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 HomeViews
For 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.
In second 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.
Taking third 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.
Taking fourth 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.
A recent newcomer that’s already attracting lots of positive reviews, Fontwell Meadows is nestled in the green landscape of West Sussex, just west of Arundel. Also, it is just over six miles from the cathedral city of Chichester. Close to the south coast, residents in this countryside village can enjoy the developments’ own orchard, allotments, community building and sports courts. Additionally, residents benefit from a traditional pub, local stores nearby and good connections to Bognor Regis, Chichester, Brighton and Portsmouth.
Sliding into sixth place is Elmsbrook, a joint venture between FABRICA and Crest Nicholson. Elmsbrook is eco-town: as part of the North West Bicester Masterplan, 40% of the final development will be devoted to green spaces including allotments, play areas, sports and recreational facilities, a country park and acres of interconnecting cycle and walking paths.
Every home has been designed with to minimise waste and improve efficiency by keeping homes naturally cool during the summer and warm during the winter, with energy-efficient doors and cavity and roof insulation to restrict heat loss. Homes at Elmsbrook use less electricity than the average Bicester home. Heating and hot water come from the district’s heat and power system, while each house has rooftop solar panels to generate electricity.
St. Andrews Park takes the number seven spot for the South East. The development is situated in the village of Halling in the North Downs in the northern part of Kent. The site is located next to a large azure blue lake and set against the backdrop of chalk cliffs, looking down to the River Medway and across the Medway valley. Furthermore, there is a church, a Post Office, a convenience store and a youth centre nearby.
In eighth, Westvale Park is a collection of 2, 3 & 4 bed homes. Located in a thriving community with lots of green space, it’s ideal for families. One resident recently described it as an “ecological wonderland”. As well as this, it has great connections to central London and Gatwick Airport.
Ninth 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.
Last but certainly not least in tenth 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.
At the time of writing (August 2023), The average house price in the region stands at £484,000. This is according to the latest figures from the UK property website Zoopla.
Because of its popularity, the South East continues to outperform its neighbours. Homes here cost more than the East of England (£412,000), South West (£383,000) and West Midlands (£278,000). However, they are still cheaper than London (£723,000).
Within the South East there’s also a lot of price variance. Areas like Surrey (£668,000) cost more than twice as much as more rural areas like the Isle Of Wight (£321,000). 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 £415,000.
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.
South East England is the third-largest of the official regions of England by area, and has the highest population of all the regions. Read more about South East England
HomeViews provides verified resident reviews of the UK’s housing developments. We’re working with developers, house builders, operators, housing associations and the Government to recognise high performers and help improve standards in the built environment.
