With the Covid-19 pandemic persisting throughout 2021, many of the benefits that come with city living diminished while the drawbacks remained.
For example, convenience needn’t be a factor when you can’t leave your house, while having lots of things to do nearby didn’t matter since everything was closed.
Over the last couple of years, many Brits realised that they wanted a little more space to call home, so went in search of larger properties with gardens that were further from the cities. This led many to look in parts of Wales, Cumbria, and beyond to find a new home.
But what areas were searched the most on Rightmove in 2021 (according to the Guardian), and what might have pulled potential movers towards them? Read on to find out more.
1. Rhos-on-Sea, Wales
Taking the top spot for most searched town is the beautiful seaside settlement of Rhos-on-Sea on the northern Welsh coastline. Rhos-on-Sea ranked in first place throughout 2021, until lockdowns started to ease toward the end of the year and London re-took the crown.
Rhos-on-Sea sits between the two major towns of Colwyn Bay and Llandudno and boasts sand and shingle beaches, a small harbour, and the Welsh Mountain Zoo on its doorstep.
2. Brighton and Hove, Sussex
Hove was combined with Brighton in the year 2000 when it was granted city status, making the seaside resort one of only two cities in all of Sussex. Brighton and Hove has been a holiday hotspot since before even the Victorian era, so much so that King George IV built his own pleasure palace there in 1787.
Modern day Brighton benefits from a true mix of old and new, with classic Victorian seaside architecture lining the promenade and a modern and international culture at the heart of the city.
3. Chadlington, Oxfordshire Cotswolds
The tiny village of Chadlington in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds has a population of less than a thousand according to the 2011 census, but it has plenty of charm. Though the village is mostly made up of traditional stone country houses, it also has an 18th-century manor house and Norman church.
Chadlington is also situated right next to the location of Jeremy Clarkson’s popular farming show Clarkson’s Farm, which could have contributed towards the high search rate.
4. Breage, Cornwall
20 miles west of Land’s End in Cornwall sits the civil parish and village of Breage. Home to approximately 3,000 people and a 12th-century church, Breage is a quiet, traditional English village not far from the coast.
Though the list of attractions in Breage is limited, the pull of a large living space and natural surroundings may have lured many city dwellers to the appeal of countryside living.
5. The Isle of Man
The Isle of Man is an island sandwiched between the coasts of England and Ireland with a population of about 84,000. It is known for its multiple medieval castles, stunning rural and mountainous landscape, and Celtic and Viking heritage.
Plus, the Isle of Man has its own individual tax system, and doesn’t charge its residents Capital Gains Tax, Inheritance Tax, or Stamp Duty.
6. Frizington, Cumbria
Frizington is a small village in Cumbria, not far from the Lake District national park, with a population of around 3,500. Surrounded by beautiful countryside scenery, Frizington’s natural beauty shines throughout every season.
But if that isn’t enough, the village also has a go-karting track and multiple campsites to visit nearby if you’re feeling adventurous.
7. Huntly, Aberdeenshire
Known for its castle and its traditional architecture, Huntly is a quaint stone village perched on the Deveron River in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It has a population of about 5,000, and they are spoiled for choice when it comes to outdoor activities.
Huntly Castle, an outdoor activity centre, a falconry centre, and several gardens and woods to explore are just a few options the locals have every day, and there’s even a distillery to enjoy.
8. Millport, Great Cumbrae
Millport is a harbour town on the island of Great Cumbrae, just off the Ayrshire coast of west Scotland. With beautiful views of mainland Scotland and some of the surrounding islands, Millport is certainly not short on sights.
Some of the most beautiful and strangest include a cathedral, an aquarium, one of the narrowest houses in the world, and a rock that looks like a crocodile.
9. Thorpeness, Suffolk
The coastal village of Thorpeness in Suffolk was originally nothing more than a small fishing community, but the area was redesigned to be a holiday destination in the early 20th century. Now, it is famous for its multicoloured houses and fantasy-like architecture.
The seafront is lined with multicoloured buildings, and the local forests are fun to explore, but the feature that stands out the most is the two-storey house mounted on a large black pillar. Known as the House in the Clouds, the building functions as a water tower and was designed to hide the tank that poked above the surrounding trees.
10. Allonby, Cumbria
Allonby in Cumbria is a seaside village with a predicted population of less than 500. Not only does the village have traditional cobbled lanes and old-style houses, but it also has long sandy beaches and stunning views of the southern Scottish mountains across the Solway Estuary.
The village is also within touching distance of the Lake District, making Allonby about as far from city living as you can imagine. Despite having no real claim to fame, the desire for more space and scenery must have been strong to put Allonby at tenth on the “most searched” list.
Get in touch
If you’re looking to relocate or downsize your home, consider speaking with a professional to find the right option for you. Email enquire@london-money.co.uk or call us at 0207 808 4120 to find out more.