Where can I find a list of charming towns which are also some of the cheapest places to live in the UK?
Updated 11th November 2021.
We look at ten charming but affordable towns which form some of the cheapest places to live in the UK, and are in the majority, cheaper than the national average. Property values in the UK are just over £264,000, at August 2021 where the average house price in the UK was £264,244. House prices have risen by 10.6% compared to the previous year (Source: Land Registry).
According to the Office for National Statistics, the average wage in the UK is £611 per week, around £32,000 per year. Most people earning the average salary can’t afford the average price for properties. Banks typically lend between four and a half to five and a half times a mortgage applicant’s annual salary, while at least double that rate is required.
As a result of this phenomenon, a lot of homebuyers are moving farther and farther afield. In addition, some people are leaving their region of origin entirely in search of affordable towns.
Thankfully, however, the boom in UK house prices house hasn’t affected all areas equally. Some charming residential neighbourhoods, villages and towns boast surprisingly low house prices — here are 10 of the more interesting.
1. Bideford
According to Rightmove, Bideford’s average house price was nearly £240,000 (November 2021) —a full £24,000 lower than the national average.
Located along the River Torridge’s estuary in Devon, the quaint port town enjoys a relatively high standard of living. Indeed, the Office for National Statistics rates Bideford at 7.93 out of 10 for “life satisfaction”.
This small town has mostly been untouched by modern developments and retail zones. It’s 15 minutes from the nearest mainline railway station, but this only adds to its charm. There’s a local charm here that has remained chiefly unspoilt since the turn of the century. Bideford is home to beautiful coastlines, fishing communities, traditional local pubs and a warm community spirit.
It’s true to say that Bideford lacks some of the modern amenities and transport links that young professionals want. But if you’re after the quiet life — away from the rat race — this is a great place to live. And the area is perfect for raising a young family too. All of the schools receive “Good” or “Outstanding” ratings from OFSTED, and there are plenty of large terraced homes in the town, most of which have extensive gardens.
2. Pendle
Pendle is a borough located in Lancashire, close to North Yorkshire, Manchester, West Yorkshire and the Lake District. Vast swathes of the countryside are always just a 10-minute car journey away, yet Pendle residents still enjoy all the trappings of modern life.
Pendle’s average house price was a little over £166,000 (November 2021) —an entire £74,000 lower than the national average. However, the district of Colne is in Pendle, and it’s possible to buy a three-bedroom home here for less than £60,000!
3. Melton Mowbray
If you’re looking for a high standard of living on a tight budget, it might be worth your while to move to Melton Mowbray. Its stunning architecture and historical landmarks characterise this idyllic market town. Located in Leicestershire, Melton Mowbray scores an 8.05 out of 10 on the ONS’ life satisfaction scale.
This part of the world is subject to very tight planning restrictions to maintain its unique aesthetic. Nevertheless, according to Rightmove, the average price of a home in Melton Mowbray is nearly £232,000 (November 2021) —a full £32,000 less than the national average.
Melton Mowbray is home to a range of quintessentially British foods, including Stilton cheese and pork pies and is also a great place to run a tourist-based business. Other tourist attractions include the Regal theatre and the Stapleford Miniature Railway.
4. Lytham St Annes, near Blackpool.
If you’re looking for a bustling affordable town at the seaside without all of the attractions and crowds major resorts attract, Lytham St Annes could be the place for you. Located on the Fylde coast of Lancashire, just a few miles south of Blackpool, Lytham enjoys stunning coastal stretches and a much more laid-back seaside atmosphere. The town is also home to the Royal Lytham and St Annes Golf Club, regularly hosting The Open Championship.
Scoring an impressive 8.03 out of 10 on the ONS’s life satisfaction scale, Lytham St Annes has a reputation for providing quality homes at affordable prices; and is a great place to raise a family, as the air pollution is low. In addition, there are lots of open spaces in the area, and there are several schools with an “Outstanding” OFSTED rating.
According to Rightmove, Lytham St Anne’s average house price was nearly £260,000 (November 2021) — £4,000 lower than the national average
5. County Durham
When it comes to having everything on your doorstep, County Durham takes some beating. Not only do you have the North Yorkshire Moors and the Northumberland National Park just around the corner, but the cities of Sunderland, Durham and Newcastle are also within an hour’s drive. Durham is also fortunate to have some of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the British Isles.
With so many options for leisure, sightseeing and business, you might think that house prices in County Durham are high.
According to Rightmove, County Durham’s average house price was just over £159,000 (November 2021) — nearly £105,000 lower than the national average. Get an overview of the housing market in the North East here.
6. Beeston
Beeston is a picturesque and reasonably affluent town in Nottinghamshire, and it’s currently home to the headquarters of Boots, the chemist and the main campus of the University of Nottingham.
