Beautiful countryside, cider, glorious coastlines and historic towns – just some of the reasons why people flock to buy or rent new homes in Somerset. And with developments across the county claiming to offer the perfect lifestyle, where should you settle? Time to learn more about this West Country gem and discover which homes our residents rate.
Where is Somerset?
Somerset is a county in South West England. Its coastline faces south-eastern Wales across the River Severn and the Bristol Channel. Starting in the north and going clockwise, Somerset is bordered by Gloucestershire and Bristol, Wiltshire, Dorset and Devon. Taunton is the county town, with the region also home to the cities of Bath and Wells. Other large urban settlements include Weston-Super-Mare, Yeovil, and Bridgwater.
Living in Somerset
Stuffed with Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty such as the Blackdown, Mendip and Quantock Hills, Exmoor National Park and the Somerset Levels, Somerset’s rolling countryside can seduce even confirmed urbanites.
The county is also home to thousands of listed buildings, scheduled monuments, heritage and National Trust sites, and many delightful parks and gardens that pepper its stunning landscape. Discover more about the mysterious Mesolithic Cheddar Man in Cheddar Gorge or explore the county’s extensive cave network to appreciate its geology.
Alternatively, head over to Bath to take in Georgian architecture, spas, retail arcades and artisan shops. The city also features some lovely open green spaces and cultural highlights such as theatres, museums and art galleries, to name a few.
Steeped in Arthurian legend, Glastonbury is likewise a popular hub that regularly welcomes thousands of festival-goers. Its streets are full of quirky charm, with the area boasting many off-beat independent shops and weekly markets. Meanwhile, the historic market town of Bridgwater offers plenty of job opportunities in its distribution hubs, excellent motorway links and Europe’s largest illuminated carnival.
Transport in Somerset
Somerset’s main arterial routes include the M5 motorway, A303, A37, A38, A39, A358 and the A361. Various train lines run throughout the country, such as the West of England Main Line through Yeovil Junction, the Bristol to Exeter line, the Heart of Wessex line – from Bristol Temple Meads to Weymouth – and the Reading to Taunton line. Meanwhile, Bristol Airport offers domestic and international flights.
Somerset property prices
According to Zoopla, the average price for property in Somerset was £302,407 in December 2021. This is a rise of 5.07 per cent in the last 12 months. Flats sold for an average of £159,703, terraced houses for £219,470, and semi-detached homes for £264,335. Detached properties achieved £441,448 on average.
Recent figures from property search engine Home.co.uk show that the current rental average in the region is around the £1,225 PCM mark. One-bedroom homes cost about £736 PCM, while five-bedroom lets recently commanded £2,402 PCM. These figures change slightly based on daily recalculations.
New homes in Somerset: Top 10 developments
New homes in Somerset provide a comfortable modern lifestyle to complement the county’s idyllic rural landscape. But which ones are worth the price tag? Let’s find out.
4.25 (11 reviews)
4.25 (11 reviews)
In first place, Klyppr Village offers a range of three and four-bedroom new homes in Clipstone. Surrounded by countryside, the development is also near Clumber Park, Sherwood Forest and Rufford Abbey Country Park. The Nottinghamshire village of Clipstone has local shops, a library, and a village hall.
Residents tell us that the estate feels very safe, and the large, spacious houses feature bi-fold doors and designer kitchens. They also like being within easy reach of Mansfield for the larger supermarkets, with Newark a 40-minute drive. There are also some good liveries and a trekking centre nearby.
4.21 (20 reviews)
4.21 (20 reviews)
Gateford Park is a new development offering a range of three, four and five-bedroom homes in Gateford, Worksop. Voted into second place, Gateford Park is also close to open countryside and Sherwood Forest and features a variety of house styles with generous driveways. There are two supermarkets within walking distance, with Clumber Park, Rufford Abbey and Sherwood Forest less than half an hour away by car.
