New analysis reveals that Cornwall is the best place in England to find a cottage, with the property type making up a larger share of homes for sale in the county than anywhere else in the country.
The research, carried out by over-50s property specialists Regency Living, found that while cottages are a highly desirable option for downsizers, they remain in limited supply across most of England.
According to the study, there are currently around 367,425 residential properties listed for sale in England. Of these, just 14,830 are cottages, meaning cottages represent only 4% of the total market.
By comparing cottage listings with overall for-sale stock in each county, the research highlights where homebuyers have the best chances of securing one of these characterful homes. Cornwall leads the way, with cottages making up 12.6% of its current residential listings.
Herefordshire follows closely with cottages accounting for 12.2% of available properties, while in Rutland the figure stands at 11.8%. Other counties where cottages make up more than 10% of current listings include Somerset (10.5%) and Gloucestershire (10.3%). Devon (9%), the Isle of Wight (8.9%), Wiltshire (8.4%), Dorset (8.1%), and Cumbria (8%) also feature prominently in the rankings.
In contrast, some counties have a much lower share of cottages available. Nowhere is the shortage more apparent than in Greater London, where cottages account for just 0.7% of all current property listings. Merseyside (0.8%), West Midlands County (0.9%), and the City of Bristol (1.2%) also rank low, with Tyne & Wear, Greater Manchester, and Durham each seeing cottages making up less than 2% of their for-sale market.
“For silver downsizers who are looking to move into a smaller, more manageable property, cottages are incredibly desirable. Not only are they a good size for downsizers, but they also boast a huge amount of character and a charming aesthetic due in no small part to their age," comments Regency Living's sales & marketing director, Tim Simmons.
"But the fact that cottages are usually older properties means they often require a significant amount of renovations and upkeep in order to ensure they are comfortable, safe, and accessible. So even if you are able to find one on the market, it’s important to consider how much money and effort you’re willing to put into maintaining it over both the short and long term."
Simmons added, "A bungalow can, therefore, make the most sense for downsizers, but with both bungalows and cottages in such short supply, you may struggle to find such a property when searching the market. This is one reason that we are seeing a growing number of retirees opting to buy a park home."
