Why these New Towns could be perfect for your next move: They’re often dismissed as concrete jungles with too many roundabouts, but there are hidden gems – including one just 23 minutes from London with homes going for £350,000

Often dismissed as concrete jungles with little charm and too many roundabouts, the reputation of the UK’s 32 New Towns precedes them.

But a new wave of them could be popping up soon thanks to the Labour government’s plans to boost housebuilding.

Dating back to the 1940s, New Towns were built on areas of undeveloped land and small villages after the Second World War to help overcrowding in cities such as London, Birmingham and Glasgow.

Planners made sure each one had a mix of shops, schools, parks and GP surgeries to keep the residents well served.

Today’s New Towns often offer value for money, good amenities and plenty of green space, according to estate agents. But which of the 32 that span the length of Britain are the best?

We’ve spoken to property experts and local residents, and analysed crime rates, schools, transport links, access to green spaces and amenities, to bring you Britain’s top 16.

1. Stevenage, Hertfordshire

A pioneer of the concept, the former small farming town of Stevenage became the UK’s first post-war new town in 1946, providing homes for 60,000 residents (a significant jump from the existing population of around 6,000.)

Now, Stevenage is a pioneer in other ways. Nicknamed the UK’s Space City, Airbus has worked on many exciting projects from its base here, including a wind sensing satellite and the ExoMars Rosalind Franklin, Europe’s first interplanetary rover vehicle.

Stevenage offers plenty in the way of shopping, restaurants and cafes, thanks to the town’s Westgate Shopping Centre and retail park. And there are some quainter, independent shops and restaurants hidden away in a small section of the Old Town.

Pockets of green space break up the density, with the Fairlands Valley Park and its ponds which are home to a sailing centre and splash play area for children. For history, Knebworth House and its relaxing gardens, is just a short drive out of the town.

Average house price: £350,069

Transport links: Trains to London King’s Cross take 23 minutes and to St Pancras in 28. The A1(M) connects Stevenage to London and the North.

Schools: The Saint John Henry Newman Catholic School (secondary) and Trotts Hill Primary and Nursery School are both state and rated ‘good’ by Ofsted and the Stevenage Education Support Centre is an ‘outstanding’ specialist secondary.

On the market: This three-bedroomed semi-detached home comes with a two bathrooms, a driveway for two cars and a garage. It’s for sale with no onward chain for £420,000.

2. Crawley, Sussex

For people who want the best of all worlds, look no further than Crawley. Halfway between London and the South coast, the town is also a stone’s throw away from Gatwick, making it one of the most accessible of the new towns.

Transport links aside, Crawley has lots to offer. There’s a public ‘pay and play’ golf course at Tilgate Forest and a well-equipped leisure centre with an Olympic-sized swimming pool and athletics track.

There’s plenty of green space thanks to the award-winning 170-acre Buchan Country Park and Ifield Mill Pond and Bewbush Water Gardens.

Lawrence Taylor, partner at independent estate agency Taylor Robinson, says Crawley could be a blueprint for future New Towns.

He has a strong connection with it: his mother moved into a new towns-commissioned house in the 1950s and his grandfather ran a fruit and vegetable shop on the local parade.

‘What sets Crawley apart is its neighbourhood set up,’ Mr Taylor says. ‘It is broken up into 13 different neighbourhoods, each with their own local shopping parades, doctors’ surgeries and dentists, which in the early days proved to be a really good pull for families.

‘There’s loads of green space surrounding and within Crawley new town itself. I think that’s also been part of its success.

‘We’ve seen an influx of Londoners and people moving out of the city because they get better value for money, more green space and is generally a safe environment to bring children up and be within 40 minutes of London.’

He added: ‘When you look at Crawley from an aerial view and how neat and tidy it is and how well planned out the roads are, and the fact it’s a really good environment, it’s a good blueprint for future new towns being built.’

Average house price: £358,118

Transport: Trains to London Victoria take 45 minutes and London Blackfriars can be reached in just under an hour. The M23 provides access to the M25 and the capital and the A23 heads south to the coast with Brighton reached in around 40 minutes.

Schools: The Hazelwick School is an outstanding-rated co-ed secondary, as is the Manor Green Primary School.

On the market: This three-bedroomed family home is in need of some updating but has a sunny garden and is close to the green space of Tilgate Park. It comes chain free and is for sale for £325,000.

3. Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire

Known best for its confusing ‘Magic Roundabout’ (six mini-roundabouts within one larger one), Hemel Hempstead has a lot to offer buyers looking to move to a New Town.

