The pretty town 45 minutes from London with 'more single people' than the city

Not many commuter towns can boast having fantastic eateries, pubs and shopping options, with house prices £250,000 cheaper than London while being just 45 minutes commute from the city. The town of West Malling, Kent, boasts all of the above - and also apparently has eight times the number of single people per 1,000 than London.

It's true - this commuter's haven is also a great place to hunt for Mr or Mrs right, and according to lifestyle website Muddy Stilettos, it's one of the best places to live in the UK. They described the town: "With a pretty, period heart this market town offers a perfect mix of modern dining alongside Medieval character. From relaxing walks in its parks to historic landmarks, great places to eat and transport links in all directions."

If you need an idea for your next date, West Malling offers relaxing walks in its parks, historic landmarks, great places to eat, and transport links in all directions. The town has become a hotspot for commuters due to its reasonable house prices.

Rightmove reports that the overall average price of properties in West Malling was £427,789 over the last year. With trains to London Bridge taking just 44 minutes, it's no wonder commuters are flocking here.

For food lovers, The George at Trottiscliffe comes highly recommended. This cosy gastropub boasts a 4.5 rating on Tripadvisor from over 1,400 reviews. Other top picks include The Swan, a Michelin-listed brasserie, and The Farm House, another cosy pub.

The town is home to a variety of independent businesses such as Hardy's Wine Merchant and Coco and Bloom flower shop, along with numerous specialist shops. For those in need of a larger shopping experience, Bluewater is just a short drive away.

Interestingly, according to Match.com, West Malling once held the record for the highest number of active single people in relation to its population back in 2015. It's unclear if it still holds this title, but there's only one way to find out!

Getting there is straightforward - by car, it's approximately an hour and 20 minutes from London via the A20 and M20. Alternatively, direct trains to London Bridge can get you there in as little as 44 minutes.

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