As researchers we’ve talked a great deal in recent months about the move towards a less urban way of life prompted by the strictures of lockdown and the desire for fresh air and space. 

Not everyone feels that way, of course, but if you are in the market to swap city streets for a country lane or coastal path, then our analysis of English villages may help pinpoint where to look. 

Exactly what characteristics are classed as essential will vary from buyer to buyer, but we know that access to education, attractive surroundings and connectivity isn’t a bad definition for ‘have it all’ places to live, particularly for those with young children.

We’ve scoured the parishes of England for villages in areas of outstanding natural beauty or a national park but which are all within 20km of a railway station and have at least one primary school that’s rated good or outstanding. 

To make it onto our top five list by region there must have been no fewer than 10 house sales in the last five years (to March 2020) and we’ve gone on to rank those villages according to the average house price there. As you can see from the tables below, all these locations carry significant premiums compared with the county average.

Buyers in search of the greatest value could turn their sights to picturesque Warkworth in Northumberland where the average house price is £274,282 and the nearest train station is just under 5km away. There’s a magnificent medieval castle to boot. 

By contrast, houses in Little Gaddesden in the beautiful Chilterns, with a similar distance to the closest station, come with an average price tag of £1.27 million. Hot on its heels is Beaulieu, in the New Forest, with an average price of just under £1.2 million, about 7.4km away from Lymington Pier station.

From Cornwall to the Peaks, Pennines and beyond, here’s our analysis in more detail:

Further information

Contact Frances Clacy

Contact Savills Residential Research