Thinking about moving to Sunningdale? In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything this picturesque Berkshire village has to offer, from its luxurious homes and scenic surroundings to outstanding schools, boutique shopping, fine dining, and fantastic transport links. Whether you’re looking to raise a family, enjoy the close countryside living with urban access and convenience, or invest in property, discover what it’s really like living in Sunningdale and what it has to offer.
Nestled near the borders of Surrey and Berkshire, and sitting in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Sunningdale is an affluent village with surrounding natural beauty, world-renowned golf clubs, ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted rated schools, and of course the famous Ascot racecourse.
With a variety of shops, restaurants, pubs, and bars, as well as a bustling high street, and local beautiful open spaces, Sunningdale has a beautiful mix of village charm with very commuter-friendly connections to London, making it one of the most sought-after places to live in the South East.
What’s it Like Living in Sunningdale?
With so much on offer here, Sunningdale certainly provides an enviable lifestyle. This peaceful village, surrounded by open countryside, and just 50 minutes by train from London Waterloo attracts families, retirees, and professionals alike. And it’s not difficult to recognise why this wealthy area, with wide open natural green spaces, elegant properties, and Outstanding educational facilities is a sought-after location.
Sunningdale’s well maintained and clean streets are lined with beautiful, detached homes, gated mansions, and charming cottages, with many tucked away in private leafy lanes, that it feels like you’re walking around royal residences. The area has a quiet, exclusive feel but retains a warm welcoming community spirit thanks to its local events, independent shops, and friendly residents.
And to add to that, its proximity to places like Windsor Great Park, Ascot Racecourse, Savill Garden, and Chobham Comon, it’s clear why so many are drawn to the relaxed yet refined pace of life in Sunningdale.
As with many wealthy areas with large and luxurious properties, Sunningdale does come at a cost. In fact, it’s one of the most expensive areas in the UK for properties. Whilst in previous years a specific mansion was sold at an eyewatering £15million, the highest value recorded for property over the past 12 months £4,640,000 for a house.
Benefits of Living in Sunningdale
If you’re looking to move to, or get into property investment in Sunningdale, you’ll find plenty of benefits and opportunities to living here. Within walking distance to beautiful, luscious green areas, wide selection of shops, pubs and restaurants, and incredible transport links and leisure and sports facilities, Sunningdale has it all.
Leafy Surroundings and Open Spaces
Sunningdale offers many idyllic locations to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. You’ll find an abundance of outdoor spaces to enjoy:
- Windsor Great Park – A vast expanse of 4,800 acres of parkland and forest, perfect for long walks, horse riding, cycling, or picnics. The Valley Gardens and Virginia Water Lake are popular highlights that we recommend visiting.
- Swinley Forest – Located roughly 13 minutes away from Sunningdale, this woodland covers more than 3,000 acres and offers scenic walking and biking trails through ancient pine trees and has a genuine Iron Age Fort.
- Chobham Common – Although in Surrey, Chobham Common is a 6-minute drive from Sunningdale, presenting one of the largest National Nature Reserves in the southeast, which is great for dog walking, birdwatching, and exploring the wild heathlands.
A Close-Knit Community and Village Lifestyle
Despite its upmarket feel, Sunningdale maintains a close nit community and village centre with many friendly local shops, cafes, and essential services for the locals. The Sunningdale village hall and local library also hosts year-round events, with various activities and events taking place, from the likes of farmer’s markets, Pilates, Zumba, Kids football, and charity fundraisers taking place.
For equestrian lovers, polo is a big part of the lifestyle here. In the nearby Windsor Great Park is the Guards Polo Club and Royal Windsor Horse Show.
As with any village you’d expect a top-notch butcher, which is what you get here with Lewis of Sunningdale, a 3rd generation butcher providing high quality meat produce since 1931.
Excellent Transport Links in Sunningdale
Sunningdale is well-connected for a village of its size. It’s ideal for commuters heading towards London or those needing access to wider road and rail networks. Whether you’re travelling to the big city daily or travel frequently for business, Sunningdale makes it incredibly convenient.
- Train: Sunningdale Railway Station offers direct services to London Waterloo in approximately 50 minutes, Ascot in 4 minutes, Staines in 17 minutes, and Reading in 33 minutes.
- Road: Sunningdale village is close to the A30, M3, and M25 motorways, offering quick routes to Heathrow Airport (about 24 minutes), central London in around 1 hour, depending on traffic, and onwards to the south coast.
- Bus: Local bus services such as the 1/1A, 27 and 24 all run between Sunningdale, Ascot, Windsor, and surrounding towns.
Schools and Education in Sunningdale
Sunningdale is particularly attractive to families due to its reputation with high quality and Outstanding Ofsted rated schools and educational institutions, both state and independent. From local popular primary schools to more prestigious private institutions like Hall Grove, Papplewick, and Charters School, and of course it’s proximity to the famous Eton College in Windsor.
