The pandemic disrupted decades of predictable migration patterns out of London. Instead of the steady flow along arterial roads—down the A3 into Surrey, up the M40 into Buckinghamshire—buyers leapfrogged the Home Counties entirely, seeking value and space in more distant locations.
Six years on, with hybrid working patterns now settled and office attendance firmly back on the agenda, the calculus has shifted once more. The Home Counties are experiencing renewed interest—but the demand is far from evenly distributed.
Hampshire and Berkshire Lead the Pack
According to data from Propcast, published in The Telegraph, Hampshire and Berkshire currently share the top spot with a “market heat” of 49 degrees—meaning 49% of homes on the market are either under offer or sold. Surrey and West Sussex follow in the middle tier at 47%, while East Sussex and Kent bring up the rear at 40%.
What explains Hampshire’s enduring appeal? The county offers a compelling combination: beautiful landscapes, excellent schools, easy access to London and the South Coast, and a relaxed pace of life that resonates across generations.
Middeton’s Head of Country Buying, Ben Horne, noted in the piece: “The variety of high-quality period and new housing means [growing families] stay in the area, while the Georgian market towns like Petersfield, Alresford, Stockbridge and Romsey, as well as the cathedral city of Winchester, appeal to downsizers.”
Unlike the Cotswolds or parts of Cornwall, Hampshire hasn’t cultivated a “brand” among wealthy weekend visitors. This, perhaps counterintuitively, works in its favour. Villages here are full-time communities rather than dormitories for second-home owners—creating a more authentic, rooted way of life.
Read the full article here.
