For buyers priced out of Britain’s best-known beauty spots, a quieter alternative may offer much more space and character for the money.
Property experts have highlighted five locations where buyers can enjoy canalside villages, coastal living, market-town life or easy access to the countryside without paying the premium associated with better-known neighbours.
The suggestions include Slaithwaite in West Yorkshire instead of Saddleworth, Weymouth rather than Lyme Regis, Lincolnshire’s Louth and Market Rasen as alternatives to Beverley and Bawtry, St Columb Major in place of Newquay, and Newbury for those struggling with prices in Oxford or Reading.
Slaithwaite, West Yorkshire
Slaithwaite, in the Colne Valley, combines a historic Pennine setting with practical transport links. The village has independent shops, cafés and bars, while the Huddersfield Narrow Canal runs through its centre.
Jake Rowson, sales director at Ryder and Dutton, said the village had become increasingly popular with people seeking a quieter lifestyle without losing access to larger towns and cities.
He said a two-bedroom cottage in Saddleworth would typically cost at least £250,000, while similar accommodation in Slaithwaite could be found for about £200,000.
The village railway station provides services towards Manchester and Leeds, while the surrounding countryside offers walking routes close to residential areas. The location has attracted both young families and people moving out of Manchester.
Nearby Holmfirth, known for its connection with Last of the Summer Wine, provides another alternative for those wanting a rural setting. The town is also home to a vineyard described by the agent as Britain’s highest.
One of the more unusual properties currently being marketed in the area is Slaithwaite Hall, a Grade II-listed five-bedroom home believed to date back to the 15th century. The property includes a great hall, barn and storerooms and is on sale for £850,000.
Weymouth, Dorset
Weymouth offers a more affordable route into Dorset’s coastal property market, with a sandy beach, harbour and access to the Jurassic Coast.
Jamie Grierson, area manager for Dorset at Connells, said the town could appeal to buyers drawn to Lyme Regis but unable to meet its prices.
The resort has a busy waterfront and maritime heritage, while Nothe Gardens, Bowleaze Cove and the surrounding coastline provide opportunities for walking and watersports. The town also has a selection of schools, independent businesses and national retailers.
Weymouth is served by the South Western Railway network, with trains running towards Dorchester, Bournemouth and London Waterloo. That connection has helped it attract commuters as well as second-home buyers.
A six-bedroom property with panoramic sea views and a private roof terrace is being offered in Weymouth for £475,000, illustrating the difference in value that can be available away from the county’s most fashionable coastal addresses.
Louth and Market Rasen, Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire offers a combination of open countryside, historic towns and relatively low property prices.
Roo Fisher of Savills in Lincoln said the county’s appeal lay in its variety, from the Lincolnshire Wolds and coastal paths to its market towns and cathedral city.
Louth, often known as the capital of the Wolds, is noted for its Georgian and Victorian architecture, independent shops and regular markets. The town sits close to Hubbard’s Hills, a wooded chalk valley popular with walkers and families.
Market Rasen provides a similar market-town setting on the edge of the Wolds. It has a cobbled market place, independent businesses and Lincolnshire’s only racecourse, which hosts more than 20 National Hunt fixtures during the year.
Both towns offer a slower pace of life than larger Yorkshire centres, with access to countryside and community facilities. Fisher said the area was particularly attractive to people moving from London and the South East who wanted more space.
A one-bedroom first-floor flat in Louth, close to the town centre in Westgate, is being marketed for £75,000.
St Columb Major, Cornwall
St Columb Major provides an inland alternative to the higher prices found in Newquay, while remaining within reach of the north Cornish coast.
The historic town has period properties, cafés, traditional pubs and a compact centre built around its market place. Its position means residents can reach Newquay’s beaches, restaurants and coastal walks by car, while Cornwall Airport Newquay is also nearby.
Lily Miegel, branch manager for Miller Countrywide in Newquay, said the town was attracting buyers who wanted a quieter setting but did not want to give up access to Cornwall’s main attractions.
She said properties in St Columb Major could provide more space and character than homes in neighbouring coastal locations.
A one-bedroom flat in the Market Place, with an open-plan kitchen and living area, is available through the Modern Method of Auction for £85,000. Under that arrangement, the buyer and seller are expected to complete within 56 days, subject to the terms of the sale.
Newbury, Berkshire
For buyers seeking countryside and commuter links in the South East, Newbury is being presented as a less expensive option than Oxford or Reading.
The historic market town has two theatres, a twice-weekly market and a mixture of independent restaurants, pubs and familiar high-street names. It is surrounded by villages and open countryside, with Highclere Castle, the real-life setting associated with Downton Abbey, about five miles to the south.
Newbury also has a direct rail service to London Paddington, with the fastest trains taking about 40 minutes. That connectivity helps explain why the area remains popular with commuters, despite being relatively less costly than some neighbouring Home Counties locations.
Victoria Anderson-Stewart of Savills in Newbury said four- and five-bedroom village homes with gardens generally ranged from about £850,000 to £1.7 million. Larger properties with several acres and facilities such as a swimming pool or tennis court could cost between £1.75 million and £2.5 million.
Among the villages highlighted are Kingsclere, Highclere, Woolton Hill, Kintbury, Chieveley, Hermitage and Cold Ash. In Newbury itself, popular residential areas include Speen, Donnington, West Mills and Tydehams.
New homes at the Knights Grove development on the edge of Newbury are currently being advertised from £510,000.
