The South East remains one of the most popular areas in England for new home construction. New developments are springing up all the time. If you’re looking for a fresh start in a new home, then there’s no better place to be than in the South East. To get you started, let’s take a look at some of the best new homes in South East England.
The region’s rolling hills, picturesque villages and market towns never lose their appeal. Meanwhile, excellent commuter links from most areas into London make it a popular choice for commuters.
If you’re looking for a new home in this part of England, there are plenty of options to choose from.
New homes in South East England: 10 highest-rated developments on HomeViewsFor those looking to get on the property ladder, or for those who just want a great place to live, here are 10 of the most popular new build developments in South East England.
*PLEASE NOTE these rankings take into account how recently reviews have been submitted, so may not match the overall star ratings shown. More recent reviews are given a greater weighting to reflect current building performance.
Flying into our top 10 rankings for the first time, and straight to top spot in the latest update, is The Almere. This rental development by Native is located in the heart of Milton Keynes and offers a choice of one, two and three-bedroom apartments. The development is pet-friendly and Milton Keynes’ mainline station is just a 12-minute walk away, making it an ideal choice for commuters.
Read reviews and details of The Almere, MK9
Arriving in second place in our top listings for the South East of England, Hove Gardens is a boutique collection of studio, one, two and three-bedroom rental apartments. Close to Hove Station, this BTR development benefits from being just a short stroll from the sea. Additionally, Hove Gardens boasts sky terraces, courtyard gardens, work and social spaces and an abundance of perks from 24/7 concierge to flexible contracts.
Read reviews and details of Hove Gardens, BN3
A secon Brighton and Hove development to make the top 3, York & Elder is a BTR development sandwiched between the South Downs and the sea. York & Elder offers studio, one two or three-bedroom apartments. Residents benefit from pet friendly apartments, flexible contracts, extra storage space and private terraces. Additionally, the apartments can be furnished or unfurnished, or easily adaptable for accessibility. There is also an on-site concierge and maintenance team on hand 24/7, for whatever you may need, from taking in parcels to planning events to help you get to know your neighbours.
Read reviews and details of York & Elder, BN1
In fourth places it’s over to Reading for Ebb & Flow, a rental development from Native. The scheme offers a collection of Studio, one, two and three-bedroom apartments in the heart of Reading. All apartments have spacious kitchens, enhanced floor to ceiling height, and bespoke furniture. As well as this, residents benefit from a 24hr support team, wellness classes and community events. Private social and co-working spaces are also included.
Read reviews and details of Ebb & Flow, RG1
Woking’s The Marches takes fifth place in the South East. The Marches offers studios, one and two bedroom apartments to rent in the heart of Woking. In addition, there a lots of resident amenities with a 24/7 onsite team and co-working spaces, terrace gardens as well as inclusive Wi-Fi and resident events. Likewise, it is pet-friendly.
Read reviews and details of The Marches, GU21
In sixth place for the South East is Howard Court. The development offers a variety of studio to two-bedroom apartments to rent. Located in High Wycombe, the development also consists of a landscaped courtyard, a concierge and a pet friendly policy. The development is well connected with High Wycombe station within walking distance, which will take commuters into central London in only 26 minutes.
Read reviews and details of Howard Court, HP11
Taking seventh place is The Kell, located in Gillingham, Kent. The Kell is a Build to Rent development managed by Way of Life, offering 192 new apartments with a mix of one, two and three bedroom apartments. It’s a pet-friendly development and residents have access to an onsite team with 24/7 CCTV security. Reviewers say that they love the views over the Chatham Docks.
Read reviews and details of The Kell, ME4
Fizzy Epsom KT19 is a contemporary development, managed by Greystar, located in a leafy Surrey market town. Made up of a collection of one and two-bedroom apartments, the complex is handily located next to Epsom train station. Also, the development sits an easy walk from Epsom’s main high street. Read reviews and details of Fizzy Epsom, KT19
Taking ninth place in the South East is Berkshire House by Essential Living. The development provides 68 residential units, with a range of studios as well as one and two-bedroom apartments. Additionally, Berkshire House has a central location on Maidenhead High Street. As such it is close to Maidenhead station and just a short drive from the historical town of Windsor, which hugs the River Thames.
Read reviews and details of Berkshire House, SL6
Kooky Redhill is a collection of brand-new boutique apartments in the heart of town, just a 2-minute walk from Redhill station for a quick 35-minute journey to central London. Gatwick Airport is only an 8-minute ride away – great for work or a much needed holiday. Stylishly furnished with private balconies, the apartments are pet friendly, […] Read reviews and details of Kooky Redhill, RH1
11th place goes to L&Q at Huntley Wharf, which is a collection of riverside 1 and 2-bedroom Shared Ownership apartments and duplex apartments in the prospering town of Reading. Once fully complete, the development will compliment the transformation of Reading as an urban hub, providing contemporary riverside apartments to this evolving town. Huntley Wharf will provide a new destination for central Reading featuring a central riverside square with proposed local amenities such as a café, restaurant, a local store, gym, nursery and landscaped open spaces along the river. The apartments will provide a desirable specification, making it the perfect space for modern day living.
