Top 10 best value countryside areas

03-09-07, UpMyStreet ©

According to a recent Halifax survey, a third of us prefer the peace and quiet of a rural setting. But buying a piece of country life comes at a premium. The average price of property in a rural location is £246,104 - that's 14% higher than the average price in a town or city location, and up 72% in the last five years.

We're counting down the top ten best value countryside locations in Britain, with the Halifax 2007 Rural Housing Review.

10. Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland

As the third largest region in Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway is well known for its 200 mile stretch of jagged coastline overlooking Ireland, Cumbria and the Isle of Man. Average house prices here are £143,700 with average earnings of £27,037.

 
9. South Kesteven, East Midlands

South Kesteven is characterised by historical market towns, castles and stately homes, but it's also known for its modern property developments. The area recently won the Local Authority Building Control regional quality award 2007 for the best designed affordable homes in the East Midlands. Prices here are comfortably affordable at just over £180,000, five times the average local salary.

 
8. Rushcliffe, East Midlands

Rushcliffe's proximity to Nottingham gives this area an ideal blend of rural and urban life. Good transport links with the city mean average earnings are over £40,000, making average house prices (currently £224,467) affordable. East Midlands Airport is also nearby.

 
7. Tewkesbury, South West

The South West is premium countryside property territory - nine of the ten least affordable rural locations, including Carrick and South Hams, are found in the region. This makes Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire a good value choice, and the only South Western area to make the top ten. Prices here average at just over £200,000, with a local average income of £40,000.

The town boasts an impressive number of period properties, with many timber-framed houses and over 200 residential listed buildings.

 
6. Pendle, North West

If you're looking for a rural investment, Pendle could be well placed to give you a good return. The area has experienced the highest rural house price growth in the last five years, with average prices increasing by 162%. House prices are still affordable at just under £140,000, five times local average earnings of £28,195.

Pendle is in the heart of Bronte country, with well-known walking paths across the moors, quaint country inns and easy access to the Lake District, Manchester and Leeds.

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