The region in Britain named 'cheapest' place to buy a cottage with homes costing £83k

The cheapest place to buy a cottage in Britain has been revealed, with a modest average asking price of £83,000. The former industrial heartland of North Lanarkshire, Scotland, might not be somewhere people typically think of when it comes to buying a cottage, but it tops the chart when it comes to affordability, according to new analysis by property website Zoopla.

North Lanarkshire, just east of Glasgow, is home to towns including Motherwell, Wishaw and Airdrie. Its hilly landscape and nature reserves make it a good place for walkers, while the nearby hustle and bustle of Glasgow and Edinburgh means it is a potential option for commuters. Cottages in the area are considerably cheaper than in the rest of Britain - Sunderland came second in the affordability list with properties on average costing £115,000.

Zoopla said demand for cottages is increasing, with 'cottage' being the fourth most searched for term on its website in 2024.

It said this has been amplified by the COVID pandemic, which propelled the desire for a simpler lifestyle in typically less built-up areas.

Daniel Copley, from Zoopla, said: "Our data shows a clear and sustained appetite for the 'cottagecore' lifestyle, a trend that shows no signs of slowing down.

"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."

He added: "Whether you're a first-time buyer or looking for a change of pace, the cottage market offers diverse opportunities."

Zoopla's research found that cottages in the south-east of England command the highest prices.

The most expensive cottages are in Slough, with an average asking price of £824,500.

It said while the town- which has strong transport links with London - itself is a busy urban area, its location on the Berkshire and Buckinghamshire border means it is surrounded by desirable and historic villages offering a more traditional, "chocolate-box" look.

Other regions also have a cottage premium - Welwyn Hatfield in the East of England and North Warwickshire in the West Midlands have an average asking price for a cottage of £662,500 and £615,000 respectively.

The largest concentration of cottages is found in rural and coastal areas, according to Zoopla.

In the Derbyshire Dales in the East Midlands, 21% of all homes for sale are cottages with an average asking price of £310,000.

This is followed by Gwynedd in Wales, where cottages make up 19% of homes on the market and have an average price of £244,000.

Perhaps surprisingly, the Cotswolds, the home of the "chocolate-box" village look, is in fifth place for this metric.

Average asking prices for cottages in the area are pricier at £525,000.