Read reviews and details of L&Q at Huntley Wharf, RG1
Sitting in 12th place, Primrose Crescent is a small development of new homes set in the Buckinghamshire community of Wingrave, offering the ideal blend of semi-rural life in the Aylesbury Vale, combined with the convenience of easily accessible local towns and connectivity for commuting by road or rail. The development is a collection of 3 to 5 bedroom homes homes.
Read reviews and details of Primrose Crescent, HP22
The Paperyard is located in the centre of Horsham. The development comprises of one and two bedroom apartments. This location not only boasts fantastic shopping, dining and entertainment facilities but excellent transport links. Horsham train station is a few minutes’ walk with trains to London in under 50 minutes, whilst both Gatwick Airport and Brighton […] Read reviews and details of The Paperyard, RH12
The Blockhouse is situated in the heart of Brighton, with 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments and 3 bedroom townhouses available to rent. With flexible tenancies, the option of furnished or unfurnished and a variety of homes and layouts available, renting at The Blockhouse gives you the choice and control to live the way you […] Read reviews and details of The Blockhouse, BN1
Enigma Square boasts brand new apartments fitted with stylish interiors, integrated white goods and excellent storage. Based in the heart of Milton Keynes, residents will also benefit from a range of on-site amenities such as co-working spaces, residents lounge and outdoor terrace. Read reviews and details of Enigma Square, MK9
Gravity Co Royal Heights is home to 53 brand new studio, 1 bed, 2 bed and penthouse apartments. Each apartment comes fully furnished with high spec furniture and kitchen appliances. Opened in June 2022, each apartment is brand new with a modern design – perfect for working professionals and students alike. Apartment size does vary […] Read reviews and details of Gravity Co Royal Heights, RG1
Solstice Apartments, by Grainger, comprises of one and two bedroom apartments located in Milton Keynes. Residents here benefit from on-site management, 24-hour fitness area, residents’ lounge and a rooftop terrace. As well as this, Solstice Apartments is within walking distance to the dining, cultural and shopping attractions within Milton Keynes. Read reviews and details of Solstice Apartments, MK9
Kooky Staines-Upon-Thames provide 70 rental units of a wider London Square development. The 70 units comprise of one and two bedroom apartments and 35 parking spaces. Residents benefit from a combination of public transport links to Central London, close proximity to Heathrow Airport. Read reviews and details of Kooky Staines-Upon-Thames, TW18
House prices in South East EnglandAt the time of writing (August 2024), The average house price in the region stands at £475,000. This is according to the latest figures from the UK property website Rightmove.
Because of its popularity, the South East continues to outperform its neighbours. Homes here cost more than the South West (£363,000) and West Midlands (£278,000). However, they are still cheaper than London (£705,000).
Within the South East there’s also a lot of price variance. Areas like Surrey (£624,000) cost twice as much as more rural areas like the Isle Of Wight (£315,000). The region’s proximity to London makes it an ideal choice for commuters. While this drives prices up, there are still affordable options within reach of the capital. Average prices in Kent, for example, stand at £426,000.
What counts as South East England?
Officially, South East England is made up of the ceremonial counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire and Surrey. It has a population of just over 14 million and covers an area of around 30,000 square kilometres. However, many people also include parts of neighbouring counties in their definition of South East England, such as parts of Berkshire and North Hampshire, the Medway Towns in Kent, and the Crawley area in West Sussex.
Overview of South East England
The South East offers some fantastic areas to live, with great schools, low crime rates and plenty of local amenities. It’s also a haven for nature-based beauty from the coast to the national parks of The Weald.
Counties around London provide easy access to the nation’s cultural and commercial heart. Kent, one of the prettiest counties in the country, offers rolling fields, charming coastal towns and the historic cathedral city of Canterbury. Then the southern reaches of the region offer their own cultural and scenic treasures, not to mention dynamic cities like Brighton and Southampton.
Why live in South East England?
There are many reasons why people choose to live in South East England. Some of the key reasons include the following:
The region has a wealth of history and culture, offering plenty of attractions and activities for residents to enjoy. From ancient castles and Roman ruins to lively cities and charming villages, there is something for everyone in South East England.
The region is also home to some of the UK’s most famous landmarks, including Windsor Castle, Canterbury Cathedral and Brighton Pier. Plus, there are plenty of beautiful countryside areas to explore, such as the North Downs and the South Downs.
South East England is well-connected, with excellent transport links to other parts of the country. The region’s airports offer flights to destinations all over the world, and there are also plenty of trains and buses linking South East England with the rest of the UK.
We hope our top 10 list of new homes in South East England provides a better sense of the region. Don’t forget to check back for updates to this list, as new reviews are being added all the time. Check out our specific area guides if any of the listings catch your eye.
HomeViews is the only independent review platform for residential developments in the UK. Prospective buyers and tenants use it to make an informed decision on where to live based on insights from carefully verified resident reviews. Part of Rightmove since February 2024, we’re working with developers, house builders, operators, housing associations and the Government to give residents a voice, recognise high performers and to help improve standards across the industry.
written byJan MoysA residential property expert with over 15 years’ experience creating content… Read all
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