London Britain Township offers a “bucolic” atmosphere
London Britain Township offers extra land and convenient access to some of the most prominent outdoor destinations on this side of the Delaware Valley. “One of the driving factors is the non-city atmosphere,” says Michael Quinn, a Realtor with Re/Max Town & Country. “It’s very bucolic, and there are some major hiking areas, too, nearby.” Many in this three-century-old township are within minutes of some vast parks and woods with fishing holes and well over 40 miles of hiking, biking and running trails. The township’s location along the state line has long drawn those who work in neighboring Delaware, but want access to some of Pennsylvania’s benefits. “We see many people moving from Delaware to take advantage of the school systems,” Quinn says. Also, “a lot of people who retire from DuPont, which is in Delaware, relocate to Pennsylvania because they’re not taxed on their income.”
Buyers will find luxury homes on spacious lots
Tall and mature maple, pine and spruce trees surround homes and line several roads without sidewalks. Homes tend to have spacious yards that some use for small playgrounds and sports equipment. Many lots here run between 1 and 4 acres, and some live next to fields covered in hay bales. “It’s very rural and beautiful,” says Beth Skalish, a Realtor with Keller Williams Real Estate. “The properties tend to be a little larger than in a more suburban area.” The housing includes ranch-style homes, Colonial Revivals, New Traditionals and contemporary homes. Size and condition are cost factors, and many homes sell from $360,000 to $780,000. A few homes, roughly between 4,800 and 10,500 square feet, go from $860,000 to $1.4 million. The township has an overall CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, below the national average of 4.
Vast park and preserve offer hiking, biking, fishing and golf
The township has the roughly 1,400-acre White Clay Creek Preserve, which leads to the even larger Delaware state park of the same name. Many anglers at the preserve fly fish in the middle of the forest-lined creek, while hikers and horseback riders explore the surrounding woods on well over 10 miles of trails. Some of the area’s attractions include the historic John Evans House, an abandoned brick and stone structure that’s over 300 years old. White Clay Creek State Park offers more miles of trails across its more than 3,600 acres. Its other amenities include a disc golf course and the public 18-hole Deerfield Golf Club.
Students may attend the Avon Grove School District
The township is zoned for Penn London Elementary and Avon Grove Intermediate School, both of which get a B-plus from Niche. Penn London covers kindergarten and first grade, while Avon Grove Intermediate serves second to fifth graders. Students may then go to Avon Grove middle and high schools. Avon Grove Middle receives an A-minus, while the high school gets an A. The Avon Grove School District’s focus areas include STEM, which it pushes through programs like its business and computer science department. Avon Grove High’s clubs include ones that introduce its students to drones and robotics.
Local dining options include The Haven Social and Daddy’s Kitchen
The township’s few restaurants include The Haven Social, a fine dining staple with black-and-white paintings of Audrey Hepburn and Charlie Chaplin and some velvet- and leather-bound seating. The restaurant is a BYOB establishment with a seasonal menu that typically includes many seafood options like raw oysters, shrimp and mussels. Daddy’s Kitchen is a casual spot serving classic comfort foods and breakfast. Many otherwise make the short drive to Newark to eat out and shop. “It’s close to the Delaware line, so essentially tax-free shopping,” Skalish says. For authentic Philly cheesesteaks, there’s Balboa Steaks in downtown Newark. Chain stores in Newark include Food Lion, Acme and Lowe’s. There’s also another incentive to going to Delaware to shop.
Nearby Newark hosts a summer craft beer and food festival
The township is several miles north of Newark, which hosts a few events during the year. In July, foodies and beer fans visit the city’s downtown for the annual Newark Food & Brew Fest. The event invites many to sample various foods and drinks by stopping by several restaurants around the historic and walkable Main Street area. A number of the early arrivals may also get souvenir tasting mugs.
Commuters are less than 20 miles from Wilmington and Newark
The township is just west of Gap Newport Pike, one of the roads commuters use to go to Wilmington, less than 20 miles east. The Wilmington area has long employed many in south Chester County through its financial sector and companies like DuPont. New London Road goes to Newark, home of the University of Delaware, less than 10 miles south. The township is 10 miles northwest of the 1,039-bed Christiana Hospital, one of the closest places for services like emergency care. For air travel, the Philadelphia International Airport is about 35 miles east.
