A Growing Trend: Londoners Moving to Histon
Just outside of Cambridge, the village of Histon stands in all its quaint glory. There’s an annual food festival, cottages with thatched roofs, and a general sense of community spirit. So, it makes sense that Londoners are increasingly abandoning their hectic lives in the capital in search of a ‘lovely’ slice of country life.
Yopa’s CEO, Verona Frankish, tells that around 1,300 people a year are making the move from London into this area of South Cambridgeshire. ‘It highlights just how strong demand has become, and it’s being driven by buyers who are willing to trade a longer commute for significantly more space and better value for money,’ she says.
‘What’s particularly notable is where this demand is coming from, with boroughs such as Enfield accounting for the largest share of movers, followed by Barnet, Wandsworth and Lambeth, while further demand is coming from areas including Southwark, Newham and Haringey.’
In her view, villages like Histon keep buyers within plain and easy reach of Cambridge, which has a ‘thriving’ jobs market. And it’s for this reason that these once under-the-radar commuter villages are fast becoming some of the ‘most desirable’ destinations for those looking to move out of London.
Ready to Start Your Homebuying Journey?
You can access completely fee-free mortgage advice with London & Country (L&C) Mortgages, a partner of . Customers benefit from:
- Award winning service from the UK’s leading mortgage broker
- Expert advisors on hand 7 days a week
- Access to 1000s of mortgage deals from across the market
Unlike many mortgage brokers, L&C won’t charge you a fee for their advice.
Find out how much you could borrow online
Mortgage service provided by London & Country Mortgages (L&C), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (registered number: 143002). The FCA does not regulate most Buy to Let mortgages. Your home or property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
House Prices in Histon
Being right near Cambridge, houses in Histon don’t come cheap. According to Rightmove, the average home in the area has gone for £505,652 over the last year. This is considerably over the national average asking price, which, as of April, is currently £373,971.
Detached properties in Histon rise in price even further, as the going rate for these over the last 365 days has been £682,143. Terraced properties have averaged out to be slightly cheaper, at £330,000.
The general trend line is certainly upwards, though, considering these figures are 10% up on the situation in 2025.
Things to Do in Histon
Histon might be small, but it has everything you’d expect of a village. For starters, locals are sorted for drinking holes, as there’s The Boot and The Red Lion, which was crowned CAMRA’s Pub of the Year back in 2017.
Inside, expect rows of traditional beer mugs hanging from the ceiling, and signs from breweries collected over the years.
There’s also Stir Histon, which dishes out brunch every single day. Choose from simple dishes like bacon and sausage baps, warm banana bread, or granola, or branch out for a larger feast and order eggs on toast, or a full English.
You can also order freshly baked goods, including sourdough (there’s a gluten-free option, too), and a bougier strawberry viennoiserie.
Every summer, the Histon and Impington Feast Festival takes over the village, and this year, it’s running between June 27 and July 5. With live music and food stalls in abundance, the aim is to raise as much money for the local community as possible. Last year, the initiative raised £4,700.
Transport Links in Histon
Naturally, part of Histon’s appeal lies in its proximity to Cambridge: it’s just north of the university city. Driving into the centre takes around 25 minutes, depending on the time of day, while the number 8 bus takes 33 minutes (23 stops) to get to Jesus College. And, it being the City of Perspiring Dreams, there’s also the eternal possibility of hopping on your bike like the rest of the locals, which would take around half an hour. It’s only five miles away, after all.
If you want to commute into London, you can take the Great Northern service from Cambridge North, which is 56 minutes (or two stops) away from King’s Cross Station. It’s a 12-minute drive to the train station from Histon, or you can take two buses (the A and then the B, swapping in Oakington). On your bike, it’ll take you around 19 minutes.
Things to Do in Cambridge
Locals often argue that Cambridge has one of the best pub scenes in the country, considering it’s home to the UK’s longest-running CAMRA beer festival, which makes an appearance in the city each spring.
There’s The Eagle (where the discovery of DNA was announced), the Devonshire Arms (which has strong links with the Windrush Generation), and Anchor Cambridge (known to have been a watering hole for members of Pink Floyd).
Food-wise, a visit to Mill Road should always be on the cards, where there are more than 30 independent eateries to suit all taste buds. There aren’t any chain restaurants here: eat local is the motto. The Mill Mediterranean Coffee Spot offers a strong selection of Greek pastries and crêpes, while Chinese restaurant Noodles Plus is famous for its queues.
Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]. Comment now. Add as a Preferred Source on Google. Add as preferred source. Sign up to ’s The Key newsletter for must-read property stories, DIY hacks and tips for buying a home.
