Relocation

Egham is a town in the Runnymede borough of Surrey, in the south-east of England. It is part of the London commuter belt and Greater London Urban Area and has its own railway station. Egham predates 666AD when Chertsey Abbey was founded with lands which included that of Ecga’s Ham, from which the name Egham derives. Egham appears in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Egeham. It was held by Chertsey Abbey and rendered one of the largest sums in Surrey to its feudal overlords per year.

The Magna Carta was sealed at nearby Runnymede in 1215, and is commemorated by a memorial, built in 1957 by the American Bar Association, at the foot of Cooper’s Hill. A Sculpture portraying King John and Baron Fitzwalter in the act of sealing the Magna Carta is also in Church Road in the centre of town.

During World War II, American author Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss was briefly stationed in Egham as part of his work on the propaganda film Your Job in Germany.

Egham town centre is approx 2 miles from the school with good transport links – good bus services, rail and motorway. There is also a school bus that takes teachers from the school to and from the Egham Train Station every day. Egham has a selection of pubs and restaurants for a evening along with aLeisure Centre for health and fitness classes.

With a host of treasures right on its doorstep, Englefield Green certainly has plenty to recommend it. With a beautiful, unspoilt green in the centre of the village, cricket pitch and a small playground for the younger children to enjoy. Every June, one of the biggest fairs in Surrey is held on the green, with all the traditional delights.

The character of Englefield Green has changed over the years from a quiet, sleepy village into a rather more lively sort of a place, largely due to the presence of students from nearby Royal Holloway, University of London. Founded in 1879 by a Victorian philanthropist, Thomas Holloway, as a women-only college, it was officially opened by Queen Victoria in 1886.The design of the striking, red brick main building, known as Founders, was inspired by the Chateau de Chambord in the Loire Valley.

One of Britains greatest ornamental gardens, Savill Garden right next door is well worth a visit. The shop has a wide range of giftware, stationery and books, as well as plants.

At the top of the hill in Englefield Green, the Air Forces Memorial commemorates all Commonwealth air force personnel killed in World War II. The memorial is administered by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and is freely open to the public year-round.

Englefield Green is approximately one mile from the school and has a couple of village shops, a florist, a bakery and an Italian restaurant in the village, alongs with a couple of nice pubs and a chemist. Englefield Green is half way between the school and Egham. Housing can vary but most are either flats or terraced housing.

Virginia Water is a small town, approx 2 miles from the school. It is home to the Wentworth Estate and Golf Club. The town takes its name from the nearby lake created from a body of water of the same name and may well be named after Elizabeth, the Virgin Queen.

Virginia Water Lake was first dammed and flooded in 1753 and until the creation of the great reservoirs, it was the largest man-made body of water in the British Isles. Take a trip to the south bank and discover an ornamental cascade from the 18th Century, and the Leptis Magna Ruins, a ‘Roman temple’ built from columns and lintels brought from the ancient city of Leptis Magna in the early 19th Century.

The shores of the lake have been also been used for lakeside scenes in the Harry Potter films and for the boat scenes in Robin Hood.

The majority of the town’s houses are large detached homes situated on the private Wentworth Estate, although more affordable flats can be found nearer the station.The Ryder Cup was first played at the Wentworth Gold Club and it is home to the headquarters of the PGA European Tour. Sarah, Duchess of York is a former royal resident and many entertainment personalities have/have had homes on the estate including Sir Elton John, Cliff Richard, Ex-formula 1 team owner Eddie Jordan and Sir Bruce Forsyth. Golfers include Sir Nick Faldo, Sam Torrance, Sandy Lyle and Ernie Els.

Virginia Water is close to the M25, M4 and M3 motorways, has a four track railway station and Heathrow Airport is located four miles to the north-east. The town has two rows of shops, including a bakery, chemist, wine bar, grocery store and Library.

Crowned by Windsor Castle – the largest inhabited castle in the world and the Queen’s favourite weekend home – and linked by the River Thames, the Royal Borough has a rich mix of history, culture, heritage and fun making it one of South East England’s loveliest short break destinations.

Known the world over for Windsor Castle, LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort more, there are plenty more things to see and do including Changing the Guard and tranquil boat trips on the Thames. There is excellent shopping, fine dining, Pubs, coffee shops, sports, leisure activities and an exciting programme of events too with its own Theatre and regular Farmers and French Markets. Windsor also boasts its own brewery and Fudge kitchen, making a variety fresh daily!

One of the Borough’s most important assets is large numbers of unspoiled rural areas, including 1,000 acres of National Trust land and 4,800 acres owned by the Crown Estate. There is also a network of widely-used public footpaths, bridleways and byways which give access to the countryside and river. The Borough embraces some of the loveliest country in the Middle Thames and some of the finest reaches of river.

Windsor housing can be on the expensive side due to the proximity to the Castle, however the outskirts can prove to be affordable. Windsor has 2 train stations with direct lines to Waterloo and Slough (which connects into Paddington for Central London). There is also good busing servicing the area as parking comes at a premium!

Sunningdale is located close to the present border with Surrey, and is not far from Ascot, Sunninghill and Virginia Water. It is situated 24 miles (38 km) west of London and just under 3 miles from the School.

