With house prices and family necessities rising, it is more important than ever for parents to pick the right place to raise their children. OneFamily has compiled a list of the top 20 areas in England and Wales for families to live.
The Family Hotspots Report takes into account 71 sets of data, under the categories of education, property, safety, childcare, amenities and population.
If you’re looking to buy/rent a home, or purchase an investment property to let to families, here are the postcodes you should consider:
- Burscough, Lancashire – L40
This is the first year Burscough has been included in the top 20. The large village in west Lancashire houses around 18,000 people. The average two-bedroom home here costs below average, at £159,311 and the average salary is high, at £22,662. There is also a low crime rate in the town.
- Driffield, Yorkshire – YO25
The rural market town of Driffield is home to 33,000 people. It is known as the birthplace of Mick Woodmansey, the drummer from David Bowie’s The Spider from Mars. House prices are around £128,354.
- Shotley Gate, Suffolk – IP9
A coastal village with a population of 11,000, Shotley Gate has a strong Viking heritage and is a popular destination for tourists and walkers. The average two-bed house here costs £191,178.
- Bury, Lancashire – BL8
On the outskirts of Manchester, this market town has an average property price of £115,044. Bury was the home of Sir Robert Peel, a Victorian prime minister and founder of the Metropolitan Police.
- Colyton, Devon – EX24
Less than 4,000 people live in this coastal town, which is famous for being the most rebellious town in Devon, due to the amount of locals that took part in the Monmouth Rebellion in 1685, an attempt to overthrow King James II. House prices are above average, at £216,962.
- Fleet, Hampshire – GU51
Fleet railway station is on the Southampton to Waterloo route and with high average salaries of £30,020, this Hampshire town is an affordable option for those looking to commute the 36 miles to London. Homes are slightly more expensive, at an average of £262,553, but the town has a beer festival, food festival and half marathon.
- Crediton, Devon – EX17
Families are attracted to this town of 19,000 inhabitants due to its low crime rates and above average school results. A two-bed home costs just £170,678 and charming countryside and the fishing area around Creedy Lakes surround the town.
- Clitheroe, Lancashire – BB7
This market town, of 14,000 people, has annual spring, food and jazz festivals as well as a local castle and a famous sausage shop, selling over 70 varieties. Homes cost around £140,000 and the town has three secondary schools.
- Cullompton, Devon – EX15
A short commute to Exeter and Bristol, Cullompton was mentioned in King Alfred’s will and hosts the oldest farmers’ market in the South West. Children will love the local Diggerland and the average two-bed house costs £160,271.
- Carterton, Oxfordshire – OX18
Above average wages of £23,447 make up for the higher average house price in this town of £234,146. The west Oxfordshire town has a population of 25,000 and is just 14 miles from Oxford.
- Cheadle, Staffordshire – ST10
This commuter town is halfway between Manchester and Birmingham, attracting 25,000 people to the area. A two-bed property costs just £125,695.
- Middlewich, Cheshire – CW10
Located on the Shropshire Union Canal, this town has a population of 14,000 and is 19 miles from Chester.
- St Bees, Cumbria – CA27
St Bees was the top of last year’s list due to its high average salary of £26,140 and affordable property price of £141,204. Just 1,800 people live in this village, but the local school educated actor Rowan Atkinson. The village also has an annual fete, flower show and tractor procession.
- Shebbear, Devon – EX21
Growing house prices knocked this rural village of 5,000 people out of the top 20 in the last few years, but Shebbear and its outstanding early years childcare facilities, and the lowest crime rate in the top 20, is back on the list.
- Longridge, Lancashire – PR8
Longridge was originally a quarry town and is now home to 38,000 people. The Ribble Valley location draws locals in with its nine pubs, a choice of schools, a public library and a monthly farmers’ market.
- Lower Earley, Berkshire – RG6
House prices in this town are higher than the average, at £253,683 for a two-bed. This is caused by its close proximity to Reading and Windsor. Lower Earley is down from last year’s ranking.
- Oakham, Rutland – LE15
Oakham is set around the 14th century All Saints Church. Its school was the training ground of England cricketer Stuart Broad. A two-bed house here costs £166,947.
- Faringdon, Oxfordshire – SN7
Faringdon is the alleged death-place of Alfred the Great. It was also the South East’s first Fairtrade town and hosts an annual arts festival every summer. The average house in the market town costs £202,845.
- Winscombe, Somerset – BS25
Winscombe residents have the Mendip Hills on their doorstep – the setting for several Thomas Hardy novels. It is appealing to families, due to its village square, local businesses, good childcare and schools, and low crime rates.
- Wokingham, Berkshire – RG41
Wokingham is the best place in England and Wales to raise a family. Around 28,000 people live in the historic market town, which is just 33 miles west of central London. It is the location of the Vicar of Dibley and the birthplace of Will Young. It has a high average salary of £27,362 and very low crime rates.