The Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) has been named as the best place to live in the Southeast, according to The Sunday Times newspaper.
Topping the list for the region, the Surrey Hills was chosen for its โgloriously restorative landscapeโ, โhistorical villagesโ, โstriking distance of Londonโ and โplethora of village eventsโ. Scooping the top spot in the 2021 ranking, the Surrey Hills AONB saw off runners-up Lewes, Winchester, Petworth and the Isle of Wight, amongst others.
Part of The Sunday Timesโ โBest Places to Live 2021โ roundup, the writers pointed to the many reasons that make living amongst the Surrey Hills highly sought-after:
โHere the wooded hills, flower-rich grasslands and moorlands between Farnham and Dorking offer the perfect picturesque English countryside โ and heartwarming pubs โ for anyone who isnโt ready to completely cut their ties with the capitalโฆ This is the Hollywood version of country life.โ
With endless opportunities to explore a diverse landscape of hills and valleys, thick woods, open farmland and intriguing sunken lanes, as well as pretty villages and historic market towns, it is easy to see why the Surrey Hills AONB stands in prime position as the most desirable place to call home in the Southeast.
Whilst the entirety of the Surrey Hills was picked out as taking the top spot, a handful of locations were given special mention by The Sunday Times, including Tilford, Chiddingfold, Abinger Hammer and Friday Street. Newlands Corner was also chosen as a not-to-be-missed site for its ranging views, Agatha Christie connections and proximity to the mysterious Silent Pool.
Vice President of the Surrey Hills Society, Christine Howard, was also quoted as part of The Sunday Timesโ article, saying:
โWhat I love most are the trees. Itโs such a special landscape. I grew up on English fairy tales. When Iโm out walking here I feel like Iโm in the land of Tolkein or Beatrix Potter.โ
To read more about why the Surrey Hills AONB was chosen as The Sunday Timesโ Best Place to Live in the Southeast 2021, visit: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/surrey-hills-best-place-to-live-southeast-uk-9w8nfwqhw