4.15 (22 reviews)
4.15 (22 reviews)
At number three, David Wilson Homes is the most highly rated of the four Berry Hill developers in our Top 10. The wider site has been carefully planned to meet the needs of a wide range of people, working closely with some of the UK’s leading home builders to create individual homes that meet high environmental standards. Berry Hill will feature shops, cafés, a school and many other amenities.
Residents describe the estate as quiet and friendly, with plenty of parking and easy access to the M1. Enjoy the woodland on your doorstep or take a 30-minute stroll into Mansfield town centre.
Read reviews and details of David Wilson Homes at Berry Hill, NG18
4.11 (22 reviews)
4.11 (22 reviews)
Bellaway Homes is our second most popular Berry Hill developer and has been reviewed into fourth place overall. Residents tell us that although they are still waiting for the promised on-site amenities, there are some local shops and bars reachable by foot and a free bus service that runs into town.
One resident said: ‘Our street is lovely and quiet and everyone is very friendly, so there’s a lovely community atmosphere. There is also lots of green space nearby and lovely little walks that have been added into the development plans.’
Read reviews and details of Bellway Homes at Berry Hill, NG18
3.99 (26 reviews)
3.99 (26 reviews)
Hot on the heels of our other Berry Hill developers, Barratt Homes sits bang in the middle of our list. An ‘amazing place to live’ with a ‘real community vibe’, the estate features well-designed homes just a few minutes from supermarkets, parks and woodland.
Read reviews and details of Barratt Homes at Berry Hill, NG18
3.94 (10 reviews)
3.94 (10 reviews)
In sixth place, Hawfinch Place in Worksop offers three and four-bedroom homes featuring bi-fold doors, exclusive kitchen designs, and integrated appliances. The village of Carlton-in-Lindrick has numerous local amenities, such as restaurants, traditional pubs, and a Co-op.
Further shopping, eateries and entertainment can be found in nearby Worksop. One resident said that the ‘beautifully designed’ houses lie within a great neighbourhood populated with many young families and first-time buyers.
3.71 (11 reviews)
3.71 (11 reviews)
Returning to Berry Hill, Avant Homes offers beautiful houses with a ‘higher quality choice of materials that add to the bespoke nature of the property’. Our residents have voted the developer into the top seven.
3.54 (12 reviews)
3.54 (12 reviews)
Our eighth well-reviewed development, The Heddles offers a range of ‘spacious’ four and five-bedroom new homes for sale in Newark with bi-fold doors, exclusive kitchen designs and integrated appliances.
Located in Newark’s newest neighbourhood, Middlebeck, The Heddles is just a mile from the town centre with its range of amenities, open spaces and leisure facilities. You’ll also find a gym, café and a small supermarket close by, with the A1/A46 and a mainline rail station also just a short journey by car or bicycle.
4.72 (10 reviews)
4.72 (10 reviews)
Prince’s Place is a new development by William Davis on the edge of Radcliffe-on-Trent, a 25-minute drive from Nottingham city centre and a short walk from the River Trent. Residents reviewed it into ninth place because the homes offer ‘plenty of living and entertaining space’, ‘private’ gardens, and a ‘high-standard’ finish.
There is also a nice pub-restaurant only a 5-minute walk from the development, with regular buses that travel into Nottingham and easy access to the A52. The area is also ‘very peaceful being on the edge of the village’.
4.36 (7 reviews)
4.36 (7 reviews)
Rounding up our Top 10, Sherwood Gate is a collection of three, four and five-bedroom homes nestled in the parish of Linby. Surrounded by large green spaces and excellent local amenities, the development complements family life. A ten-minute walk will bring you to a post office, convenience store and other amenities, plus the area is central to Hucknall, Linby and Papplewick. Follow the Papplewick Trail to walk for miles in different directions.
So, has our Top 10 whetted your appetite for new homes in Somerset? Learn the pros and cons of each development by clicking through to 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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