Kent is known as the garden of England for its beautiful scenery and abundance of natural produce. England’s fifth-largest county by population with more than 1.8 million people, Kent is a popular county thanks to its gorgeous countryside, charming towns and proximity to London. If you’re searching for property in Kent, start by reading our ranking of the best new build homes for sale in the county.
Where is Kent?
Located to the south-east of London, Kent is perfect for commuters, while also enjoying some 350 miles of coastline. Large swathes of the county are within protected rural conservation areas. These include the Kent Downs and High Weald Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Kent provides superb rail links to London, with several of its major towns attracting plenty of commuters. The central town of Ashford boasts a high-speed rail link to London St. Pancras. There are also excellent road connections, including the M20 and the M2. The motorways span this large county and connect the M25 and London to the coast.
Living in Kent
Kent has always been a popular choice with families, and particularly commuters. The county offers excellent access to central London by rail or road, while it’s a relatively safe place with a great choice of schools.
Kent provides a mix of rural and urban living. The rural landscape is interspersed with the major urban centres of Maidstone, Ashford, Dartford and the large unitary authority of Medway. There are also a host of smaller towns and the historic cathedral and university city of Canterbury. History is never far away in Kent. The county has some of England’s most spectacular castles and stately homes. These include Leeds Castle, Dover Castle and Hever, the childhood home of Ann Boleyn.
Kent’s rural areas provide a variety of different settings. The typical image of the Kent countryside shows rolling fields and hills, filled with orchards, hop gardens and the distinctive conical-shaped oast houses. The county also includes the winding River Medway. The White Cliffs of Dover and several beautiful beaches dot the stunning coastline. If you’re looking for breathtaking seclusion, consider the windswept Isle of Sheppey or Romney Marsh. On opposite sides of the county, both provide a peaceful escape in sites of environmental and ecological importance.
Kent’s towns and cities
Spanning approximately 60 miles from east to west, the county provides a choice of different areas to live in. Closest to London is Dartford, sitting inside the M25 and providing superb access to the city and the Bluewater shopping mall. The west of the county has the affluent, leafy commuter towns of Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells. Each of the towns has its own charm and excellent state and private schools. All three are within 45 minutes of central London by train.
The central part of Kent has the larger towns of Ashford and the county town of Maidstone. These towns, joined by the M20, are well-connected centres for industry and commerce in the county. They both provide an excellent choice of shops and leisure facilities. Medway is the most populous area of the county. Although it doesn’t fall under the Kent local authority, Medway is historically and geographically a part of the county. It is home to the most culturally diverse population in the region.
Towards the east of the county is Canterbury, with its two universities and historic cathedral. There are also trendy coastal towns in Whitstable and Deal, as well as the up-and-coming traditional seaside resort towns of Margate, Ramsgate and Broadstairs. The south-east coastal area of the county has the major port of Dover and the bustling seaside town of Folkestone.
Average property prices in Kent
Kent offers a range of options for home buyers. The different areas of Kent provide a choice to suit all budgets, while there is a wealth of new build homes for sale across the county. In February 2022, the average property price in Kent was £413,220. This is significantly higher than the UK average of £268,000.
Terraced houses formed the majority of sales in Kent in the 12 months to February 2022. The average price of a terraced house in Kent is £347,314. House prices in Kent increased by 6% in the previous year, which is slightly below the national average growth of 10%.
New build homes in Kent: 10 best developments
With its beautiful rolling countryside, extensive coastline and excellent commuter links, its no wonder Kent is such a popular place to live and work. Below you’ll find our ranking of Kent’s top 10 new build homes for sale. Verified residents have rated the developments on a variety of factors. As such, HomeViews can provide rankings based on the real life experience of living in each one. Read on to learn more about the highest rated new build homes across Kent.
*PLEASE NOTE these rankings take into account how many reviews a scheme has and how recently those reviews have been submitted, so may not match the overall star ratings shown. Buildings with a larger number of more recent reviews are given a greater weighting to reflect current building performance – as on our area guide pages.
