Over the past decade, numerous studies have highlighted the benefits of living near the great outdoors. Back in 2011, professor of landscape and human health Frances Kuo, revealed that not only was it better for your physical wellbeing, but that having access to open space also benefitted your mental health, made you more generous and on the whole more sociable.
Luckily, for many people in south-west London and Surrey some lush lawns are never too far away – be it one of the numerous parks (Bushy, Richmond, Norbury) or the rural splendour of the Surrey Hills AONB and North Downs Way, which all offer a vast range of opportunities for those residents who want to enjoy a walk, run or cycle.
David Rich-Jones co-founder of Richstone Properties says: “The fantastic green space and abundance of parks this area has to offer is a real draw for those looking to relocate.”
David points in particular to the 2,500 acres of Richmond Park, one of the most prestigious of the Royal Parks and a huge plus for those looking to move out of the capital, yet retain close links with London.
“Providing plenty of space for dog walks, Sunday strolls or family bike rides, the vast space feels completely separate from its surrounding towns,” says David.
“We’ve had clients move from inner London to Richmond, looking for a sense of the great British countryside but with an easy, quick commute, as well as those moving inwards from Surrey and Sussex, who find the borough the perfect mid-point between town and country living.
“As a developer, we’ve been building on the roads surrounding Richmond Park for almost 20 years, and have seen time and time again the draw of living just a stone’s throw from one of the gates has for potential purchasers.”
However, owning a home with a view does, unsurprisingly, come at a price. For example, the average price of a home near picturesque Bushy Park in Teddington is, according to property website Zoopla around £812,000, whereas the opposite end of town near Stanley Road, prices average out at about £538,000.
And while a home near a park or rural idyll may not always be possible, there are a growing number of properties that boast their own gym or shared fitness facilities.
John Pope, director of Octagon Bespoke, says: “We’ve seen a huge rise in clients interested in at-home gyms in recent years. Demanding work schedules and overcrowded gyms mean many people prefer to keep fit at their own convenience in the privacy of their own homes.”
Popular with the higher end of the market, Bespoke (which boasts clients including world-class athletes) offers buyers properties that not only include state-of-the-art equipment, surround sound and temperature control, but also resistance swimming pools and tennis courts.
“Octagon designs innovative fitness systems offering a level of freedom not possible in a local gym,” says John.
And perhaps most appealing of all is the spa-style facilities that often accompany the home gyms. As John says: “It means we can offer our clients the ultimate detox following a work-out, or residents can start the day with a sauna or steam room, jacuzzi or massage.” Worth working up a slight sweat for.
