A Cobham Buying Agent’s perspective
Cobham, Oxshott, Weybridge and Esher are all extremely affluent parts of the UK, just outside of London but within Surrey and the M25 circular motorway.
All falling within the highly sought-after borough of Elmbridge, this area of Surrey is home to some well-known celebrities, media and sports people, artists, and successful people in business.
Elmbridge is extremely well connected to London and the wider UK by road and train. There are two international airports on the doorstep and the internationally famous Farnborough and Biggin Hill airfields are a short drive away.
Cobham and Oxshott
Often grouped with Stoke D’Abernon, the villages of Cobham and Oxshott have several private estates, from the famous Crown Estate in Oxshott to the Fairmile, Eaton Park and Oxshott Way Estates in Cobham.
Run by resident’s associations, their security, peace, quiet and excellent gardens often secure the highest prices in Surrey, making these some of the most desirable addresses outside of central London, only 35 -50 minutes away.
History
Cobham as a settlement has been around for 100’s of years and was mentioned in the Doomsday Book. The beautiful St Andrews Church, just behind the high street, dates from the 12th century and has a preserved Grade I listed Norman tower whereas St. Mary’s Church, considered to be Surrey’s oldest church, can be traced to the 7th Century.
Alongside the churches, there are some fantastically beautiful older buildings from stunning Tudor, Georgian and Victorian terraces to striking manor houses. The beautiful River Mole with its overhanging Weeping Willow, trees snakes through the village passing from the church to further along and to the side of a beautifully rural yet central area known as The Tilt.
Historically there were effectively two high streets, with one on the north-western side of Portsmouth Road and now the established high street running through the centre of the village. Albeit still called a village, the size and facilities are now more in keeping with a small town.
I was informed once that in the days of the highway robber, this part of Surrey was almost impassable through thick forest, with only small roads cut through it, allowing the monarch of the time to access their realm with stops at accommodating inns for a comfortable nights stop over.
Property
Together, being some of the most expensive places in the UK to buy a house, the best properties here are often sold off-market where a good Surrey and Cobham Buying Agent is required to get your foot through the door.
Prices for a detached property in Cobham will start from under £1,000,000 through to over £30,000,000 with a house on the private estates more typically fetching between £2,000,000 to £7,000,000.
There has been a tendency for developers to buy an older, period cottage, raze it to the ground and build a substantial mansion house in its place.
As such many of the homes have an archetypal design of a Georgian façade opening into a wide double hallway with large spacious rooms on either side and over three floors. The houses tend to be of the highest build quality and built by such developers as Octagon Homes and where a Cobham Buying Agent will have a good relationship helping you to find the perfect plot or house for you.
It is not unusual to buy a home from a developer off-plan and have it designed and completed to an individual specification, creating the perfect home for the new owners.
Family
Family activities are everywhere here too. Leafy walks are amongst the country’s best, with long, open and unhindered trails through woods and nearby hills with outstanding views. There are stunning parkland walks at RHS Wisley, Paneshill Park and Claremont Landscape Gardens.
The exciting Thorpe Park and Chessington World of Adventures are both nearby as are Top Golf and the internationally renowned Sandown Race Course in nearby Esher along with Epsom Racing in the Epsom Hills.
Oxshott also enjoys its member village sports club, OSVC (Oxshott Village Sports Club), with tennis, squash, and cricket all at its heart. Cobham Rugby Club has outstanding facilities with games from 5-year-olds right through to the successful men’s team, whilst the Oxshott Royals football cub continues to thrive.
And for those of you who enjoy golf, the rumour is that more acres are given over to outstanding nearby golf courses than to housing!
Due to its beauty and proximity to London, Oxshott was chosen to be part of the London 2012 Olympic cycle route leading to the stunning Box Hill area just beyond the village and down towards the historic and very attractive nearby town of Dorking.
Shopping
There are two high streets, with Cobham’s being the larger one served by both Waitrose and Sainsburys. There is a plethora of gastro and social public houses and restaurants, including The Ivy restaurant and The Coppa Club and an abundance of wonderful independent shops and boutiques, with nearby London, Guildford and Kingston providing for any further shopping requirements.
