Midhurst, which sits within the South Downs national park, also has good quality state and private schools, and while buyers do still like Haslemere, Midhurst is rapidly catching up, says Rowlands – “which is amazing given it doesn’t have a Waitrose or a train station”.
Midhurst’s property prices, at an average £476,850, are a comparative snip compared to Haslemere’s average of £721,340. But it continues to attract buyers, with prices up 30pc in five years, compared to 10pc in rival Midhurst.
From: St Ives, Cornwall
To: Hayle, Cornwall
Gorgeous St Ives, with its surfing beaches and fabulous arts scene, is one of Cornwall’s most popular holiday towns, loved by relocators, retirees, and second-home buyers.
It is, however, expensive, and recently buyers have been casting out along the coast, first to Carbis Bay and then on to Hayle, five miles east, says Alex Taylor, of Strutt & Parker.
True, Hayle doesn’t have the same picture postcard seaside charm as St Ives (it sits on the River Hayle and the nearest beach is a mile from the centre of town), nor is it as well equipped with cute cafés and boutiques.
But its three miles of sand is less crowded than St Ives, there are some quality beach cafés to discover, and the town is better value for money – which is important in Cornwall’s overheated coastal market.
