The Lake District is one of the most popular holidaymaking destinations in England, but Cumbria has so much more to show visitors and residents alike. Come and see what we mean, as we explore this large, green and uniquely beautiful county. Some of the best new homes in Cumbria can be found right here on our list of top-ranked developments.
Where is Cumbria?
You’ll find Cumbria tucked right into the top left corner of England, the most north-westerly part of the North West. It’s also the second northernmost county in England, after Northumberland, and shares a border with Scotland. Its western border is the Irish Sea, while Durham, North Yorkshire and Lancashire make up the rest of its neighbours.
Why live in Cumbria?
One of the main reasons people decide to move to Cumbria is the stunning scenery. Admittedly, Cumbria has plenty of stiff competition nearby – Yorkshire especially – but it also has the Lake District. This is famous throughout the UK and internationally as one of the jewels in the country’s crown in terms of outstanding natural beauty.
While the lure of the Lake District is strong and well justified, the whole county is something of a treasure trove for nature lovers. It’s practically overflowing with mountains, rivers, lakes, forests and wild coastline. Consequently, Cumbria offers everyone who lives there unmatched access to green spaces, excellent air quality, and variety of wildlife.
As well as the green power of Cumbria, there’s also the welcoming nature of its communities. It’s a predominantly rural county, but it still has plenty of bustling market towns, like Kendal and Penrith, and the city of Carlisle. Tourism is a major industry for the county, and every part of it is geared towards showing off its incredible natural attributes while also showing newcomers a good time. This makes Cumbria a fun, welcoming and friendly place to be.
Despite its tourism prowess, living space is another benefit of living in Cumbria. Even though it’s the second-largest county in England, less than 500,000 people live here. Wherever you go, you won’t feel boxed in, not even in the high season for tourism.
Additionally, Cumbria has some of the lowest crime rates in the UK, and some of the highest GP patient satisfaction levels.
What are average property prices in Cumbria like?
You would think that the cachet of having the Lake District at its heart would make Cumbria an expensive prospect for buying property. In reality, it measures up quite well against the national average. In December 2021, Zoopla recorded the Cumbria house price average at £212,500. This is actually £75,500 cheaper than the overall average house price for England recorded at £288,000 in September 2021 by the ONS.
Admittedly, Cumbria’s house prices are on the rise, along with its popularity. Zoopla’s recorded average saw a 4.03% rise since December 2020. The pandemic has doubtlessly played a part in fuelling demand for housing with wide-open spaces and access to nature. This is something to bear in mind if you’re looking to buy property in Cumbria in the near future.
New homes in Cumbria: 5 best developments
After talking about Cumbria as a county, it’s time to see what kind of specific homes it can offer. The following list is made up of the top-ranked property developments currently on HomeViews. All rankings are determined purely on the basis of scores given by 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.
4.01 (16 reviews)
4.01 (16 reviews)
Our current leader for Cumbria-based developments is Strawberry Grange, which is located just a 5-minute drive from Cockermouth, right on the northwestern edge of the Lake District. It offers a variety of detached, semi-detached and terraced homes with a mix of 3-5 bedrooms. Each home features a high specification throughout, including a fully integrated kitchen, patio and bi-folding doors.
3.62 (12 reviews)
3.62 (12 reviews)
For number 2 we head down towards the coast. Edgehill Park offers a range of 3-5-bedroom detached and semi-detached homes on the edge of popular coastal town Whitehaven. The town centre is within walking distance and the development itself is within easy driving range of the Lake District.
3.94 (9 reviews)
3.94 (9 reviews)
Enjoying the 3rd spot on our list and a near-perfect score in the location category, Stone Cross Mansions is a new housing development in Ulverston. Overlooking beautiful gardens and with a backdrop of tree-lined scenery, the original Grade II listed mansion house has been brought back to its former glory with 2-3-bedroom apartments on offer, alongside a further range of 4-5-bedroom executive, detached homes that make up the rest of the development. Residents appreciate the peaceful atmosphere here, even though it’s so close to Ulverston town centre.
3.47 (8 reviews)
3.47 (8 reviews)
In 4th, positioned high above the stunning Eden Valley, Woodberry Heights is a new development in the historic (and highly desirable) market town of Penrith. It offers a luxury collection of 5-bedroom homes that benefit from breath-taking views all around. Not only is Penrith a great town to live in, but it also sits on the crossroads of the county, making for easy travel to the Lake District, Carlisle, Kendal and beyond.
4.35 (2 reviews)
4.35 (2 reviews)
Highly rated but with only two reviews so far (pushing it further down our list) is Aspen Grange – situated on the edge of Carlisle. The homes have been designed with modern living in mind, featuring high specification kitchen appliances, bi-fold or French doors and gardens bigger than the average new build.
Make sure you check back on this list, as we regularly make updates based on new developments and reviews. If you want to see more of Cumbria, and the developments listed on the site, click the area guide below.
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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