Despite the rise of urban living, many homebuyers are searching for the ultimate period property in an idyllic green setting. Here we identify Britain’s best prime and emerging prime rural locations and analyse the house price premiums such locations can command.
Since the 1950s, the Government has designated 15 areas, described as ‘Britain’s breathing spaces’, as National Parks, and a further 46 smaller locations as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs). The purpose of these designations is to conserve the natural beauty and heritage of their landscapes and both have equal status when it comes to planning consent. As a result, housing supply remains constrained and the integrity of the built environment is well preserved.
Our analysis of detached properties in these areas has pinpointed where the established prime locations are as well as the emerging areas. Unsurprisingly, the most expensive areas are in the south of the country. Surrey Hills is the most expensive green location with the average sale price of a detached property now £963k. By comparison, within Snowdonia National Park, a detached home has an average sale price of just £221k.
Although we believe the trend for urban living will continue for the medium term, villages and rural countryside now represent good value in comparison to larger towns, meaning they currently represent a good ‘buy’ opportunity.
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