The two-hour rule: where to move to within touching distance of London

According to the latest forecast from estate agents Hamptons, a second wave of property demand could keep house prices rising by up to 3.4 per cent a year between 2022 and 2024. Now that the pandemic is moving into our rear-view mirror, it seems many buyers are still plotting a move from the city.

If you’re not going into your office every day, you might be forgiven for thinking that you can cut ties with London completely. As the great city reawakens post-Covid, you should think again. Its vibrancy, shops, history, world class cuisine and incredible arts and culture should still be the guiding light of any property search – even if it is simply to make sure that you can still reach the capital by train. With that in mind, why not follow the two-hour rule? Find a town that’s less than two hours’ drive or train journey from London and relocate there.