It’s ideal for commuters with access to the M1 and M25 (once you’ve navigated the roundabouts) and fast trains to London in 30 minutes.

There are also regular farmers’ markets and the Old Town Hall hosts theatre, film and comedy nights.

Planners made sure to build plenty of parks amongst the housing estates and there are 20 to choose from across the town, as well as ancient woodland at the Box Moor conservation area, while the Chilterns is also on your doorstep.

Average house price: £428,563

Transport links: The town connects to the M1 for the North and M25 for around London and has regular rail connections to London Euston in 30 minutes.

Schools: St. Clement Danes School, in nearby Berkhamsted, is rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted, while The Hemel Hempstead School is rated ‘good’

On the market: This modern three-bedroomed semi-detached house has off-street parking and a garage. It’s close to local primary schools and is for sale for £440,000.

4. Harlow, Essex

This New Town, just 30 miles from London, is often overlooked for more picturesque Essex locations.

But despite some parts needing regeneration (and there are plans in place for this), Harlow still retains its charm, most notably with the period buildings of the Old Town area.

Harlow has a great Town Park which is home to Pets’ Corner, a small farm with a range of animals that are free to visit.

And there are more than 100 public artworks on display, earning it the title of the world’s first ‘Sculpture Town’ in 2010.

The Water Garden is the main shopping precinct, with a good selection of shops and restaurants. Nearby, Pardon Wood is an ancient forest with woodland trails and three observation hides for spotting wildlife.

Average house price: £346,725

Transport links: Trains from Harlow to London Liverpool Street take around 35 minutes, with direct services to Stratford in 30 minutes. The M11 motorway connects Harlow to London and the north, with easy access to the A414 for nearby towns.

Schools: Harlow has several good schools, including Passmores Academy and St. Mark’s West Essex Catholic School which both hold ‘good’ Ofsted ratings. The Hare Street Community Primary School and Nursery has an ‘outstanding’ rating.

On the market: This impressive, detached period home has three bedrooms, feature fireplace and a spacious driveway. It also features a home office in the garden complete with electricity and underfloor heating. It’s for sale for £440,000.

5. Northampton, Northamptonshire

With its population of 249,093, Northampton has grown from a medieval market settlement to one of England’s biggest towns.

It’s position in the heart of England meant it was a stronghold in the Middle Ages until the Great Fire of Northampton destroyed much of the town.

After being rebuilt, it later became the shoemaking capital of the world – and museums such as the Northampton Museum and Art Gallery reflect the town’s rich history.

In the late 1960s, the town was struggling and was designated a ‘new town’ as part of the third and final wave of the initiative.

In keeping with its fellow new towns, there are plenty of shopping facilities including the Weston Flavell Centre on the outskirts. Northampton is also home to two well-regarded theatres including the Royal and Derngate and The Playhouse.

Abington Park provides playgrounds, boating lakes, and scenic walking paths, while the nearby Delapré Abbey offers a slice of history.

Average house price: £275,949

Transport links: Direct trains arrive at London Euston in 55 minutes, while there are quick connections to Birmingham via the M1 in under an hour and Milton Keynes and Leicester within 30 minutes.

Schools: There are some great schools in the area, with three rated ‘outstanding’: Briar Hill Primary, Northampton School for Boys and Northgate School Academy Trust.

On the market: This detached five-bedroomed home has three bathrooms, a conservatory, wood burner and garage. It’s close to nearby schools and is for sale for £425,000.

6. Hatfield, Hertfordshire

Just 25 minutes from London’s King’s Cross, Hatfield is a gem of a new town with plenty of heritage to offer.

Despite sitting in the shadow of its popular neighbours St Albans and Welwyn City Garden, Hatfield is a good choice for families looking for a town close to London with a mix of old landmarks and new town facilities.

History buffs love Hatfield House, a grand Jacobean-era country house with 40 acres of green space to explore, as well as the Elizabethan Old Palace, which sits within its grounds.

Hatfield House has a lively calendar of activities to interest all ages, including firework displays, summer evening concerts, music festivals, running events and even a beekeeping experience,

Average house price: £385,887

Transport links: The A1 (M) runs around the edge of the town, connecting to London and the Hatfield train station takes commuters into London King’s Cross in 25 minutes and Moorgate in an hour.

Schools: Some great options include the Countess Anne Church of England primary, rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted at its last inspection, as is the Hatfield Community Free School. Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School is an ‘outstanding’ secondary academy in the area.

On the market: A smart semi-detached home, this property has three bedrooms , a family bathroom and master ensuite and parking to the rear. It is close to local schools and is for sale, with no chain, for £440,000.

