Village life carries huge appeal for those who dream of the gentle rhythm of a close-knit community, a tidy front garden and the feeling that the bustle of the wider world is somewhere else.
But for many families, this rural dream is also shaped by the pull of some of the country’s best state schools, in these desirable catchment areas.
‘Given the soaring demand for top-rated schools across the UK, it’s no surprise that many home-buyers – whether families raising young children or those planning for the future – prioritise proximity to excellent schools when making the big decision,’ says Simon Halfhide, a sales and marketing director for Croudace Homes, a housing development company in the South East. ‘So much so, that they are often willing to pay the additional premium, which is around 2.8 per cent.’
Nick Leeming, chairman at Jackson-Stops, says access to high-performing schools is a major factor driving demand in the family homes market. ‘With Ofsted preparing to revamp its evaluation system and VAT now being added to private school fees, parents planning to move in the coming years will be reassessing which areas to target – or avoid,’ he says. ‘Competition for homes within the catchment areas of top schools has always been fierce, but it’s poised to become even more intense in the years ahead.’
So where can you find Britain’s most sought-after ‘catchment villages’, with the promise of quality state education for your children, while you enjoy the ‘good life’. We asked estate agents, spoke to property experts, and trawled good school guides and league tables to bring you a list of Britain’s most idyllic catchment areas.
1. MARLOW BOTTOM, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
Lying just five miles north of the Buckinghamshire market town of Marlow, the village of Marlow Bottom is the commuter dream – with a strong community spirit, local shops, and swift connections into London, all of which framed by the natural beauty of the Chiltern Hills. But it’s the access to highly regarded schools that makes this spot especially appealing, says Hayley Adshead of Stacks Property Search.
‘Marlow Bottom has its own highly rated Burford School, and the immediate area punches well above its weight for primaries, with plenty of state options in Marlow itself,’ she says.
Secondary choices are equally strong, including the state-funded Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School, while nearby Beaconsfield boasts top-ten grammar schools, including Dr Challoner’s and Beaconsfield High.
2. GOUDHURST, KENT
Located about 12 miles south of Maidstone in the Kentish Weald, this pretty village ‘ticks all the boxes for perfect village life,’ says Claire Carter, country house associate director at John D Wood & Co. ‘It has a wonderful sense of community, with one of the top GP practices in the country, excellent local shops like the much-loved Taywell Farmshop, and even a petrol station where someone still comes out to fill your car.’
As for the draw for parents? Goudhurst sits within the catchment area for Cranbrook School, one of only seven state boarding grammar schools in England, making it highly sought after.
3. MAENCLOCHOG, PEMBROKESHIRE
This charming Pembrokeshire village is loosely clustered around a large green, and overlooked by the 18th-century St Mary’s Church. Village life plays out in a sociable pub, shop, and busy café – plus a hall that hosts youth clubs and yoga classes.
As for schools, the well-regarded Welsh-language primary Ysgol Gymunedol Maenclochog, is nearby, as is Ysgol Bro Preseli, the Welsh-medium secondary – one of the top five state schools in Wales, according to The Sunday Times Parent Power guide.
‘Maenclochog is a lovely friendly village set in the stunning Preseli mountains,’ says Carol Peet, owner of West Wales Property Finder. ‘It is the perfect place for family life, with a great primary school in the village; it is within a short drive of the excellent Steiner school and is within the catchment area of one of the very best secondary schools in Wales.’
4. ST MARGARETS, SOUTH WEST LONDON
This riverside village curves along the Thames and lies within walking distance of Richmond and Twickenham. It also hosts one of London’s best secondaries, Orleans Park, a co-educational school with academy status.
‘This OFSTED “outstanding” school consistently achieves incredible results, and was named in The Times as one of the top state schools,’ says Rachel Watts, of Antony Roberts estate agents. Linked Orleans Primary is equally popular, alongside Deer Park Primary, Waldegrave School, St Stephen’s Primary and St Mary’s C of E Primary.
‘St Margarets itself offers cafés, pubs, and green spaces,’ adds Ms Watts, ‘which makes it a popular choice for families relocating from central London or abroad to secure a school place.’
5. WITHAM-ON-THE-HILL, LINCOLNSHIRE
‘This Lincolnshire village is small but it punches above its weight in terms of family appeal,’ says Edward Brassey, from estate agents Strutt & Parker.
‘At its heart is a church, the Six Bells pub, and a large village green. On its outskirts, there’s Bowthorpe Park Farm, with its farm shop selling home-grown produce and family-friendly events such as lambing days and Open Farm Sunday.
Mr Brassey adds: ‘What really draws in families is its proximity to Bourne Grammar School – one of the county’s most sought-after – just four miles away. On this side of the A1, parents are always keen to live as close as possible, knowing the catchment boundary shifts from year to year.’
