THE best places to buy a cottage in the UK have been revealed, with one Scottish region topping the list.
While the “cottagecore” aesthetic that romanticises rural life and encourages simple living has surged in popularity due to social media trends in recent years, people have been inspired to find their own cottage home.
Analysis by the property website, Zoopla, has pinpointed locations across Britain where home buyers are most likely to snap one up at a bargain price.
Zoopla said that “cottage” was the fourth most-searched for term on its website in 2024.
Among those aiming for a lifestyle brimming with bucolic bliss, the analysis reveals where this is translating into market demand for cottages.
It is good news for Scots as North Lanarkshire topped Zoopla’s affordability list, with a cottage typically priced at £83,500.
Other areas in Scotland which attracted significant attention included East Renfrewshire, where a cottage has an average asking price of £100,000, Zoopla said.
Daniel Copley, a consumer expert at Zoopla, said the property firm has seen a desire for a simpler life translate into market demand as some areas have become “hotspots” for potential cottage buyers.
He said: “Our data shows a clear and sustained appetite for the cottagecore lifestyle, a trend that shows no signs of slowing down.
“While the dream of a quaint, rural cottage is often associated with high prices, our analysis highlights that affordability can still be found across the country. From the rolling hills of North Lanarkshire to the coastal charm of Sunderland, there are options for prospective buyers on a range of budgets.
“We’re seeing this desire for a simpler life translate into market demand, with specific areas becoming hotspots for buyer interest. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or looking for a change of pace, the cottage market offers diverse opportunities.”
Zoopla analysed homes available for sale between January and May 2025, with London generally excluded.
Where are the least expensive areas for cottages across Britain?
Here are the areas in regions and nations of Britain where cottages are typically the least expensive, according to Zoopla. The figures show the median average asking price for a cottage:
- East Midlands, Amber Valley, £206,000
- East of England, Fenland, £249,000
- North East, Sunderland, £115,000
- North West, Blackburn with Darwen, £157,500
- Scotland, North Lanarkshire, £83,500
- South East, Southampton, £280,000
- South West, Plymouth, £248,500
- Wales, Rhondda Cynon Taf, £129,500
- West Midlands, Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme, £238,000
- Yorkshire and the Humber, Bradford, £200,000
Where are the most expensive areas for cottages across Britain?
Here are the areas in regions and nations of Britain where cottages are typically the most expensive, according to Zoopla. The figures show the median average asking price for a cottage:
- East Midlands, South Northamptonshire and Gedling, £400,000
- East of England, Welwyn Hatfield, £662,500
- North East, Northumberland, £300,000
- North West, Cheshire West and Chester, £375,000
- Scotland, East Lothian, £381,000
- South East, Slough, £824,500
- South West, Gloucester, £531,500
- Wales, Monmouthshire, £442,500
- West Midlands, North Warwickshire, £615,000
- Yorkshire and the Humber, York, £400,000
Where are most people looking to buy cottages across Britain?
Here are the areas in each region or nation where cottages are attracting the biggest concentrations of buyer inquiries, according to Zoopla, with the median average asking price of a cottage:
- Scotland, East Renfrewshire, £100,000
- Wales, Neath Port Talbot, £170,000
- Yorkshire and the Humber, Bradford, £200,000
- South East, Southampton, £280,000
- North East, Sunderland, £115,000
- West Midlands, Stoke-on-Trent, £238,000
- South West, Plymouth, £248,500
- East of England, Hertsmere, £485,000
- East Midlands, Leicester, £325,000
- North West, Blackburn with Darwen, £157,500
