Affordable Countryside Gems Challenge Iconic Cotswolds

In the past year, the Cotswolds region has seen a significant rise in property prices, with the average home now exceeding £447,000 and detached houses going for over £700,000. This, combined with an influx of tourists and a trend for modern makeovers on traditional homes, has led to a gradual draining of the area's charm.

However, buyers are now recognizing that numerous other regions of southern England can provide a similar countryside lifestyle at a more accessible price point. Areas like Lincolnshire, Wiltshire, and Warwickshire, collectively dubbed the "Notswolds," are emerging as hot contenders, offering rolling hills, historic market towns, and attractive limestone villages, often with better value for money.

These alternative regions are attracting growing interest from digital nomads and remote professionals seeking a lifestyle-led move. With improved transport links and a vibrant sense of community, they are proving to be appealing options for those priced out of the Cotswolds. Counties like Rutland, Northamptonshire, and Somerset are also seeing renewed attention as buyers search for the "Cotswolds feel" at more wallet-friendly prices.