Primary Schools in Sunningdale:
- Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School – Rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted this is a mixed school for ages 4 to 11.
- St Michael’s C of E Primary School – A small, well-regarded school providing education from Reception to Year 6.
Secondary & Independent Schools:
- Charters School – A ‘Good’ Ofsted rated secondary school in Sunninghill, known for strong academics, sports, and sixth-form opportunities.
- St George’s School, Ascot – An independent day and boarding school for girls aged 11 – 18 with a strong reputation for academic excellence.
- Hall Grove School – A popular co-ed prep school set in 40 acres of grounds with its own golf course and woodland for children and students from pre-school level to Years 7 and 8.
- LVS Ascot – An independent co-educational school offering modern facilities and a strong creative arts programme for students aged 4 to 19.
Best Places to Eat and Drink in Sunningdale
Sunningdale is home to a very refined but diverse dining scene, reflecting its cosmopolitan residents. Whether you’re after classic British pub food, French bistro vibes, modern Asian fusion or fine dining, there’s something for every taste:
- Fego Sunningdale – A lively and stylish café and restaurant that blends South African, European, and Middle Eastern flavours.
- Bluebells Restaurant – Sat on the edge of Sunningdale, in Sunninghill, Ascot this elegant spot offers fine dining with contemporary British and European dishes in a relaxed and formal setting.
- Kempton’s at Sunningdale Park – A stylish and contemporary bar and restaurant in Ascot, set in a beautiful, listed building just 28-minute walk from Sunningdale train station.
- Pazzia Trattoria Sunnigndale – An Italian restaurant in Sunningdale, a sister restaurant to Pazzia Sunninghill, providing an exceptional dining experience with great wine pairing selections and some of the best food you’ll ever have.
If you enjoy dining out or having high-end eateries close by, you’ll be spoiled for choice.
Sunningdale’s Property Market and Prices
Sunningdale is one of the most affluent property markets outside of London, with a strong demand for family homes, countryside retreats, and luxury estates. From Georgian houses to Victorian terraces, grand and luxurious gated mansions in private estates, modern family homes, semi-detached properties, and stylish apartments, the area offers a wide range of high-end properties to choose from and invest in.
Whether you’re looking to purchase your first home or exploring a buy-to-let investment property, Sunningdale presents an enormous opportunity for long-term investment.
The average sales price over the past 12 months in Sunningdale was £672,418, with the total value of sales reaching £242,361,403. 23% of these sales in the past 12 months were flats, with an average sales price of £375,760 with houses achieving £801,316.
Property Prices in Sunningdale:
- Detached Homes: £1,103,086
- Semi-detached Homes: £623,342
- Terraced Homes: £503,192
- Flats: £375,760
Average Rent Prices in Sunningdale:
Sunningdale is also popular with renters, particularly professionals and families looking for spacious, well-located homes in a safe, green environment. The average rental value for properties in Sunningdale over the past 12 months was £2,479 per month, a -8% change on the previous 12-month period.
47% of properties let over the past 12 months were flats, reaching an average rental cost of £1,788 per month, with homes seeing a rental cost of £3,256 per month.
- 2-bed flat: £1,561 per month
- 3-bed flat: £1,969 per month
- 2-bed house: £1,794 per month
Homes in private roads and estates such as Devenish Road, Charters Road, and the fringes of Wentworth regularly attract interest from high-net-worth buyers, investors, and overseas purchasers.
If you’re considering selling or letting property in Sunningdale, reach out to our local Sunningdale Estate and Letting Agents branch for a free property valuation.
How Sunningdale Compares to Neighbouring Areas
| Feature | Sunningdale | Ascot | Virginia Water | Windlesham |
| Green Spaces | Windsor Great Park, Swinley Forest | Ascot Heath, Sunninghill Park | Virginia Water Lake, Windsor Great Park | Chobham Common |
| Average Property Price | £1,123,850 | £1,034,281 | £827,298 | £685,885 |
| Transport | Rail to London, M3/M25, Heathrow nearby | Rail, Bus connections, A30, M4, A4 | Rail, close to M25, M4, | Close to M3, local bus |
| Lifestyle | Peaceful, affluent, family-focused | Bustling, Affluent, racecourse lifestyle | Exclusive, gated estates, quiet countryside | Rural charm, affluent village life |
Ready to Move to Sunningdale?
Sunningdale offers a highly luxurious lifestyle surrounded by greenery, with everything you need on your doorstep, from highly rated schools to gourmet and fine dining, excellent transport, and elegant homes. Whether you’re looking for a place to raise a family, enjoy a more relaxing retirement, or escape London for more space, fresh air, and proximity to the local countryside, Sunningdale is a truly exceptional place to live.
If you’re considering buying or renting in Sunningdale, get in touch with our local Chancellors Sunningdale estate agents to find your perfect property today. For Sales, call us on 01344 377338, or for Lettings, call us on 01344 377352. Or book a free property and market valuation with our Sunningdale branch online.