6. CHURCH CROOKHAM, HAMPSHIRE
Located on the outskirts of Fleet, this village sits within the catchment of 16 primary schools and three secondaries. The independent St Nicholas School is just ten minutes away, making it a major draw for parents.
‘Church Crookham has long been considered one of Hampshire’s most family-friendly villages,’ says Ben Annetts, sales and marketing director at Berkeley. ‘Being within a strong school catchment area is a key consideration for many parents looking to move, and Church Crookham offers both choice and quality when it comes to education options.’
The village has plenty of charm too: a country pub, community allotments, countryside walks and a variety of housing, including new Berkeley Homes at Hareshill.
7. BOURTON-ON-THE-WATER, GLOUCESTERSHIRE
Nicknamed ‘the Venice of the Cotswolds,’ this honey-stone village is famed for its bridges over the River Windrush and lively high street. It also sits within the catchment of The Cotswold School, which was rated Outstanding by Ofsted in its most recent inspection.
‘Education in the Cotswolds is a real asset,’ says Fergus Mitchell, founder of the Cotswold Letting Agency. ‘It’s that balance – strong schools with excellent reputations set against communities that still feel authentic – that makes the area so compelling.’
8. HISTON & IMPINGTON, CAMBRIDGESHIRE
Just four miles north of Cambridge, villages Histon and Impington have grown together into a thriving hub. They combine chocolate-box cottages and leafy lanes with a wealth of amenities – yet the A14 is all that separates the tranquil surroundings and thatched cottages from the bustle of Cambridge.
A highlight is Impington Village College, an acclaimed school offering the International Baccalaureate, a distinctive alternative to traditional A Levels. Meanwhile, the proximity to Cambridge University is probably an additional draw for aspirant parents, who may dream their children will one day number amongst its students.
9. LYDIATE, NORTH LIVERPOOL
This village benefits from a cluster of high-performing primary and secondary schools in the north Liverpool catchment area, says Wirral-based estate agent Liam Gretton. ‘The area has a high demand from families seeking access to Liverpool and reputable local schooling.’
Yet Lydiate also enjoys all of the benefits of village life, including the Lydiate Village Centre, which hosts everything from art groups to table tennis, as well as Lydiate Hall Farm Shop, offering local produce. Lovers of the outdoors can enjoy the Tudor ruin Lydiate Hall, and nearby remains of 16th-century St Catherine’s Chapel – splendid places to walk and reflect.
10. EARSDON, NORTH TYNESIDE
One of the oldest villages in the region, Earsdon, which sits on the border of Northumberland, is steeped in history; it is home to the 12th-century St Alban’s Church, one of the oldest churches in the region. There’s a village hall, a pub surrounded by beautiful countryside, as well as excellent walking and cycling routes in the area. However, it is also a draw for those with an eye on a top school: local favourite Whitley Bay High has retained its ‘Outstanding’ rating since 2013, with strong results and a reputation for excellent pastoral care.
11. HALE, GREATER MANCHESTER
Hale village has long been a favourite with the northern glitterati and Premier League footballers, thanks to its smart boutiques, leafy streets and generously sized family homes. It also boasts excellent schooling, including Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, which has academy status, as well as nearby Cheadle Hulme High, which has been rated Outstanding in all areas by Ofsted. For those with deeper pockets, the village is within easy reach of some of the country’s most prestigious independents, including the world-renowned Manchester Grammar School.
12. SHOTTERY, WARWICKSHIRE
Home to Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, where Shakespeare’s wife was born, Shottery is a mile from Stratford-upon-Avon town centre, and offers a tranquil atmosphere and gorgeous surrounding countryside. But aside from charming, tree-lined streets and historic homes, another pull to Shottery is Stratford Girls’ Grammar, rated outstanding, and considered Warwickshire’s top school for girls. Indeed, with strong results, historic buildings and extensive extracurriculars, Stratford Girls has a private-school feel.
13. SLAD, GLOUCESTERSHIRE
Located around two miles from Stroud, Slad village is famed as Laurie Lee’s final resting place and the setting of the author’s most famous work, Cider with Rosie – and it certainly delivers as a place of genteel charm.
Nearby grammars include Marling School, Stroud High, Pate’s Grammar School, Sir Thomas Rich’s, Ribston Hall and The Crypt. ‘Families frequently relocate to secure catchment eligibility,’ says Craig Fuller, of Craig Fuller Property. ‘Slad offers both educational opportunity and idyllic countryside living.’
14. DINAS POWYS, VALE OF GLAMORGAN
Just a few miles from Cardiff, this large Glamorgan village blends charm and community spirit, with traditional pubs, cosy cafés, and a welcoming village green. Beyond its tree-lined lanes and stone cottages, there’s also Cowbridge Comprehensive, crowned Wales’s best state secondary by The Times Parent Power guide in 2024.