Education
Cobham and Oxshott have a wealth of excellent schools to choose from locally and nearby.
There is an exceptional mix of state and independent schools, with Reeds School, Notre Dame, ACS International School, St John’s School Leatherhead, Epsom College, Claremont Fan, Danes Hill, Parkside, Feltonfleet, Cobham Free School all coming to mind.
As a Surrey and Cobham buying agent, I have had personal experience within the education system in Cobham and Oxshott and am in a great position to advise on the best options for your family’s needs.
Transport
Within 10 minutes of J9 and J10 of the M25 and the A3, Cobham and Oxshott are well-served by the road network. Trains leave from Cobham & Stoke D’Abernon train station and from Oxshott to Waterloo and Guildford. London Waterloo is approximately 40 minutes.
Weybridge and St. Georges Hill
Weybridge is a picturesque town approximately 18 miles southwest of London. It is situated along the River Wey and is known for its affluent residential areas, excellent schools, and convenient transportation links to London and other major cities.
With a population of around 30,000, Weybridge has a friendly community atmosphere that attracts families, young professionals, and retirees.
History
The town has a rich history that dates back to the Anglo-Saxon era. It was once a thriving market town and a centre for leather production.
Today, Weybridge is a bustling town that offers modern amenities and historic charm. It has a range of shops, restaurants, cafes, and several parks and green spaces where residents can enjoy outdoor activities.
St. Georges Hill has a rich history closely tied to the local community. During World War II, St Georges Hill was used as a training ground for the Home Guard, a local defence force tasked with protecting the UK from invasion.
Today, the estate has various events and activities that unite the community, such as charity fundraisers, garden parties, and sporting events.
St. Georges Hill
One of the most exclusive residential areas in Weybridge is St Georges Hill. This private estate covers an area of approximately 964 acres and features luxury homes, stunning views, and excellent amenities.
The estate was built in the early 20th century and has since become one of the most sought-after locations for wealthy residents in the UK. As a result, St Georges Hill is home to various high-profile residents, including celebrities and business leaders.
The properties on St Georges Hill are some of the most expensive in the UK, with prices ranging from several million pounds to tens of millions of pounds.
The estate features a range of facilities, such as a private golf course, tennis courts, and a clubhouse. The golf course is renowned for its challenging layout and scenic views of the surrounding countryside.
St Georges Hill is also known for its stunning architecture, which ranges from traditional English country homes to modernist villas. Many properties are set within extensive gardens and offer panoramic views of the Surrey Hills.
Buying a property in St. George’s Hill is not as easy as it might sound. At times, almost a third of the available properties are only known to a Surrey Weybridge or Cobham buying agent
Other Private Estates locally
In addition to St. Georges Hill, Weybridge has several other exclusive residential areas, such as Burwood Park and Ashley Park. Like the aforementioned estates, these areas feature luxury homes within extensive landscaped gardens and offer a high standard of living.
Education
There are many choices of schools, and being close to Cobham and Oxshott, many families will choose the same.
Further afield but within easy reach are other prestigious schools such as Eton and Wellington.
Transport
Weybridge and St. George’s Hill are located close to the M25 motorway, with access at J10 shared with Cobham or J11.
It provides easy access to London and other parts of the UK. The areas are also well-connected to major roads such as the A3 and A4, providing quick access to nearby towns and cities.
Weybridge station is the nearest railway station, located approximately 2 miles away from St. Georges Hill. Residents can take regular trains from Weybridge station to London Waterloo, with a journey time of roughly 30 minutes.
There are also direct trains to other major cities such as Guildford, Basingstoke, and Southampton.
Summary
Buying properties in Elmbridge can be challenging. With so many properties being sold privately to buyers introduced via ‘those that know’, and the significant differences that each estate or area can make to your commute, school run and family life, having support from a Surrey and Cobham buying agent, really is vital.
The amount of parents I have seen driving 45 minutes to an hour, each way, to drop off and then pick up their children later in the day is criminal. Buying the right house in the right location is all about research, time, effort and who you know. Better than that, a good buying agent could save you 1000’s of pounds too!
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