The phenomenon of postcode snobbery, once confined to urban elites, is now sweeping through the UK’s rural heartlands as wealthy homebuyers play the waiting game for the perfect village abode.
This trend isn’t just a city-dweller’s game anymore – it’s taking the countryside by storm.
Affluent families are shelling out hefty sums to rent in less desirable areas, biding their time for months or even years until a property in their dream village hits the market.
A The Telegraph compiled a list of the creme de la creme of villages in each English county, judged on a mix of high property values, lifestyle perks, connectivity, and picturesque charm.
Flying the flag for Bedfordshire is the charming village of Studham.
The quaint little village boasts an enviable position as it’s ideal for daily commuting to and from London.
The village boasts an enviable position straddling the Buckinghamshire border to the south and Hertfordshire boundary to the east, merely five miles away from Dunstable.
Situated a short drive from London, the village offers an ideal commuting option with average property prices commanding a steep £700,494 – a figure affordable only to those earning handsomely in the capital.
Its proximity to Whipsnade Zoo is another highlight, but the area’s prized trait lies in its charming 16th-century pub, captivating common, and local primary school.
The firm Savills celebrated Studham as one of the most sought-after locales during the lockdown.
Sporting a modest population of just 1,180 residents, Studham’s community life thrives primarily around the Common, which provides a verdant backdrop for various activities from strolls, and the annual May Fair, to the local football matches.
The surrounding locale is a hikers’ paradise, with the village resting in the sheltered, tree-lined southern-facing slope of the Chiltern Hills.
Amidst this tranquil setting, Studham offers two esteemed public houses the historic Bell, dating back to 1502, and the cherished Red Lion.
Each establishment has garnered admiration; notably, the Bell was acclaimed as Best Pub in Bedfordshire during the National Pub and Bar Awards 2018, while the Sunday roasts at the Red Lion have become a staple among its patrons.
This coupled with a reputed primary school makes it a hotspot for families with younger children.