If you want comfort, convenience and a nice bit of character all bundled together, Bedfordshire is a great bet. This small but perfectly formed county is well known for its desirable properties in rural settings, along with some highly suitable commuter towns. A great all-rounder, there’s plenty to like even at first glance. Let’s look closer at some of the best new homes in Bedfordshire.
Where is Bedfordshire?
Bedfordshire is a county in the region of East England. This puts it just north of London and the surrounding belt of the ‘Home Counties’. It is bordered by Cambridgeshire to the east and northeast, Northamptonshire to the north, Buckinghamshire to the west and Hertfordshire to the southeast and south.
Why live in Bedfordshire?
Though small in area, Bedfordshire packs a lot into its borders. Its major urban centres, Luton and Bedford, are busily thriving and have a lot to offer. Bedford in particular presents a welcome mix of cosmopolitan convenience and historical charm.
The wider county provides an abundance of wide-open countryside in England’s agricultural heartland. Dotted with very attractive villages sporting thatched roofed cottages, Bedfordshire is a delight to drive through and explore on foot or by bike.
The rivers Ouse and Ivel wind lazily through the county. Along with the many lakes and other waterways, this makes Bedfordshire a great place to indulge in water sports. If you’re into your swimming, sailing, kayaking or even wakeboarding, you won’t be far from a suitable spot in Bedfordshire.
Bedfordshire’s central location is also a plus. Bedford itself is only 50 miles from London, and has great access to the rest of the country via excellent road and rail links. This makes the county highly suitable for commuters and those who like to get out and about across the nation.
Finally, as we’ll see in the next section, you can get a lot of property for your money in Bedfordshire.
What are average property prices in Bedfordshire like?
When it comes to the countywide average, Bedfordshire is relatively expensive for buying residential property. In December 2021, Zoopla recorded the house prices in Bedfordshire at a little over £334,000. Only three months earlier, the ONS had recorded the UK average house price as £270,000, and England’s as being £288,000. This puts Bedfordshire a whole £64,000 and £46,000 above those respective averages.
However, Bedfordshire’s property market has a lot of variety and a lot of sizeable houses. So, behind the big countywide average, there are plenty of more inexpensive prospects to consider. If you’re looking to buy flats in Bedfordshire, expect to pay around £170,000.
Additionally, house and garden sizes here are often more generous than in surrounding counties. The can get a whole lot more bang for your buck in Bedfordshire.
If you want to rent in Bedfordshire, then Bedford itself is one of the best value for money options in the county. Average rental rates in Bedford are around £800-1000 per month, depending on the type of home you’re after.
New homes in Bedfordshire: 5 best developments
If you want to take your musings about living in this delightful county a step further, our list has some of the best new homes in Bedfordshire. Here you’ll find the top-ranked developments on HomeViews, based entirely on reviews from verified residents.
*PLEASE NOTE these rankings take into account how recently reviews have been submitted, so may not match the overall star ratings shown. More recent reviews are given a greater weighting to reflect current building performance.
3.96 (19 reviews)
3.96 (19 reviews)
Top of our list of developments for Bedfordshire is Rutherford Fields. This collection of family homes is conveniently located on the outskirts of the appealing market town of Leighton Buzzard. Not only is the town full of great local atmosphere and amenities, it also gives residents solid commuters routes to the likes of Luton, Oxford and London Euston.
3.79 (20 reviews)
3.79 (20 reviews)
A close second, Hansons Reach is a development by Persimmon Homes situated in Stewartby, south of Bedford. The development lies near the Forest of Marston Vale, meaning that residents have plenty of spectacular nature to observe practically on their doorstep. Several reviewers agree that the development is a great expansion of the original Stewartby village, taking design cues from the original houses, and keeping the original character of the place.
3.72 (17 reviews)
3.72 (17 reviews)
For number 3, it’s time for Luton to shine, with Saxon Square. This is a collection of one and two-bedroom apartments in Luton. There are 223 apartments on offer, all sporting a sleek, stylish modern design. In addition, Saxon Square sits opposite Luton Airport Parkway train station with a free, 5-minute transfer to the airport. This makes travel a breeze, and central London is just a 23-minute train ride away. Perfect for commuters.
4.40 (19 reviews)
4.40 (19 reviews)
Our 4th spot goes to Berry Wood, which was developed by Bellway and is located in Wootton, a desirable village with good commuter links for both Bedford and Milton Keynes. There is a mix of 2-5-bedroom homes on offer, and residents benefit from the nearby leisure attractions and countryside views from many of the plots.
4.80 (based on 1 review)
4.80 (1 review)
Be sure to check back on our list of top new homes in Bedfordshire. We are always adding more developments, and incorporating new reviews from verified residents.
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.
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