London To Salisbury Commuter Guide

The Cathedral City of Salisbury is a hidden gem, tucked away in the far South of Wiltshire.

The city, previously overlooked as a London commuter area has become increasingly popular in recent years due to the short journey time to London Waterloo and the excellent schooling.

The City boasts an impressive array of cafes and restaurants, from high street chains to some fantastic independents including, Eastern Chillout, Charter 1227, Anokaa, Grillado and The Salisbury Arms, all of whom have achieved the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence.

Salisbury is lucky enough to still have its' own theatre, the Salisbury Playhouse, which plays host to a wide spectrum of productions. Regular events are also held in Salisbury City Hall, from musical events, to dance and comedy.

Of course the centre piece of this stunning city is Salisbury Cathedral which stands majestically within its close, one of the prettiest and largest of its' kind. In the summer locals and tourists alike can be seen picnicking in the grounds of the Cathedral whilst admiring its? awe-inspiring architecture. In the summer the Cathedral plays host to the Craft and Heritage festival and in the winter the Darkness to Light Advent Procession and the Family Christmas Carol service which are not to be missed.

If you are considering a move from London to the countryside, Salisbury is well worth considering. Talking to local estate agents in Salisbury is the best way to get a feel for the area. However,we have addressed some of the most frequently asked questions below:

What is the cost of commuting?

Train Costs:

Salisbury to London Waterloo - £5,092

Salisbury to London Waterloo with zones 1-6 travelcard - £5,916

Grateley to London Waterloo - £4,704

Grateley to London Waterloo with zones 1-6 travelcard - £5,540

Tisbury to London Waterloo - £5,636

Tisbury to London Waterloo with zones 1-6 travelcard - £6,476

* prices correct as at 10/12/15, courtesy of South West Trains

Parking Costs: Salisbury - Daily £8.00, Annually £1,000

Grateley - Daily £5.50, Annually £540

Tisbury - Daily £4.00, Annually £450

* prices correct as at 10/12/15 courtesy of South West Trains

How long does the commute take?

Salisbury to London Waterloo - 1 hr 32 mins Grateley to London Waterloo ? 1 hr 20 mins Tisbury to London Waterloo ? 1 hr 48 mins For further information please see the trainline.com

Is Salisbury well connected?

Salisbury is incredibly well connected. The M3, just a short drive away takes you all the way to London in about 1hr 30 minutes. In the other direction you have the A303 which takes you west bound to Exeter and beyond. Bournemouth, Southampton, Winchester and Basingstoke are all within a 30 - 45 minute drive and airports can be found at Heathrow (1hr 35 mins), Bournemouth (45 mins), Southampton (35 mins) and Gatwick (2hrs).

What are the schools like?

Salisbury benefits from excellent schooling both state and private. The city has two grammar schools, Bishops Wordsworth for boys and South Wilts Grammar School for girls which both achieve excellent results. Private prep schools include, Chafyn Grove, Leaden Hall, Cathedral School, Leehurst Swan, Forres Sandle Manor and Hampshire Collegiate and for secondary, Leehurst Swan, Hampshire Collegiate, The Godolphin School, or if you look a little further afield Dauntsey?s and Marlborough College. For further information on schools please visit schoolsnet.com

What are the house prices like?

House prices in Salisbury and the surrounding villages offer better value for money than some of the other commuter towns, namely, Winchester, Newbury, Basingstoke and Reading. A typical 2 bed terraced home in Salisbury City would cost approximately £160,000 - £215,000 where a 4 bed home could cost anything from £300,00 up to approximately £750,000. 

In the surrounding villages, you can find a 3 bed semi-detached house for between £190,000 and £250,000 and a four bed family home for approximately £375,000 - £600,000.

Where should we live?

Well the answer to this question really depends on the kind of life you wish to lead. Salisbury City itself offers many advantages and is especially attractive if you like the convenience of being able to walk to the shops and the many cafes and restaurants the city has to offer.

If you are keen to spread your wings and live a more rural life then the villages surrounding Salisbury have a lot to offer. Some of the larger villages like Winterslow, Downton & Shrewton offer a great halfway house between town living and your rural dream. They have village shops, pubs and regular bus services into the City but retain the charm of a village community, attractive walks, and the peace and quiet you would expect from the countryside.

The villages to the North East of Salisbury, the Winterslows, Wallops, Winterbornes, and Newton Tony, are a great choice if you are continuing to commute to London. These villages are all within a 10-15 minute drive to Grateley station which is a shorter journey time than travelling from Salisbury itself. The parking facilities are also better and you are far enough along the line to get a seat (most of the time!)

If you are only commuting to London a couple of days a week then you may wish to consider moving further South, West or South West of Salisbury where house prices tend to be a little bit better value for money. The Chalke Valley is particularly desirable with its historic villages, stunning scenery and fantastic walking and cycling routes. It?s possible from here to commute either from Salisbury or Tisbury. The New Forest and the Wylye Valley are other areas to explore but you will find house prices tend to be more expensive in these areas.

Estate agents in Salisbury are extremely knowledgeable about the local area and it would be advisable to talk to them about your move. If you are looking for property with land in particular, Fox Grant estate agents specialise in this area. Visit their website for a full listing of village property, equestrian property, smallholdings and tourism and leisure businesses for sale.