a little time out from your property search to visit Mercedes-Benz World, including a lap around the circuit. For London Bus enthusiasts, or those who just want a great family day out, the London Bus Museum Summer Gathering is literally just the ticket.
Cakes and Ale
Although Weybridge is a commuter dormitory town, property buyers will be glad to learn that there is a very strong sense of community here. If you’re a fan of the Great British Bake-Off, for instance (and cake in general), ask your buying agent about the annual Great Weybridge Cake Off & Artisan Market. If your property search dates don’t coincide with the dates for that event, fear not – several excellent cake outlets sell delectable home-made cakes and desserts. If craft ale is more to your liking than a cup of tea, there are also some good traditional pubs in town, and if you’d like more substantial fare than cake, there are several excellent restaurants in the locality. Whether you’re a vegan or an omnivore, whether you enjoy traditional fish and chips, Asian fusion, gastropubs, French, or European fare, you won’t go hungry.
Property Finder Potted History
There has been a settlement here for hundreds of years – Weybridge gets a mention in the Domesday Book as Webrige and Webruge. Until the coming of the railway link to London Waterloo in 1838 it was a small village.
This is an ideal base to see so much of this quintessentially English county – nature lovers and keen hikers will enjoy the gentle beauty of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the tamed expanse of Windsor Great Park. History buffs and Royal watchers will enjoy visiting Hampton Court Palace and Windsor Castle. Garden and flower enthusiasts will find much to entertain them at Chertsey Meads, the 175 acre wildflower meadow on the banks of the Thames, and at the more formal gardens of Sunbury Park, RHS Garden Wisley and the Medicine Garden at Cobham. Kew Gardens is also within easy reach.
Hidden Hives of Creativity
Property buyers who follow the arts will be delighted to learn that Weybridge has had many famous inhabitants. John Lennon lived here for four years in the 1960s, as did Ringo Starr; Cliff Richard, Gilbert O’Sullivan and Tom Jones also spent time here. Other famous residents include Martine McCutcheon, Bollywood’s Shilpa Shetty, journalists Michael Aspel and Kelvin MacKenzie, and footballers Peter Crouch, of Stoke City, as well as Arsenal’s Petr Čech. Fiction writer Nina Bawden has associations with the town, and a blue plaque marks E.M. Forster’s address while he was writing Howard’s End and other works.
Property buyers seriously considering Weybridge need to be aware that this is not a cheap option: a skilled and experienced property finder is essential. The gated estate on St George’s Hill is one of the most affluent in the entire United Kingdom. Buying agents and others often nickname the place “Britain’s Beverly Hills”; if you’re looking for luxury within easy reach of London, Weybridge will definitely fit the bill.