There are seven villages and towns in Surrey which made the list of our best places to live near London, thanks to the county’s proximity to the capital.

Windlesham

Commute: Ascot (London Waterloo, 56 minutes). Drive to station: about 10 minutes. Frequency of trains: 3 per hour (peak). First train in: 6.10am; last train home: 11.50pm. Annual season ticket: £3,408. Annual car-park ticket: £1,030.

The Country Life verdict: An active village that obtained lottery money to refurbish the amateur Windlesham Club and Theatre. The fabled Updown Court was hailed as the most expensive country house to hit the market when, in 2005, it launched at £70 million. The Crown Prince of Dubai, the Duchess of York and Brian Blessed are residents.

Best addresses: ‘Upper Ribsden: opulence and land in a great location,’ says Paul Frost of Prime Purchase. ‘Windlesham Manor is very, very special indeed,’ believes James Grillo of Chesterton Humberts.

Alternative: Sunningdale.