The area blessed with several leafy suburbs and a thriving town centre hasn’t changed all that much in the last 50 years. And thanks to the presence of businesses such as Siemens, Atos and Changan, the local employment rate is significantly higher than the national average. Among the landmarks in Beeston are the Anglo Scotian Mills, Wollaton Park and St. John the Baptist Church.
Beeston is the perfect place for young families. Public transport links into Nottingham, Derby and the Midlands are excellent, while the region’s motorways are just a few minutes drive away.
The town boasts lots of green space, low crime rates, excellent public amenities and several schools with an “Outstanding” OFSTED score.
According to Rightmove, Beestons’s average house price was just over £259,000 (November 2021) — £4,000 lower than the national average.
7. Belper
Belper is a local government district located in Amber Valley, Derbyshire. A few miles from Derby, the area is home to Milford, Bargate, Blackbrook and Makeney. The urban centres of the Midlands are just a short car journey away, but so are swathes of stunning countryside.
Belper recently scored 8.13 on the ONS’ life satisfaction scale and nearly 8 for happiness. Once an industrial town, Belper is now a primarily residential area home to Georgian and Victorian architecture, a bustling high street and part of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site.
The popularity of Belper as a commuter town in this part of England has increased in recent years. But despite an influx of new residents, the average home price as of December 2016 was nearly £245,000.
According to Rightmove, Beestons’s average house price was nearly £245,000 (November 2021) — £19,000 lower than the national average.
8. Sleaford
[Photo: By Bedoyere at English Wikipedia [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons]
Sleaford is a picturesque market town in Lincolnshire that dates back to Roman rule. Just 11 miles from Grantham and 16 miles from Boston, it benefits from an excellent location, equidistant from the economic heartlands of the Midlands, the South East and the North West. Sleaford also benefits from reasonably good transport links, including the A17 and the A15.
This idyllic town has a population of around 20,000, yet it possesses a village-like feel that is welcoming. Thanks to a selection of good schools, lots of open space and some magnificent architecture, Sleaford and the surrounding area boasts a stunning 8.31 life satisfaction score with the Office for National Statistics.
Sleaford isn’t close to a major city, however. While this works against the town concerning employment, it’s a significant advantage among retirees. But if you do want to raise a family in Sleaford, you won’t have to worry too much about keeping your loved ones safe. The more extensive district of North Kesteven had the lowest crime rate in the UK during 2014.
Sleaford is home to quaint cottages, modest terraced dwellings and lavish detached properties. Planning restrictions are tight, so the majority of the available homes in the area are period properties. But despite all of this, it’s still one of the cheaper places to live in the UK.
According to Rightmove, Sleaford’s average house price was £214,000 (November 2021) — £50,000 lower than the national average.
9. Newark-on-Trent
If you want to live your life surrounded by historic buildings, castles and beautiful swathes of countryside, Newark-on-Trent in Nottinghamshire is ideal. Located on the River Trent, this peaceful settlement on the banks of the River Trent is home to the ruinous Newark Castle, a bustling Marketplace, a lavish Georgian Town Hall and the famous Newark County Showground.
Scoring an impressive 8.11 out of 10 on the ONS’s life satisfaction scale, this sleepy town is characterised by green space, Georgian architecture and centuries of history. The way of life here is laid-back and comfortable, but the bright lights of Nottingham are just a short car journey away. In addition, Newark is located right on the A1, so that London is within three hours drive.
Thanks to an excellent network of schools, a booming tourism trade and some stunning family homes, this part of the world are in high demand.
According to Rightmove, Sleaford’s average house price was £201,000 (November 2021) — £53,000 lower than the national average.
10. Pershore
Setting foot in the town of Pershore in Worcestershire is like taking a giant leap back in time. This idyllic rural settlement is well known for its beautiful Georgian architecture and its archaeological significance. Indeed, the Council for British Architecture recently listed Pershore as one of 51 British “Gem Towns”.
Pershore delivers a village-like ambience that is well suited to young families and retirees alike. However, it still boasts a wealth of shopping, dining and leisure outlets. Perhaps this is why the local population has grown significantly during the last decade.
Nevertheless, the average property price in this charming English town is still a modest £250,000.
According to Rightmove, Pershore’s average house price was £295,000 (November 2021) — £31,000 higher than the national average, an increase of £45,000 in just over three years since the writing of this blog article.
There are many more beautiful areas of the British Isles where rural living is eminently affordable. So if you’re flexible about where you live and prepared to move away from the UK’s biggest cities, you can make your house buying budget stretch to the way of life you’ve always dreamed of by choosing one of the cheapest places to live in the UK.