7. Basildon, Essex

In the heart of Essex, Basildon is a new town is a top choice for commuters to London who want to get more for their money.

While it’s a busy town, it’s close to green spaces such as Langdon Hills Nature Reserve and Norsey Wood, and a day trip to the seaside at Southend-on-Sea is just a 30-minute drive away.

Like all good new towns, it has plenty of amenities. The Eastgate Shopping Centre and The Broadway both offer high street names, independent stores and cafes.

The town also has a popular entertainment complex with cinemas, bowling, and restaurants called Festival Leisure Park.

Average house price: £337,506

Transport links: Basildon connects to London via the A127 in around 40 minutes and Southend in 30 minutes. Basildon Railway Station has direct trains to London Liverpool Street in under 40 minutes.

Schools: Basildon offers a range of well-regarded schools, including Beauchamps High School which is rated ‘‘outstanding by Oftsed, as is the Phoenix Primary School.

On the market: This three bedroom, two bathroom detached home has solar panels, a summer house, a wood burner and a log shed. It’s on the market for £450,000.

8. Bracknell, Berkshire

If you’re looking to keep one foot in the capital but avoid paying London house prices, Bracknell might just be the answer.

This New Town has undergone a major transformation in recent years thanks to a project which ploughed £240million into the town centre and its facilities.

The smart Lexicon shopping centre, developed in 2017, has brought Waitrose, M&S, Wagamama and Gail’s to the town, along with more than 100 designer and high street shops.

There’s also South Hill Park, an 18th-century listed mansion and gardens turned entertainment centre, which has two theatres, a dance studio, and a cinema in its grounds.

The 47-acre green space of The Parks at the south of the town offers woodland, meadows and tennis courts and a community centre.

Another main pull is Bracknell’s proximity to the capital. Commuters can get to Waterloo in under an hour.

Average house price: £428,499

Transport links: Direct trains to London Waterloo in around 50 minutes and quick access to the M3 heading south-west and M4 for the west and Wales.

Schools: Bracknell is home to several top-rated schools, including Ranelagh School which has and ‘outstanding’ rating from Ofsted, and The Brakenhale School, which is rated ‘good’. Meanwhile, Whitegrove and St Joseph’s Catholic school are two ‘good’ primaries in the area.

On the market: This semi-detached house has four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a spacious lounge. It also has a conservatory and utility room and is close to Bracknell town centre. It’s for sale for £550,000.

9. Corby, Northamptonshire

Looking to commute to London and find an affordable family home? Corby could be your answer.

This Northamptonshire New Town, which has an average house price of just £232,000, has often been overlooked in favour of its neighbour Kettering, but with a direct train to St Pancras in 1 hour ten minutes, families are flocking to the area to snap up its affordable properties.

Once a small village, Corby has been dubbed Little Scotland thanks to a large Scottish community which formed with the opening of a Glasgow-owned steelworks in the 1930s.

You can buy haggis at the local butchers and most people have a Scottish-twang to their accent.

And the fact that this New Town has been so welcoming of people from outside the area over the years is one of its selling points.

Jordan Henry, assistant manager of estate agents Simpson West, says as well as the good transport links and affordable housing, it’s the warmness of the community that makes Corby such a good place to live.

‘People are very friendly here, they welcome newcomers with open arms and it has a nice feel.

‘There’s been a lot of growth in Corby over the years, in the 2000s there wasn’t much in the way of facilities beyond the high street. Corby benefited from some investment which developed Willow Place shopping centre, bringing high street names that you would find in a city to the town. It worked wonders for the town and it’s still a really popular amenity.

‘We also have a boating lake and a couple of pockets of woodland and parks around the outskirts.’

Another obvious benefit, Mr Henry says, is the train connection. ‘Over the last few years, we have seen lots of commuters and people moving here from further afield as the cost-of-living pushes people out of cities.

‘There has been a ripple effect with people moving from London pushing prices up and development of infrastructure, but the further out you go the cheaper it tends to be and it’s still one of the more affordable towns in the area. You can get three bed semi is around £230,000 to £240,000.’

Average house price: £232,480

Transport links: Corby offers excellent road links, with the M1 providing a 30-minute drive to Leicester, around 50 minutes to Nottingham, and direct access south to London. Trains from Corby to St Pancras take just over an hour.

Schools: There is an ‘outstanding’ primary school, Corby Primary Academy, as well like Woodnewton School which has a ‘good’ rating, along with Kingswood Secondary Academy.

On the market: This three-bedroomed detached house has a south facing garden, off road parking and a single garage. It’s within walking distance of the well-rated Danesholme Infant School and sister school, Danesholme Junior Academy.

