The Reddit thread sparked debate between locals about whether some of the county’s towns live up to their reputation as posh or not
When Surrey is mentioned to those outside its boundaries, the word “posh” inevitably springs to mind. The county has earned a prestigious reputation as one of England’s wealthiest regions, renowned for its beautiful countryside, high property prices, and excellent transport links to the capital.
Londoners may well be tempted to relocate to these genuinely greener pastures, especially considering that some Surrey railway stations provide journey times of just 30 minutes to London Waterloo. Additionally, many people are still working from home and might be thinking about swapping cramped city flats for homes with more outdoor space.
Yet, not every part of Surrey lives up to such lofty expectations, and whilst locals love their county, several Reddit users have asked whether certain areas truly deserve their upmarket image or simply don’t meet Surrey’s high standards, reports Surrey Live.
The subreddit question: “Can you think of towns in Surrey that Londoners automatically think are ‘posh’ but really ARE NOT?” triggered passionate debate amongst contributors, producing plenty of arguments and bold statements in the comments section that may well surprise some people.
Woking and Epsom were named amongst Surrey’s least sophisticated towns by contributors pointing out that The Jam’s track ‘A Town Called Malice’ references Paul Weller’s birthplace, Woking.
Despite its contentious reputation, Woking sparked a lively debate amongst residents, earning 45 upvotes. The town has seen significant investment recently, boasting a revamped town centre, luxury flats and retail outlets, whilst also benefiting from the prestigious RHS Wisley on its doorstep.
Epsom was another location that sparked considerable discussion, with many users questioning its inclusion in “best places to live” rankings. One contributor commented: “I’ve never understood how Epsom is consistently placed high on the list of best places to live in the UK,” receiving 22 upvotes.
Residents highlighted Epsom’s stunning rural surroundings and its fame for equestrian heritage and striking Georgian architecture. The historic town also hosts a regular market in its centre, offering locally-sourced produce and handmade goods.
Unexpected entries included the scenic villages of Godalming and Haslemere. One individual remarked: “Godalming – whilst it’s smart and picturesque there are always groups of teenagers drinking and smoking.”
Some might find it surprising to see Godalming featured, especially as it earned recognition on Surrey’s most affluent areas discussion forum. The presence of a sizeable Waitrose surely counts in its favour.
Similarly, Haslemere appears to divide opinion, with attractive properties and a large Waitrose seemingly insufficient to secure its posh credentials. One user remarked: “Right hear me out on this one: Haslemere. Haslemere has a posh side (the Waitrose side) but the spoons there is the fightiest one in the county. Weyhill on a Saturday night by the kebab van is the savannah watering hole for the local teenage wildlife.”
Despite being regarded as one of the best locations for commuters, with excellent transport links to London via the A3 which runs straight to the coast, Haslemere also benefits from outstanding schools and sits just 40 minutes from the seaside.
Weybridge proved the most divisive entry in the debate. Whilst one contributor conceded there were some pleasant private roads, they branded the town terrible, alongside most neighbouring properties, receiving just one upvote in total.
This prompted disagreement, with another user responding: “If you don’t think Weybridge is posh, I don’t know where you think is actually posh,” attracting 15 upvotes. A third person added: “Live in Weybridge can second this Weybridge is pretty nice compared to other parts of Surrey.”
Another local defended Weybridge, stating: “I’ve lived in Weybridge for 3 years and only have nice things to say about it. I feel you have got very unlucky in Weybridge and can only apologise for the bad experiences you have had here.”
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