House prices in the Cornish town of Fowey have risen by 67% over the past decade, making it the strongest performer among a group of Britain’s most picturesque towns and villages.
Research from estate agency software provider Alto puts the average property price in Fowey at £585,000 in 2026, compared with £350,000 in 2016.
Hathersage in Derbyshire ranks second, with values increasing 63% from £367,000 to £596,000, while prices in Weobley, Herefordshire, have risen 57% from £238,000 to £373,000.
The research analyses sales data available through Alto, whose software is connected to more than 6,000 estate agency branches across the UK.
PICTURE POSTCARD PREMIUM
Chiddingstone in Kent takes fourth place after prices climbed 56% to £637,000, giving it the highest average price among the ten locations.
It is followed by Lacock in Wiltshire, where values have risen 55% to £386,500, and Alrewas in Staffordshire, up 54% to £548,000.
Clun in Shropshire recorded a 53% increase, while Painswick in Gloucestershire was up 51%.
Appledore in Devon and Montgomery in Powys complete the top ten, with increases of 49% and 40% respectively.
LOCAL HOTSPOTS
Riccardo Iannucci-Dawson (main picture, inset), Chief Executive Officer of Alto, says highly desirable locations can continue to outperform the wider housing market.
He says: “Even in a depressed property market you will find bubbles which outperform other areas because they are gorgeous places to live and defy the general downturn.
“Fowey is one such place and all ten picture postcard locations on the list benefit from the wow factor which makes them more desirable places to live than neighbouring areas.”
Iannucci-Dawson adds that access to long-term sales data can help agents identify local hotspots and adapt their sales strategies accordingly.
