Ideal living

Haslemere is the most southerly town in historic Surrey, but its proximity to neighbouring West Sussex and Hampshire means residents can enjoy the pristine countryside and many attractions of all three counties.

Haslemere offers a great choice of state schools at all levels, including local comprehensive Woolmer Hill, St Bartholomews CofE Primary, Shottermill Junior, Camelsdale Primary School and Grayswood CofE Primary School. Additionally, the town is home to the highly regarded independent schools of St Ives and The Royal School, which also has boarding facilities.

Occupying an idyllic spot between the South Downs National Park and the Surrey Hills Area of Natural Beauty, Haslemere has some of the UK’s most unspoilt countryside on the doorstep, including the Devil’s Punch Bowl. The Greensand Way footpath begins in the town and stretches over 100 miles to Hamstreet in Kent, taking in many lovely villages and Surrey Hills vistas along the way. The National Trust manages many local sites, such as the tranquil woodland of Swan Barn Farm moments from the high street and Black Down, the highest point in the South Downs. The Sculpture Park in nearby Churt is set in a 10-acre arboretum with pleasant walking trails and stunning artworks on display.

Haslemere benefits from good transport links by road and rail, with regular train services to London Waterloo in under an hour. www. hamptons.co.uk