Best countryside home locations in the UK

I like to think that if most people were given the choice between a countryside or a city home, they’d choose the country. Not everyone has a country heart, but there are some truly beautiful towns and villages in the UK that so many people have never explored, or even heard of.

We’re very lucky that we live in a small village just outside of Chester. I like to think we have the best of both worlds – a city just 10 minutes away but also the quaint village with a church and a pub. We can hear the cows mooing at night, and the church bells chiming the hour.

If you dream of having your own slice of rural idyll, then you’re in luck. Here in the UK, we’re spoiled for choice when it comes to beautiful countryside. Here are some of the top locations for those looking to escape to the country.

 

Lake District, Cumbria

The Lake District is England’s largest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Not only is the area a popular tourist destination, but it’s also a fantastic place to live. And it’s one of my favourite places to visit in the country.

We’ve had numerous holidays in Keswick, usually going every year for the beer festival. But now we have Hallie, things have changed and we visit at other times of the year too.

 

With spectacular views of lakes, mountains and miles and miles of unspoiled countryside, the Lake District is a haven for those who enjoy getting outdoors, particularly walkers, cyclists and watersports enthusiasts.

There are also thriving towns, such as Kirby Lonsdale, Keswick and Bowness-on-Windemere. If this sounds like your cup of tea, you could opt for one of the new build homes in Cumbria, and experience the Lakes’ excellent quality of life for yourself.

 

Cotswolds

The Cotswolds covers a vast area of approximately 800 square miles through five counties in the South of England (Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire). Each area has its own identity but they all have one thing in common – the quintessential English cottages, and the rolling hills (or ‘wolds’).

With beautiful scenery like something from a picture postcard, the Cotswolds has long been a desirable place to visit, but it’s also an increasingly popular place to put down roots. With excellent schools, great employment opportunities, and excellent transport links, many homebuyers are choosing the Cotswolds as a place to settle and raise a family, away from the hustle and bustle of London but still within easy reach for work or shopping.

 

Cornwall

Cornwall is famed for being one of the UK’s most desirable holiday hotspots, and according to the 2021 census data, Cornwall has the highest number of holiday homes in the UK.

However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t a great place to live year-round too. In fact, many celebrities choose to do just that, including Dawn French, Tori Amos and Richard and Judy.

Cornwall is a great spot to choose if you want both a rural and coastal location. With wild, windswept countryside like Bodmin Moor, and one of the longest stretches of coastline in the world, residents have limitless options for exploring the great outdoors. There’s also a thriving arts and culture scene, with many museums, galleries and festivals. Foodies will also be delighted, not just with local offerings such as Cornish pasties and cream teas, but by the fresh seafood and delightful restaurants, including Michelin-starred establishments.

We’ve also been on holiday in Cornwall for the last two years in a row. The first year I was pregnant and the second year, Hallie was about 8 months old. We’ve only ever stayed in Perranport, a small place about 20 minutes from Newquay.

 

It’s such a huge place, there are tons of villages and towns around, each with their own incredible history.

 

Yorkshire

Whether you want the wind-swept rugged cliffs of the North Yorkshire coast, the cobbled streets and rolling hills of Brontë country or your own rural retreat in the Yorkshire Dales, England’s biggest county has something to offer everyone looking for a countryside home.

Yorkshire even has its own day – Yorkshire Day on 1st August every year. Big on regional pride, the area has a lot to offer newcomers, including easy access to big cities such as York, Sheffield, and Leeds, great schools and good house prices. But by far the biggest draw for many people choosing to move to the Yorkshire countryside is the improved quality of life, and being able to take life at a slower pace.

 

We have never regretted our move (slightly) away from the city and into the country. It’s been a wonderful decision for us as a family, and we’ll only reap the benefits as the kids get older. We feel totally safe, they can play out in the road and it’s lovely and peaceful.