10. Redditch, Worcestershire

Once the heart of Britain’s needle-making industry, Redditch has excellent transport links, including a quick rail connection to Birmingham.

The town is perfect for families, offering excellent schools and ample green spaces, including the beautiful Arrow Valley Country Park.

For things to do, the Kingfisher shopping centre has 100 different stores as well as a children’s play centre and a cinema.

The local Forge Mill Needle Museum tells the story of the town’s historic industry and the ruins of the nearby Bordesley Abbey can also be visited.

Average house prices: £260,965

Transport links: Redditch is well-connected by road and rail, with direct access to the M42 for quick routes to the M5 and M6, and a 30-minute direct train journey to Birmingham.

Schools: St Augustine’s Catholic High School is an ‘outstanding’-rated secondary. Trinity High School is a ‘good’ secondary. Astwood Bank Primary School is well-regarded along with St Stephen’s CofE First School, which is a good option for a faith school for children aged three to nine.

On the market: This three-bedroomed semi-detached home has recently been renovated to a high standard and has a large driveway which can fit six cars and a sunny garden. It sits on the edge of the Pitcher Oak golf course and woods and is within walking distance of the train station. For sale for £349,950.

11. Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

No list about New Towns would be complete without reference to Milton Keynes, possibly the most famous of them all.

Often slated for being a concrete jungle, if you look past the preconceptions, Milton Keynes is a forward-thinking example of a New Town (that’s actually a city.)

With over 5,000 acres of parkland, lakes, and nature reserves, it offers plenty of outdoor activities. Willen Lake and Campbell Park are popular for walking, cycling, and water sports.

After being awarded official city status in 2022 as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, Milton Keynes is now developing its status further as a ‘smart city’.

It has been at the forefront of testing out high-tech initiatives such as driverless pods and grocery delivers via autonomous robots.

One in three jobs in the town is in tech and Milton Keynes is home to several major employers including Deloitte and Network Rail.

The town also has a vibrant cultural scene with art at the MK Gallery, plays at the Milton Keynes Theatre and outdoor gigs at the National Bowl.

Average house price: £358,729

Transport links: Milton Keynes has exceptional transport links, with fast direct trains to London Euston in 35 minutes, and easy access to the M1 motorway for quick drives to Northampton in 20 minutes, Birmingham in 50 minutes, and London in an hour.

Schools: The Webber Independent school is an excellent choice as is the Oakgrove school which a ‘good’ Ofsted rating, and the Premier Academy is an ‘outstanding’-rated primary school.

On the market: This three-bedroomed detached family home occupies a corner plot and is in the catchment area for the sought-after Oakgrove school. It comes with a driveaway and garage and is for sale for offers between £425,000-£435,000.

12. Cwmbran, Wales

Cwmbran translates to ‘Valley of the Crows’ in Welsh, thought to be due to a large presence of the birds near the River Afon Lwyd, which runs through the area.

Built in 1949, it was Wales’ first New Town and was developed to provide opportunities for poor mining communities struggling after the war.

Close to the English border and just on the outskirts of Newport, Cwmbran, has some of Wales’ best countryside on its doorstep, including the Black Mountains.

Cwmbran’s covered shopping precinct is the largest in Wales and a draw for many. The town is well-connected, with direct trains to Cardiff taking around 15 minutes.

Average house price: £222,994

Transport links: The nearby M4 motorway provides easy access to Cardiff and Bristol and direct train services reach Cardiff in just 15 minutes, making it ideal for commuters.

Schools: The Woodlands Community School is a well rated primary as is the Croesyceiliog School. The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff is a prestigious specialized independent school.

On the market: This detached four-bedroomed family home has great views over nearby farmland, two bathrooms and a garage. It is for sale for £300,000

13. Warrington, Cheshire

Conveniently located between Liverpool and Manchester, Warrington is bustling New Town with an industrial past.

One of the more recent developments, its population has grown since 1968 by some 60 per cent to around 165,000.

Its two large parks, Victoria Park and Bank Park, offer valuable green space, and locals can enjoy walks along the banks of the River Mersey which flows through it.

Shopping is well catered for: the Golden Square and Cockhedge shopping centre cover all luxury and high street bases, and the Warrington Market hosts 50 independent traders selling food, drink and gifts.

On the outskirts of Warrington is Walton Hall and Gardens, a country house that is home to an array of family friendly activities, such as a children’s zoo and mini golf. The free Cheshire Food and Drink Festival is also hosted in the grounds every year.

