For many Brits, the pandemic sparked an exodus from the city as people sought out a slice of the countryside to call their own, and market towns became a hotspot for those seeking an ‘in between’ rural and city living.
UK property platform Rightmove has released its list of most searched for market towns in the countryside that offer proximity to nature alongside amenities such as a high street with its corner shop and food market, and of course, a local pub.
Taking the top spot as the UK’s most searched for market town is the riverside Totnes in south Devon. Dating back to the medieval period, this picturesque town on the banks of the River Dart boasts an English Heritage castle above its high street as well as many riverside pubs and scenic walking trails. The average asking price for Totnes is £318,924, with direct trains from London Paddington taking just over three hours.
Derbyshire’s Ashbourne and Keswick in Cumbria come in at second and third place, respectively.
See the complete list (and the average asking price for property there in April 2021) below.
- Totes, Devon (318,924)
- Ashbourne, Derbyshire (279,924)
- Keswick, Cumbria (£353,063)
- Sherborne, Dorset (£328,869)
- Thirsk, North Yorkshire (£230,354)
- Alnwick, Northumberland (£230,853)
- Pickering, North Yorkshire (£285,522)
- Marlborough, Wiltshire (£436,408)
- Kingsbridge, Devon (£373,328)
- Richmond, North Yorkshire (£251,296)