15. RIPPONDEN, WEST YORKSHIRE
With its quaint streets and traditional stone buildings, Ripponden is a classic Yorkshire village – not least since it is home to an array of independent shops, cosy pubs and eateries, all set against the backdrop of the stunning West Yorkshire countryside. Equally desirable, however, is its proximity to outstanding schools.
‘Parents are drawn here not only for the education, but for the safe streets, thriving sports clubs and countryside lifestyle,’ says Ben Waites of estate agents Charnock Bates.
16 CULTS, ABERDEEN
This affluent, historic, village-like suburb on the western edge of Aberdeen is hallmarked by granite houses, green spaces and proximity to the River Dee – as well as the scenic Royal Deeside countryside. It’s also in the catchment for Cults Academy, an Aberdeen City Council secondary school considered to be one of the best in Scotland.
17. REDBOURN, HERTFORDSHIRE
Securing an address in or around Redbourn gives families access to some of the strongest schools in the county, which is why the catchment is so fiercely protected, says Kyle Dunn of the Commercial Mortgage Guide.
‘In fact, families will often move years in to ensure they are in the right area before applications open. It’s this reputation for academic strength that really sets Redbourn apart, and explains why it’s regularly highlighted as one of the best places for education in England and Wales,’ he says.
18. SONNING, BERKSHIRE
Once home to George Clooney, Sonning is a scenic riverside village. Indeed, author Jerome K. Jerome described Sonning in his book Three Men In A Boat as the most ‘fairy-like little nook on the whole river.’
Edward Heaton of Heaton & Partners, however, notes that the highly regarded Reading School makes Sonning particularly attractive to families – though competition remains fierce. He cautions: ‘Don’t expect living in catchment to assure your child a place, as the school is still massively oversubscribed.’
19. HERNHILL, KENT
‘Hernhill is the sort of village where the school run feels like a community event,’ says Edward Church of Strutt & Parker. Its outstanding primary sits at the centre, and Canterbury’s grammar schools are also within reach. Local highlights include the Red Lion pub, Mount Ephraim House and charming annual fetes.
20. EAGLESHAM, EAST RENFREWSHIRE
Just ten miles from Glasgow, Eaglesham was designated Scotland’s first Conservation Village in the 1960s. The village is laid out around the Orry, a broad ribbon of common green that runs through its centre, providing a distinctive character and strong sense of heritage. Families are also drawn here for the schools: Mearns Castle High School, in nearby Newton Mearns, is East Renfrewshire’s top-performing state secondary. In 2024 it ranked second in Scotland, with around 80 per cent of pupils achieving the gold standard of five or more Highers.
21. CHRISTLETON, CHESTER
On the outskirts of Chester, Christleton has all the hallmarks of a classic English village. At its heart lies a green with an historic water pump, facing the 15th-century St James’ Church, while a much-loved duck pond – affectionately called The Pit by locals – adds to its charm.
Recently named one of the best places to live in the UK by the Sunday Times, Christleton also stands out for its education. The village is home to two Outstanding-rated schools, Christleton Primary and Christleton High. As estate agent Liam Gretton puts it: ‘Christleton pairs exceptional schooling with historical charm, community spirit, and access to excellent amenities and transport links.’
22. LOWER HESWALL, THE WIRRAL
With its narrow lanes and leafy footpaths meandering down to the Dee Estuary, Lower Heswall is the historic heart of Heswall. A village green, old sandstone buildings, and a scattering of pubs and independent shops give it both charm and character, slow-paced yet welcoming.
‘It’s popular with those who want the peace of country living while staying within easy reach of Liverpool,’ says estate agent Liam Gretton. Schools add further appeal: ‘St Peter’s CofE sits at the centre of the village, and with its track record of Outstanding results, has a reputation that draws families to the area—making Lower Heswall particularly desirable for those prioritising primary education excellence.’
23. GREAT MISSENDEN, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
A winning combination of cute shops, deep valleys, old churches and – famously – the Roald Dahl Museum, make this village an idyllic place for families to live. Great Missenden also offers highly sought-after schools, including Prestwood Infant School, Little Kingshill Combined School and secondary school, The Misbourne.
24. ELVINGTON, NORTH YORKSHIRE
Located to the south-east of York, this village is something of a hidden gem. With its close-knit community, it offers all the hallmarks of traditional village life, including a welcoming village hall, a mobile library and local shop. But families are also drawn here by the fact that the village lies within the catchment area for Fulford School – recently named The Sunday Times Comprehensive Secondary School of the North 2025. As a heavily oversubscribed 11–18 mixed comprehensive, Fulford enjoys an excellent reputation. It’s little wonder that many parents choose to move here in the hope of securing a place for their children.
