Phil Spencer has shared the 10 cheapest rural areas to live in the UK

The UK is home to some of the most beautiful rural areas in Europe, but some of these idyllic towns and villages come with a hefty price tag. The Cotswolds, the Surrey Hills, and sought-after coastal towns like Salcombe in Devon come with premium property prices. However, buyers looking for a picturesque place on the lower end of the affordability scale don't have to miss out. There are some beautiful parts of the UK that are just as pretty but a lot more affordable.

Property expert and Location, Location, Location star Phil Spencer's Move iQ blog has named the 10 'cheapest rural places to live in the UK in 2026'. The property experts used information from the UK House Price Index, analysing data available as of October 2025. To find the cheapest rural areas to live in the UK, they looked at house prices from November 2024 to November 2025, covering the whole of the UK, including Scotland and Wales.

Do you live in any of these areas? Let us know in the comments.

10. County Durham, North East

House price average: £136,683

The most affordable homes in County Durham are terraced houses, making it an ideal spot for first-time buyers.

The area is home to the third-oldest university in England, beautiful countryside and UNESCO World Heritage sites.

If you're looking to buy in County Durham, Darlington is the biggest area, but there's also the city of Durham, which is home to the Romanesque Durham Cathedral and Norman Durham Castle.

There are also plenty of pretty market towns and idyllic villages in the area too including Barnard Castle, Brancepeth, Escomb, Bishop Auckland and Chester-le-Street.

9. Blackpool, Lancashire

House price average: £136,368

Located on the Lancashire coastline, Blackpool is known for its bustling seaside, sandy beaches, iconic promenade and famous tower.

While Blackpool itself is fairly busy, especially in the summer, there are rural areas around Blackpool that are more suitable for rural living. Lytham St Annes is located south of Blackpool and is filled with charming Victorian properties and a pretty promenade, adjacent to a green space featuring the iconic 19th-century Lytham Windmill.

For somewhere more inland, buyers could try Downham in the Ribble Valley, widely considered one of Lancashire's most beautiful and unspoilt villages.

Detached homes in Blackpool have an average price of £235,704, while semi-detached properties average £159,846. These prices make Blackpool a practical option for both families and first-time buyers.

8. Hartlepool, County Durham

House price average: £135,221

Hartlepool is a port town by the sea and is the perfect location for those looking to enjoy both the coast and the countryside.

The old town was founded in the 7th century around the monastery of Hartlepool Abbey. The town is primarily known for its rich maritime history and its 19th-century shipbuilding hub, but there are also some beautiful areas.

Seaton Carew beach, a sandy beach with scenic views, is a beautiful spot, and Hart Warren Dunes, is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and one of the most unique dune systems in the UK.

7. East Ayrshire, Scotland

House price average: £133,938

East Ayrshire is a great spot if you're looking to settle into a pretty town or village such as Kilmarnock. The area is filled with idyllic villages with great connections to major cities.

Cumnock, Stewarton and Darvel are just some of the towns in the area that could be ideal for families and first-time buyers.

According to Rightmove, house prices in Darvel averaged £120,066 over the last year. In Stewarton and Cumnock, house prices averaged £198,856 and £130,192, respectively, over the last year.

6. Hyndburn, Lancashire

House price average: £133,848

Located between Blackburn and Burnley, it is known for its stunning surroundings and riverside views, with the River Hyndburn passing through the district.

The borough's largest town is Accrington, but other towns include Clayton-le-Moors, Great Harwood, Oswaldtwistle and Rishton.

If you're looking for a day out, Accrington is home to Haworth Art Gallery, which houses the largest collection in Europe of Tiffany glass from the studio of Louis Comfort Tiffany.

5. North Ayrshire, Scotland

House price average: £133,398

North Ayrshire is perfect for those who are looking for the best of both worlds: countryside, coastlines and terrific beaches. There are multiple towns in the area, as well as the Isle of Arran and Great and Little Cumbrae.

The Isle of Arran would be ideal for those seeking rural living, while Largs and Irvine would suit buyers who want access to local amenities.

Buyers looking for a home in the area can expect to pay around £156,426 for a semi-detached house.

4. Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire

House price average: £132,688

The fourth-cheapest location on the list, Hull, is a great city rich in maritime history and offers opportunities to embrace modern living.

However, if you're looking for a more rural location, there's the Yorkshire Wolds, Humber Estuary and plenty of scenic countryside just a short drive from the city centre.

Some of the charming towns nestled in the rolling hills include Beverley, Driffield, Pocklington, and Market Weighton.

Hull offers some of the most affordable homes in the UK, making it attractive to buyers who want good value while still enjoying convenient access to shops, schools, and other amenities. The average cost of a detached home in the city is £240,258.

3. Burnley, Lancashire

House price average: £130,826

Burnley itself may not be rural, but it's surrounded by some of the most beautiful countryside spots in the UK, including the Forest of Bowland AONB and the Yorkshire Dales and National Park.

According to Rightmove, the majority of properties sold in Burnley over the last year were terraced, selling for an average price of £100,872. Semi-detached properties sold for an average of £187,764, with detached properties fetching £287,225.

2. West Dunbartonshire, Scotland

House price average: £123,934

In second place is West Dunbartonshire in Scotland. The area stretches from the banks of the River Clyde to the shores of Loch Lomond and is steeped in history.

If you're looking to live a truly rural lifestyle, this is the place for you. The area has walking trails, loch-side views and open countryside in abundance, making it an ideal spot for outdoorsy individuals.

However, there are excellent transport links to nearby Glasgow, allowing residents to enjoy both the city's bustle and the countryside.

Homes remain particularly affordable, with the average terraced house price around £141,193.

1. Inverclyde, Scotland

House price average: £112,671

Sitting at the mouth of the River Clyde, Inverclyde is the most affordable rural area in the UK, according to Move iQ.

If you're a golf-lover, this could be the ideal spot for you, as there are six golf courses in the area with breathtaking views of the river. Wild swimming, sailing and rowing are also popular activities for outdoor enthusiasts.

The average cost for a terraced house is just shy of £127,749, making it a great option for first-time buyers and families looking for a rural lifestyle.