4.41 (11 reviews)
4.41 (11 reviews)
The number one development for new build homes in Kent is Holborough Lakes. This new development of two-bedroom apartments and three and four-bedroom homes is conveniently located between the M20 and the M2, and within easy reach of Medway and Maidstone. Set around a series of freshwater lakes with attractive landscaping, the development offers an excellent range of facilities. All homes benefit from spacious open-plan living areas and private gardens with lawns and patios.
3.97 (19 reviews)
3.97 (19 reviews)
In second place is Victory Pier by Berkeley Homes. Located in Gillingham, the development offers a range of apartments on the waterfront of an expanding community. Additionally, residents benefit from access to a private residents’ gym and lounge. Victory Pier is a mixed residential and retail scheme, providing shops right on its doorstep. There are also convenient connections to central London.
3.96 (24 reviews)
3.96 (24 reviews)
Watling Place is a collection of new homes in the small historic village of Newington, Kent. This development has a range of two, three, four and five-bedroom homes. The towns of Rainham and Sittingbourne are nearby, as is the beautiful open countryside of the Kent Downs.
3.70 (30 reviews)
3.70 (30 reviews)
Mascalls Grange is a new development located in the small town of Paddock Wood, near Tunbridge Wells. Surrounded by countryside but with excellent links to the city, the development offers convenience alongside rural living. From one-bedroom apartments to five-bedroom houses, the development has a wide range of property styles to suit everyone.
4.43 (7 reviews)
4.43 (7 reviews)
In fifth place is Blossom Grove, a collection of two, three and four-bedroom homes in the ancient village of Teynham. The development offers spacious living within a countryside setting. Sittingbourne and the market town of Faversham are within easy reach, as is the M2, providing links to the M25 and London beyond.
4.33 (8 reviews)
4.33 (8 reviews)
Sixth place is occupied by the Rochester Riverside regeneration project. This £419m development is being delivered by Countryside and Hyde over 12 years. The development is just moments from Rochester station and High Street, with views across the River Medway.
4.23 (8 reviews)
4.23 (8 reviews)
Kingsmead is a development of two, three and four-bedroom homes in the bustling market town of Faversham, Kent. The homes are built to a high standard with modern living in mind. Faversham town centre is less than a mile away, while the development is just moments from the beautiful rolling Kent countryside.
4.11 (8 reviews)
4.11 (8 reviews)
Stour Meadows is a collection of two and three-bedroom new build houses, situated in the new village of Finberry in Ashford. The homes have been built to a high standard with modern living in mind. The local amenities of Ashford are within easy reach, as is Ashford International Station, with its Eurostar terminal and fast links to London St. Pancras.
3.82 (5 reviews)
3.82 (5 reviews)
Hollyfields is a new development of two-bedroom coach houses and three, four and five-bedroom family homes in sought-after Hawkenbury, just over a mile from Tunbridge Wells town centre. Affluent Tunbridge Wells has a wealth of boutique shops and independent cafés, while its mainline station provides connections to London Bridge in 44 minutes.
3.54 (7 reviews)
3.54 (7 reviews)
In tenth place in the rankings is Conningbrook Lakes. Located in Ashford, the development is a partnership between Latimer and Westerhill Homes. Conningbrook Lakes offers a variety of homes to suit all tastes. The homes have been designed to encompass the best of the lakes and country park setting, while Ashford town centre, Ashford International Station and the M20 are all within easy reach.
Read reviews and details of Latimer at Conningbrook Lakes, TN24
Would you like to find out more about life in Kent? If you’re searching for property in Kent, take a look at our guide to the county below. From there, you’ll be able to find all the latest new build developments across the county. You’ll also learn more about the different benefits of living in this sought-after corner of England.
HomeViews provides verified resident reviews of the UK’s housing developments. We’re working with developers, house builders, operators, housing associations and the Government to recognise high performers and help improve standards in the built environment.
The post New build homes for sale: Kent’s highest rated appeared first on HomeViews.