The appeal of escaping the hustle and bustle of London has been steadily increasing, particularly as the cost of living in the capital continues to rise. Among the myriad of picturesque commuter villages available, one that's a mere 33-minute train journey from a key London station was named among the best places to live back in 2024.

Property experts nationwide shared their insights with the Daily Mail for their compiled list of the UK's 30 most coveted villages, and unsurprisingly, Virginia Water, famed for its stunning lake, was included in the list. This commuter haven is home to approximately 6,000 locals, but -be advised- if you're thinking of starting a property search, Rightmove data reveals that over the past year, houses in Virginia Water have commanded an average price of £1.8 million. In comparison, London's average house price stands at £687K, reports MyLondon.

Located in northern Surrey, the village is named after the magnificent Virginia Water Lake which was created as an artificial reservoir in the 18th century.

The lake was likely given its title after a pre-existing natural stream, which was potentially named after Queen Elizabeth I (the "Virgin Queen").

Encircled by a lush forest, and featuring a waterfall known as The Cascade, the lake sits in Windsor Great Park, a Grade I listed Royal Park.

Constructed in 1752 and taking nearly forty years to complete, the lake has even featured in films, serving as the backdrop for lakeside scenes in the Harry Potter series. Additionally, there are several other points of interest scattered around Windsor Great Park.

Among these are an equestrian statue of George III, an obelisk memorial dedicated to the Duke of Cumberland, the Savill Garden, and the Long Walk - a tree-lined avenue extending 2.64 miles straight to Windsor Castle.

The village is known for its famous past and present residents, including Sir Bruce Forsyth, Sir Cliff Richard, Sir Elton John, and Sarah Ferguson, who have all resided in Virginia Water at some point.

The Wentworth Golf Club, which hosts the BMW PGA Championship, is another significant site in the village.

Travelling to London from Virginia Water is simple, with frequent direct trains on South Western Railway services reaching Clapham Junction in just 33 minutes. From there, it's a short trip to Victoria, or you can take a direct train to Waterloo in 41 minutes.