London is full of life, diversity and plenty of things to keep you occupied day and night. But one South West London town has actually been named among the UK’s “most boring” places to live.
Surbiton was given the title by The Telegraph last month, amongst five other UK towns. While the Telegraph’s criteria isn’t abundantly clear, it would seem it has chosen places which people “collectively consider boring”, despite each having something that makes them special.
The leafy and tranquil Surbiton sits on the border of London and Surrey. The Telegraph once described Surbiton as “neither London nor Surrey, neither ultra-middle class nor confusedly ‘gritty.’ It also notes that the area is close to Home Park and Hampton Court, as well as Surrey Hills and Kingston.
The paper notes that the area’s top tourist attraction is its station which is perhaps why it made it to the list in the first place. However, what some might not know is that the hit sitcom series The Good Life was set in Surbiton, although it was actually filmed in the Middlesex borough of Northwood.
So while it might have just won the title of being one of the UK’s most boring towns, Surbiton has actually got plenty to offer for those looking for a more relaxed outskirts of London experience.
Transport and housing
The town is well-connected to the city, despite falling within Travelcard Zone 6. Journeys between Surbiton station and London Waterloo takes on average 27 minutes and costs £9.40 – making it a great option for commuters.
Its train station has a beautiful art-deco front which has featured in its fair share of TV shows and films including Harry Potter and Poirot. The area has also been home to celebrities like Spiderman star Tom Holland, and authors Enid Blyton and Jacqueline Wilson.
Houses in Surbiton cost on average £573,043, while flats are around £406,719. Compared to London’s average of £682,190, this is a steal – especially for those looking to get on the property ladder.
Things to do
In terms of things to do, Surbiton does have more to offer than one might expect from one of the UK’s “most boring” places to live. It is close to plenty of green spaces, such as Claremont Gardens and Berrylands Nature Reserve.
On the weekend residents can enjoy the “great atmosphere and true sense of community” at Surbiton Farmers Market. Architecture fans can also check out the historic clock tower designed by John Johnson to commemorate the coronation of HRH King Edward in 1902.
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