Looking to escape to the country? These are the most affordable rural retreats

Trade in the rat race for the rolling hills

 

Everyone has a dream of ditching the city rat race and escaping to the countryside. In the UK, this rural dream is even more appealing thanks to the stunning rolling green hills, forests and beaches scattered throughout our lovely countryside.

Related: These are the cheapest places to live in the UK in 2018

Unfortunately, the pound signs that flash before your eyes when you hear the phrase ‘country home’ can sometimes put a pin in these dreams. But luckily, not every rural retreat will require you to shell out a fortune for a kitchen with a view and a peaceful bedroom.

MoveIQ has done the hard work for you and taken a deep dive into some of the country's most picturesque postcodes to reveal the 10 cheapest rural places to live in the UK.

Top 10 cheapest rural places to live

1. Wyre, North West

rural places with mountain view

(Image credit: LukeP77/ Getty)

Topping the list of the cheapest rural places to live in the UK was Wyre in the North West of England. Nestled in the Lancashire area close to the River Wrye, a home here will on average set you back just £79,703.

2. East Ayrshire, Scotland

East Ayrshire in the Scottish borders came in second place, with a home in one of its many villages costing you around £82,902. This is very much part of undiscovered Scotland, with villages filled with period properties and plenty of character.

3. Copeland, North West

lake view from mountain area

(Image credit: John Finney photography/ Moment/ Getty)

Located along the Western Lake Distract area, you can expect to find plenty of sandy beaches, sprawling valleys, scenic rivers and lakes in Copeland. The area also happens to be home to the highest mountain and lake in England. A flat in this gorgeous area costs on average £84,494, making it one of the easiest areas in the UK to save for a deposit.

4. Western Isles, Scotland

The 130-mile-long archipelago made up of over 200 islands might be a little out of the way for some. However, if you are a fan of fishing, weaving and crofting you could join the islands 27,000 inhabitants and purchase a flat for £93,170. However, you might need to brush up on your Gaelic.

5.County Durham, North East

house exterior with brick walls and metal fencing

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Katie Lee)

This area is probably best known for being home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the third oldest university in England. Surprisingly, the area's most affordable housing comes in the form of a terraced house. Scooping one up in County Durham will set you back just £96,574, making it perfect for young families.

See below to see the rest of the list:

6. Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland
7. Carmarthenshire, Wales
8. Highland, Scotland
9. Allerdale, North West
10. Shetland Islands, Scotland

Related: The cheapest places to buy and rent in the UK – find them with this new price comparison tool

Have you been inspired to start plotting your escape to the countryside?

Rebecca Knight
Deputy Editor, Digital

Rebecca Knight has been the Deputy Editor on the Ideal Home Website since 2022. She graduated with a Masters degree in magazine journalism from City, University of London in 2018, before starting her journalism career as a staff writer on women's weekly magazines. She fell into the world of homes and interiors after joining the Ideal Home website team in 2019 as a Digital Writer. In 2020 she moved into position of Homes News Editor working across Homes & Gardens, LivingEtc, Real Homes, Gardeningetc and Ideal Home covering everything from the latest viral cleaning hack to the next big interior trend.