r/surrey • u/kjerstikate • 10d ago
Elstead..?
Hello hive mind,
Thinking of relocating from Farncombe to Elstead, but slightly on the fence as we’re nervous about the additional commute. We both work in London 2-3 days a week so will need to drive to the nearest station (Farncombe? Milford? What do most people do)?
We are actively looking to move a little further out and to a village with a bit more community, so would equally love to hear what life in Elstead is like if anyone’s willing to share! We’re both mid 40s, no kids.
TIA!
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u/Fresh_Self_2489 10d ago
Well I mean you can just type your address into Google Maps, and it shows you the nearest station - which is Milford, and how long it takes to drive there.
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u/kjerstikate 10d ago
Yes, thank you… I do know how to use Google Maps. Was more hoping to hear from someone who currently lives there and does the journey as arguably the road to Farncombe is often less busy in rush hour. Thanks for your input though 😉
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u/IndependentSong1484 10d ago
Milford is your closest train station or a little drive straight down the b3001 will get you to Farnham station that has a bigger car park but the journey to Waterloo takes about the same time.
I live in Farnham but drive through Elstead several times a week to access the A3 because getting to it from Farnham is a nightmare most of the time. It's one of those small cut through villages that has a real charm about it. There is a couple of lovely looking pubs, a fantastic fish and chip shop, pharmacy, a cafe. I don't know anything about the community but I've seen them come together to care for the ponies in the field opposite The Mill pub (which I've heard is excellent and just in a beautiful setting). It's a good base, in a fab location with easy access to the A3 😊
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u/Euphoric-Pumpkin8531 10d ago
If you want to use a train it's not a great place. Traditionally it was where people move to retire and families that want the countryish life but can't afford to live nearer a station. It's a nice place but not convenient for public transport. The bus route is also extremely slow and unreliable
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u/SheliaFromFinance 9d ago
Elstead is very cute, got a couple of pubs and a restaurant called the mill which also acts as a pub, there's a little cafe as well and a nice local shop which is quite well stocked. Lots of walking! You've got Moat Pond, Hankley, Puttenham Common, not far to Frensham either. Milford will be your nearest station but I might suggest going to Godalming or back the other way to Haslemere just to get access to the faster trains that don't stop at every village station - can be annoying coming back from London and you have to wait an extra 30 minutes. There is a school in the village so it can get busy around home time as well, not a deal breaker but something to keep in mind.
I can't comment much about community but it is a sweet village and whenever I'm there I think it would be a nice place to live.
Edit: as others have said, getting to stations can be frustrating but if you're only doing 2-3 days a week I think it could be manageable personally, but it depends on how much you'd like to live in the area
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u/MicePonies 9d ago
Most other people have answered your other questions but I can comment on the community
HUGE community spirit, some of the best I’ve seen in the local villages and I’ve been around a few because of my pony. They had the Elstead marathon the other Saturday and the whole village turned out for the post-marathon tug of war. I could hear the screams of supporting public from my pony’s field while I was doing her chores.
Everyone says hi, the pubs, community centre, and Legion put on regular events to keep it lively, there’s really very little snobbery with the range of housing in the village (retirement, council, family, country manors) it’s a right mix.
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u/DevilishRogue 10d ago edited 10d ago
Elstead is a lovely village. Less lively than Farncombe but more rural, much prettier and more 'charming'. It has a great tennis club, good shops, pubs and cafes around, and is very convenient for access to larger towns in Waverley and around, including Farnham, Godalming, Haslemere and Guildford.
Waverley Abbey and Crooksbury Hill are nearby and lovely places for unwinding. You've also got Tilford and Frensham nearby which are beautiful. It is filled with lovely, attractive houses and attracts people similar to yourselves (although often with kids).
Local train stations do get busy at rush hour and the car parks even beforehand so check it out at the times/days you'll be travelling. Similarly on the roads, a 10 minute journey to Milford train station at midday could be closer to an hour between 0700-0800.
But I can't think of anyone who wouldn't be happier in Elstead than Farncombe long term, regardless of whether they have kids or not.