New Homes in South East

Live among dramatic coastlines, rolling countryside and bustling towns

Whether you’re exploring the marina in Southampton, shopping in Oxford or walking through the Buckinghamshire countryside, there’s always plenty to see and do in this large and diverse region of England. Encompassing the cities of Portsmouth, Milton Keynes, and Brighton and Hove, your new home in the South East is within easy reach of London without compromising on space and tranquility.

The South East through the ages

The South East of England has a fascinating history, with evidence of human settlements dating back an incredible 500,000 after the discovery of ancient human remains in Boxgrove. It’s also home to the oldest road in the UK - known as The Ridgeway - which is around 5,000 years old and an impressive 87 miles long. Back in Roman times from the 3rd century, the South East was known as ‘Maxima Caesariensis’, and over the centuries the region has seen many historic events including the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and the Battle of Britain in 1940.

Due to its location, the South East has been invaded many times throughout history, and is home to a large number of England’s castles including Windsor Castle, Dover Castle, Hastings Castle and Broughton Castle. Other historic sites that can be visited today include Bletchley Park near Milton Keynes, HMS Victory and the Mary Rose Museum in Southampton and Canterbury Cathedral.

Must-know info for families

If you have children or are planning on starting a family, it’s worth knowing which schools are top-rated in the South East. Some of the best schools in the region include Wycombe Abbey School, Guildford High School, Oxford High School GDST and the prestigious Eton College. Other top institutions include Magdalen College School in Oxford, Haberdashers' Aske's School for Girls in Elstree, Sevenoaks School near Tunbridge Wells, The Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School in Elstree and Royal Grammar School in Guildford.

For higher education, the South East is home to a large number of universities including the world-renowned University of Oxford, the University of Southampton, Southampton Solent University, the University of Surrey and the University of Brighton. The University of Sussex, the University of Reading and University of Portsmouth are also located in the region.

Places to see and things to do

When it comes to family entertainment, there’s no shortage of things to do and places to see in the South East. Popular child-friendly attractions include Fishers Adventure Farm Park in West Sussex, Drusillas Park in Alfriston, Blue Reef Aquarium in Hastings and Snozone in Milton Keynes.

For a breath of fresh air, take the family for a walk through the South Downs or the New Forest, take in the sea views from the England Coast Path, or go cycling through the Chilterns.

What about business?

Located close to London along with several big airports and ferry ports, the South East is a thriving business region. Big companies located in the area including Microsoft and PepsiCo in Reading, Virgin Atlantic in Crawley, and American Express in Brighton. Other well-known businesses in the South East include Syngenta, Baxter Healthcare, BAE Systems, Unilever and Santander.

For travel

For commuters, the rail network is well-used throughout the South East and is ideal for journeys in and out of London. A train journey from Milton Keynes to the capital takes around 45 minutes, while the journey from Brighton takes 55 minutes and the train from Oxford takes approximately 1 hour.

If you’re travelling by car, the South East has many motorways for fast journeys, depending on traffic levels. The M1, M25, M4 and M40 are all located in the region, while the M2, M3, M20 and M23 also pass through the South East.

For travel further afield, whether for work or pleasure, some of the biggest airports in the UK are located in or close to the South East, including Gatwick, Heathrow and Stansted. There are also ferries to mainland Europe from Dover, and the Eurostar service through the channel tunnel, starting at London St Pancras going to Calais, Paris and Brussels.