Average house price: £287,194

Transport links: The M62 connects Warrington to Manchester and Liverpool in around 30 minutes, and the M6 links Warrington with the Midlands and the South. Warrington Bank Quay train station travels direct to London Euston in just over two hours.

Schools: St Thomas’ CofE is a ‘good’ primary along with St Augustine’s Catholic Primary School and the King’s Leadership Academy is an ‘outstanding’ secondary school.

On the market: This quaint semi-detached home has high ceilings, three bedrooms and an separate workshop and garage. It’s located close to the River Mersey and is for sale for £330,000.

14. Telford, Shropshire

The leafy town of Telford is proud of its industrial past and has a strong community feel.

Originally called Dawley in 1963 when it merged many villages in the area, the town was renamed Telford in 1968 after the engineer Thomas Telford.

Visitors can wonder at the engineering of the intricate 18th Century Iron Bridge, just outside of the town, which was a world first and can be visited for free.

The town is well located, with the bustle of Birmingham just under an hour away and the quaint market town of Shrewsbury reached in 20 minutes. Its main shopping precinct, the Telford Centre, is popular and has a cinema, ice rink and restaurants.

Families love the award-winning Telford Town Park, with its cycling routes, mini golf and high ropes course. And walkers can take a hike up the nearby hill The Wrekin to enjoy views of the surrounding Shropshire countryside.

Average house price: £223,950

Transport links: Telford is well-connected by road and rail. Shrewsbury can be reached via the M54 in 30 minutes and Birmingham via M54 and M6 in 45 minutes. There are direct trains to both places in 20 minutes for Shrewsbury and around 50 minutes to Birmingham.

Schools: The Thomas Telford School is a well-rated secondary and the Sir Alexander Fleming is a ‘good’ primary along with Millbrook Primary School and Wombridge Primary School

On the market: This pretty semi-detached cottage has three bedrooms, a garage, driveway and exposed beams. Its close to the local Wombridge Primary School and is on the market for £290,000.

15. Cumbernauld, Lanarkshire, Scotland

Cumbernauld is home to one of Britain’s most hated buildings according to a 2005 Channel 4 poll – but don’t let that put you off.

The Brutalist-style Centre Cumbernauld once contained offices, shops and a hotel and was hub for this thriving new town in the 1960s.

Now, the council has grand plans to turn it into a modern, open air shopping centre as part of efforts to restore Cumbernauld to its former glory.

The town, which has an average house price of just under £160,000, benefits from natural Scottish beauty surrounding it, from the 47-acre Cumbernauld House Park to nearby lochs and Campsie Fells, which is a 15-minute drive away.

Average house price: £158,619

Transport links: Cumbernauld offers direct train services to Glasgow in 25 minutes and Stirling in around 30. The M80 provides quick access to both cities, with Glasgow just 20 minutes by car and Stirling 25 minutes away. Edinburgh is around 30 miles to the east, which takes around 40-minute by car.

Schools: Eastfield Primary School is well-rated as is the Greenfaulds High School which were both assessed as ‘good’ at their last inspection.

On the market: This detached family home has four bedrooms, a sunny garden and a double driveway. It’s close to multiple local schools and is for sale for £260,000.

16. Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland

Lying on the outskirts of Edinburgh, this Scottish New Town has copped some unfavourable comparisons to Milton Keynes, thanks to its straight roads and blocks of houses.

But the town, which was developed as overspill housing for Glasgow, has been successful in its 62 years as a new town.

Livingston is a shopper’s delight: home to Scotland’s largest designer outlet, with 80 shops cafes and restaurants and The Centre, which has a further 150 shops and restaurants.

Chris Brown, managing director of Brown and Co Properties, says Livingston is an excellent choice for buyers looking for ‘a bit of everything’.

He says: ‘It’s a collection of “towns within a town” with each area having their own unique identity and features offering something for all to enjoy.

‘All major shops and retailers are available within The Centre alongside some nice walking routes and parks that make it feel a little bit more than just a built-up new town.’

Average property price: £215,013

Schools: Plenty of top performing options: James Young High School is rated ‘very good’ after recent inspections by Education Scotland as is the Catholic secondary St. Margaret’s Academy. Livingston Village Primary School is well regarded as is the Mid Calder Primary School.

Transport links: Livingston has good road links via the M8 which connects to Edinburgh in 15 minutes and Glasgow in around 30. Two train stations, Livingston North and South, also provide easy access to each city taking between 15 to 40 minutes. Edinburgh Airport, with direct flights to London, is a 20-minute drive away.

On the market: This detached four-bedroomed villa has three bathrooms, a driveway and garage. It’s close to Livingston North Station and is on the market for £325,000.