Property prices in rural areas surged during to pandemic
The average price of a rural property has risen by 20.8% over the last five years, 3.3% higher than in urban areas, according to the 2021 Rural Property Report by Coulters Property.
There was a surge of 6.22% in the price of rural property between 2019 and 2020, as demand increased for homes in rural areas during the pandemic.
“Over the last year, we’ve seen an increasing amount of people relocating from cities to the countryside, due to factors such as more green space, fresher air and a slower pace of life,” the report said.
| Rank | Local Authority | 2015 | 2020 | Five-year increase |
| 1 | Harborough | £245,582 | £328,172 | 33.6% |
| 2 | East Northamptonshire | £188,598 | £250,497 | 32.8% |
| 3 | Rutland | £254,328 | £335,024 | 31.7% |
| 4 | Hinckley and Bosworth | £181,410 | £238,220 | 31.3% |
| 5 | High Peak | £168,050 | £218,996 | 30.3% |
| 5 | Mendip | £219,217 | £285,616 | 30.3% |
| 7 | Swale | £202,145 | £263,271 | 30.2% |
| 7 | Staffordshire Moorlands | £156,219 | £203,403 | 30.2% |
| 7 | Derbyshire | £235,059 | £305,997 | 30.2% |
| 10 | Forest of Dean | £200,227 | £259,473 | 29.6% |
Property prices in Harborough, Leicestershire, have increased by 33.6% over the last five years, with the average house price reaching £328,172 in 2020.
The most expensive rural area, according to the report, is Waverley, Surrey, where the average house price is £473,536.
While County Durham is the most affordable countryside location to purchase a property, with an average house price of £109,980.
Predominantly urban areas have the highest average property prices (£302,710) in the country. However, the top ten most expensive areas to buy a house are all in London, where house prices are notoriously high due to their high demand.
This January saw house prices fall for the first time in six months.
The house price index from Nationwide reported a 0.3% fall in the average UK property price to £229,748.
