Guildford in Surrey has been crowned as the best rural destination to relocate to in the UK, thanks to its average property price, highest earning potential for residents, hours of sunlight and number of restaurants.
The research, which was conducted by the team at Compare My Move, ranked over 70 popular rural towns and villages in England and Wales, based on factors including average house price, median salary, hours of sunlight, rainfall, download speed and number of restaurants.
While Surrey took the top spot, the beautiful cathedral city of St. Albans in Hertfordshire came second place — a place famed for its rich history.
The most affordable rural location is the northern market town of Barnard Castle, which has the lowest average house price of £188,327. Meanwhile, Chichester was found to be the city with the most amount of sunlight.
Planning to relocate? Take a look at the full list below...
20 best countryside towns and villages to move to in the UK
- Guildford, Surrey (87.45 score in the study)
- St. Albans, Hertfordshire (86.48)
- Shere, Surrey (85.52)
- Dorchester-on-Thames, Oxfordshire (81.43)
- Wallingford, Oxfordshire (77.83)
- Caversham, Berkshire (77.44)
- Leamington Spa, Leamington Spa (76.78)
- Alresford, Hampshire (76.44)
- Aylesford, Kent (75.51)
- Ingatestone, Essex (74.92)
- West Mersea, Essex (74.60)
- Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (74.13)
- Epping, Essex (74.13)
- Farnham, Surrey (73.79)
- Altrincham, Greater Manchester (72.28)
- Chichester, West Sussex (72.94)
- Deal, Kent (72.07)
- Bishop's Waltham, Hampshire (72.03)
- Sevenoaks, Kent (71.11)
- Uppingham, Rutland (70.18)
"The coronavirus pandemic has seen many people reconsidering their living situation, with a large number of city dwellers ditching urban living and relocating to rural areas for a slower-paced life in the beautiful English countryside," Dave Sayce, Managing Director at Compare My Move, says.
"It's easy to see why people are choosing a quiet life in the country as the UK is home to some of the world's most beautiful rural towns and villages. It's not surprising to see the top rural destinations are near London, with the likes of Guildford and St Albans proving popular places for Londoners to escape to, whilst having the benefit of quick and easy transport links into the city."
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18 beautiful Christmas ornaments to buy for the festive season
Bring the outdoors in with this charming felt reindeer tree decoration. Sporting a green scarf, he has a bright red nose and hangs from jute string.
Jan Constantine Alpine Skier Man Embroidered Wool Cushion
Jazz up your sofa or bed with this charming embroidered wool cushion. It features a man skiing down a snow-covered slope with mountains and trees as a backdrop.
Conjure a festive spirit around your tree with this beautiful glass bell bauble. Hung from velvet ribbon, it is crafted from swirled glass and will add an elegant feel to any branch.
How gorgeous is this white and baby blue present? In Wedgwood's signature blue colouring, it's made from white porcelain and can be reused every year.
Dachshund through the snow...This sweet hanging decoration from the Country Living Marketplace is what every dog owner needs.
We're big fans of these white baubles, perfect for adding an opulent touch to the tree. In a pack of four, each one features a unique tortoiseshell finish.
The dove is a traditional Christmas tree decoration that symbolises peace, purity and love. A truly beautiful tree ornament, these doves are made from porcelain and are presented in a stylish white gift box.
lakeland Large Ceramic House Lantern Ornament with LED Tealight
Place this large ceramic house on your windowsill for a decorative glow. Featuring one LED tealight, it casts a warm light through its star cut-outs.
This set of two snowflake Christmas ornaments has a rustic feel to it. Beautifully carved from wood, they have an intricate cut-out pattern and will spruce up any sideboard or bookshelf.
Nothing says Merry Christmas quite like a string of twinkling lights. Looking for something more unique? Oliver Bonas is here to make your days merry and bright with this unique bell garland, featuring delicate gold-toned bells and 80 warm LED lights.
No Christmas is complete without a traditional nutcracker decoration. Crafted from pinewood, he has a traditional feel and is complete with shimmering detail.
50cm Blue Berry Christmas Wreath Micro Light Bundle
Spruce up your front door with this berry Christmas wreath. Measuring 50cm and crafted from realistic faux foliage, it has been finished with a pretty velvet bow.
Pop presents in this gorgeous striped sack from M&S. It has a handy tiestring to keep prying little fingers out.
Create a cosy winter scene at home with these three LED Christmas houses. Operated by battery, they emit a soft glow that evokes the warmth of a snug holiday home.
Fill this hessian stocking with treats for the family to open on Christmas morning.
Shake this snow globe to see the Christmas scene covered in white dusting. It features Christmas trees, a merry snowman and his animal friends.
Keep your hallway floor clean with this snowflake doormat. Made from coir, it has a black border around the outside.
Reusable advent calendars are excellent ways to count down until Christmas Day. Shaped like a tree, this wooden style from Very features 24 removable drawers, each boasting its own hand-painted design.
