"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"
- Daniel Copley - Zoopla
New data from property website Zoopla highlights the most affordable places to purchase a cottage in Great Britain, with North Lanarkshire in Scotland topping the list. The average asking price for a cottage in the area stands at £83,500. Sunderland in the North East follows closely behind, where buyers can expect to pay around £115,000 on average.
The popularity of the cottagecore aesthetic has grown in recent years, driven in part by the COVID-19 pandemic. The movement promotes a romanticised rural lifestyle and has gained traction, particularly among younger generations. On Zoopla, ‘cottage’ was the fourth most searched term in 2024, while the hashtag has garnered over 6.2 million posts on Instagram and 2.1 million on TikTok.
However, not all parts of the UK offer the same level of affordability. The South East commands some of the highest prices, with Slough emerging as the most expensive location in the analysis. Here, the average asking price for a cottage is £824,500. Although Slough is an urban centre, its proximity to villages such as Stoke Poges and Datchet, known for their traditional architecture and rural charm, drives up property values in the area.
Several other regions also carry a cottage premium. In Welwyn Hatfield, East of England, the average asking price is £662,500. North Warwickshire in the West Midlands follows, with cottages listed at £615,000 on average. Further north, York sees cottage prices at a median of £400,000, comparable to South Northamptonshire and Gedling in the East Midlands.
When examining buyer interest, specific areas stand out. Blackburn with Darwen in the North West leads in enquiries, where the average cottage price is £157,500. In the South East, Southampton is attracting strong attention, with cottages averaging £280,000. The city’s combination of urban convenience, waterfront setting, and proximity to the New Forest appeals to buyers seeking a balance of rural and city life.
In Scotland, East Renfrewshire is drawing interest for its high-performing schools and access to Glasgow, while maintaining a relatively low average cottage price of £100,000. Neath Port Talbot in Wales is another area attracting buyers, with properties averaging £170,000, thanks to its coastal scenery and valley landscapes. In Yorkshire and The Humber, Bradford remains a hotspot with average cottage prices of £200,000, offering a combination of cultural history and affordability.
For prospective homeowners focused on availability, some regions offer a higher concentration of cottages on the market. The Derbyshire Dales leads nationally, with cottages making up 21% of all homes listed and a median price of £310,000. In Wales, Gwynedd and Ceredigion follow closely, where 19% and 17% of available homes are cottages, priced at £244,000 and £292,500 respectively.
The South West also features prominently. In the Forest of Dean, 16% of homes for sale are cottages, while the Cotswolds records 15%. These areas are known for their scenic rural settings, with median prices reaching £380,500 in the Forest of Dean and £525,000 in the Cotswolds.
“Our data shows a clear and sustained appetite for the cottagecore lifestyle, a trend that shows no signs of slowing down,” said Daniel Copley, consumer expert at Zoopla. “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.”
“There has always been a fanbase of buyers who appreciate the typically charming designs and quaint surroundings associated with a cottage,” explained Nigel Bishop, founder of buying agency Recoco Property Search. “Many house hunters also express favouring this style of home for size as cottages tend to be smaller than typical country homes and are therefore considered to be more manageable and could reduce running costs."
"Often set in rural locations, buyers need to ensure that the setting works for them long-term as some amenities such as shops and hospitals can be further away which can become inconvenient. Demand for cottages remains strong, however, and house hunters should brace for a competitive property search – particularly for cottages with a lower asking price as they tend to attract multiple offers.”