Sunningdale and nearby Wentworth are famous as the location of a superb golf courses, which stage major championships, and always popular.

Sunningdale village centre has a train station to Waterloo, a Waitrose, bank, coffee shop, dry cleaners and a a couple of eateries.

Ascot is an affluent small town in East Berkshire, England, about 25 miles (40 km) west of London and just under 5 miles from the School. It is most notable as the location of Ascot Racecourse, home of the prestigious Royal Ascot meeting. The village comprises three areas: Ascot itself, North Ascot and South Ascot.

Facilities tend to be geared towards the racecourse, but there is a small range of shops in the wide High Street. Most of the expected facilities one would expect to find in a small town are here, including a couple of small supermarkets, petrol station, Banks, Chemist, local butchers and many cafes (including a Starbucks, Costa and a Subway).

Ascot has a station on a bi-section of the railway line from London’s Waterloo station to Reading, Bagshot, Aldershot and Guildford, now operated by South West Trains. Ascot is a commuter centre with its residents in both directions (westwards to Reading and eastwards to London).

One of Surrey’s good commuter towns is Chertsey, affordable despite its excellent communications and enviable riverside location. It has occupied the same site since ancient times, which today lies on the border between suburbia and the green belt. It offers plenty of period properties as well as a wide range of recently built flats, penthouses, town houses and luxury homes.

A prehistoric hill fort once occupied the elevated ground that, today, is St Anne’s Hill, a 57-acre wooded park that peaks at 240 feet and provides panoramic views over the Thames basin. This area was dominated by a Benedictine abbey that was founded in 666 and, in the Middle Ages, produced decorated floor tiles. Some of them still line the Chapter House of Westminster Abbey.

Back in the present, however, things are rosier. Chertsey town centre has recently had a face-lift, with pedestrianised streets and new street furniture. These improvements have encouraged some trendy wine bars and restaurants to move into the town centre.

Chertsey is approx 6 miles from the school with good commuter transport in the form of buses and trains that go direct to Egham Station. There are major supermarkets in the area with good bars, coffee shops and restaurants in the area. Good housing can vary in cost so it does pay to look around the area.

Bracknell Forest has one of the fastest growing populations in England: Between 1989 and 1999 the biggest factor was migration, both domestic and international.

The quality of life in the borough is high thanks to a combination of factors.

• Bracknell borough is approx 40 miles from the centre of London, give or take, but is also in the middle of the country, with more than 10% of its total land space still forest.
• 25 minutes from Heathrow, 45 minutes from Gatwick.
• Two railways lines taking commuters into London in under an hour.
• Two major motorways that take commuters into London or across the country – the M3 and the M4. There are also links to the M25.
  
  

Being in the suburbs means that house prices are cheaper and you get more for your money here, whilst still benefitting from all the excitement and nightlife of London with direct access into Waterloo. The major town of Reading is also only a train ride away with its bustling shopping centre, bars and restaurants.

Bracknell town centre has a variety of leisure options including fitness centres, bowling alley and cinema complex, bars and restaurants. Bracknell also has Coral Reef, a Water World complex of slides, rapids and even its own Pirate ship! Or for the more adventurous visit Go Ape – swing through trees on ropes, zip wires and navigate rope bridges in the forest.

Bus routes also run well in the town to all the surrounding areas and are very regular. Several of the major supermarket chains are also located in the area giving plenty of choice.

Richmond upon Thames is celebrated for its picturesque landscapes and vast green spaces. Richmond Park, the largest of London’s Royal Parks, provides an expansive natural playground for children to explore and families to enjoy outdoor activities together. The scenic River Thames offers beautiful walking and cycling paths, perfect for weekend adventures and peaceful retreats from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Living in Richmond upon Thames ensures you remain well-connected. With efficient transport links, including train and bus services, commuting to ACS Egham and Central London is seamless. The borough’s proximity to major roads and Heathrow Airport further enhances your connectivity, making travel convenient for both business and leisure.

Chiswick is known for its leafy streets, charming riverside walks, and an abundance of green spaces. Chiswick House and Gardens, a historic gem, offers beautiful grounds for leisurely strolls and family picnics. The River Thames provides a scenic backdrop for outdoor activities, fostering a healthy and active lifestyle for families.

Living in Chiswick ensures excellent connectivity. With direct train and underground services, commuting to Central London is swift and straightforward.

Chiswick excels in providing a high quality of life, with a focus on safety, healthcare, and amenities. The suburb is known for its low crime rates, excellent healthcare services, and a wealth of recreational facilities, including sports clubs, parks, and leisure centres. A diverse range of dining, shopping, and entertainment options means that all your family’s needs and desires are met with ease.

Families in Hammersmith enjoy a high standard of living with its excellent transport connections, ensuring easy access to central London and its neighbouring counties. Multiple Underground lines (Hammersmith & City, District, Piccadilly, and Circle) serve the area, along with numerous bus routes. Proximity to major road networks and Heathrow Airport further enhances the convenience for both daily commutes and international travel.

Hammersmith is a cultural hotspot, offering a rich array of entertainment options. The iconic Hammersmith Apollo hosts top-tier performances, while the Lyric Theatre provides a diverse range of productions. Local arts venues, community events, and farmers’ markets foster a lively and engaged community, making Hammersmith a vibrant place to live.