While the north and south of England have plenty to recommend them, what makes the middle of the country appealing to both buyers and renters? Accessible, prosperous yet affordable, let’s see why this part of England has such a dynamic property market, by looking at some of the best new homes in the East Midlands.
Where are the East Midlands?
As the name suggests, the East Midlands make up the middle of England, stretching out to the east. Sitting right in the centre are the counties of Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire. Northamptonshire is to the south, and easterly part of the East Midlands covers almost all of Lincolnshire, except the north and north east areas of the county.
Why live in the East Midlands?
One of the biggest attractions of the East Midlands is the region’s economic prosperity. It’s a major logistical hub, with hundreds of major companies based across its various counties. Not only does this provide good job prospects, it also makes the region very accessible, with solid transport links.
There are also plenty of big cities to choose from, many of them rich in history, such as Lincoln and Northampton. As well as the convenience of city living, the East Midlands counties have no shortage of attractive towns and villages that make the most of the rural beauty on offer. The Peak District, which is mostly in Derbyshire, is perhaps the most stunning example of this.
Also, your money goes further in the East Midlands than the South East or South West of England. Particularly when it comes to buying property.
What are property prices in East Midlands like?
Property prices in the East Midlands remain steady at the time of writing (November 2021). Zoopla has the current average property price as being a little over £237,000. Several major reports point towards the East Midlands outpacing other UK regions on house price growth in the coming years. So if you plan to buy here, factor this trend into your calculations.
A recent report from PwC shows that when it comes to renting, the East Midlands are a more affordable prospect than other parts of the country. Young renters here – agreed between 22-29 – spend around 25% of their monthly earnings on rent. This is a full 5% below the 30% threshold that is generally considered affordable.
New homes in the East Midlands: Top 10 best developments
From gleaming inner city towers, to quiet rural suburbia retreats, let’s look at some of the best new developments in the East Midlands. As always, these rankings are determined entirely by the reviews given by the people who actually live there. This gives you the insiders’ guide to the best developments on HomeViews.
*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.
4.61 (18 reviews)
4.61 (18 reviews)
Our number one development for the East Midlands is Rothley Meadow, a new development by William Davis, situated at the edge of Rothley village and close to the river Soar. Residents here love its modern, spacious and well-designed and fitted homes that provide plenty of living space. The development is also just off the A6, making it an easy 6-mile drive from the centre of Leicester.
4.56 (113 reviews)
4.56 (113 reviews)
Now we move right into the heart of Leicester to find The Wullcomb at number 2. It’s a Build to Rent development managed by Way of Life, offering 297 apartments with a mix of spacious Manhattan studios alongside one and two-bedroom apartments. Residents here have the option of choosing a furnished or unfurnished apartment, with various renter-focused policies to make moving into and living in the Wullcomb as easy as possible. There’s a wide range of facilities and amenities on site, include 24-hour concierge, secure car park and cycle storage, a rooftop terrace, a shared kitchen and dining space with a modern lounge and a private theatre room. Residents say that the management team are “just lovely” too, so you won’t wear out your Wullcomb!
4.51 (10 reviews)
4.51 (10 reviews)
In third place, it’s Collingsgate, a development which offers 3 and 4 bedroom new homes for sale in the vibrant market town (and popular commuter location) of Coalville, in the north-west of Leicestershire. Each home features bi-fold doors, exclusive kitchen designs, and integrated appliances. The town is conveniently located being just minutes from the M1 and M42, providing onward travel to all major Midlands destinations, including Leicester, Derby, Nottingham and Birmingham.
4.43 (24 reviews)
4.43 (24 reviews)
Next we head out a little further west to another Leicestershire market town, the exotically named Ashby-de-la-Zouch. Again, this town is It is well placed for commuters, with good access to the likes of Derby, Birmingham and Leicester. Ashby Gardens itself offers a collection of 3-5-bedroom homes arranged as well-spaced properties along beautiful tree-lined streets, with plenty of green spaces & play areas to boot.
4.30 (22 reviews)
4.30 (22 reviews)
In at number 5, Hilton Valley is a new development by St Modwen Homes situated to the south of Hilton village, which is just 9 miles from Derby city centre. Reviewers routinely express how impressed they are with the design and build quality of the home on offer, and the development features a beautiful woodland walk incorporating a small lake. The local amenities of Hilton are also a short walk away.
4.29 (12 reviews)
4.29 (12 reviews)
Wellington Place is sixth on our list, a new development by William Davis situated in the highly desirable town of Market Harborough. Reviewers reliably rate the design and build quality here as excellent, and appreciate the little touches in the development’s landscaping features and expanding facilities. Similarly, the management team get regularly high marks for their professionalism and speed in addressing residents’ issues.
4.25 (11 reviews)
4.25 (11 reviews)
Next, it’s on to Nottinghamshire to find Klyppr Village at number 7. This development offers a good range of 3 and 4 bedroom new homes in Clipstone. It’s surrounded by attractive countryside areas, as Clumber Park, Sherwood Forest and Rufford Abbey Country Park are all nearby. The village of Clipstone itself has several popular local shops as well as a library and village hall.
4.25 (11 reviews)
4.25 (11 reviews)
Located on the southeast outskirts of Leicester, Cottage Farm is a charming collection of 3-bedroom houses for sale in the town of Oadby, which offers excellent transport links and good local amenities right on your doorstep. Residents love the location, and also the well-kept nature of the development itself, with its generous pavements and green spaces.
4.24 (14 reviews)
4.24 (14 reviews)
At number 9, Spires View offers 3-4-bedroom homes in the village of Blackfordby in Leicestershire. A recurring theme on this list, the village is surrounded by pretty countryside but still benefits from being within easy reach of local amenities and good transport links to explore the wider county. Residents are very happy with the stunning brickwork houses, and the reliable management team looking after them.
4.17 (20 reviews)
4.17 (20 reviews)
Our final entry for the best developments in the East Midlands, Gateford Park is situated in the suburban area Gateford, on the outskirts of Worksop. The delightful Sherwood Forest is on your doorstep here, and it’s less than a half-hour drive to the exciting city of Sheffield. There’s a good range of property styles on offer here, from painted Tudor-style beams to classic red brickwork. Something for everyone!
If you want to know more about the East Midlands, our dedicated guide can help. Here you’ll find more information on the region’s geography, and plenty more developments to explore at your leisure.
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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