Spring Blog

The charm of living in south Leicestershire or north Northamptonshire reminds me of a piece in ‘The Daily Telegraph’, last year, urging readers to “Forget the Cotswolds – buy a home in ‘The Notswolds’ for half the price”, referring to a beautiful, upcoming and increasingly popular east Midlands belt from Rutland to south Leics. “Londoners longing to see how the other half live” is fanciful, maybe, but a family had recently relocated there from west London to a village near Corby, Northamptonshire- rather than buying in the Cotswolds- and were modifying their affordable new family home with the same golden limestone that, ironically, stretches up here from the west country.

Compared to the Cotswolds, the Notswolds provides more value for money, with properties offering 40% to 50% more space for the same price, while detached houses go up 2% each month, nationally. Stamford, with its conservation status, trendy shops, and newly opened wellness club, ‘Woolfox’, remains a buoyant property ‘hot spot’, while the Welland Valley is popular, too, with picturesque villages and easy access to London and other cities.

Even if we have a seven-year UK high for house listings, upsizing is simultaneously rewarding, potentially, but often just out of reach. House prices are going up 3 times faster than flats, but higher earnings, returning consumer confidence and inflation checked by supply keep things ticking over. Activity was slightly up in Q1 of 2025 to stamp duty changes in April, with parties often splitting the difference, but the lasting impact of these cost increases is hard to predict.
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House energy-efficiency is another ‘must-have’ for some buyers.  Though the government’s ’Net Zero’ policy may yet get watered down, solar panels, heat pumps and other eco-friendly features are often built in- literally, in ‘new-builds’- but it’s the traditional charm plus modern convenience that entices increasingly discerning buyers to the east Mids.
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South Leics’ growing food and restaurant scene (eg The Sun, Great Easton), cultural offerings, good primary schools and authentic village life in spots like ‘The Langtons’ are drawing in families and creatives alike. For those seeking country living with modern amenities, the Notswolds, South Leics and North Northants present an attractive alternative to busier, pricier alternatives. Market Harborough can boast many inspiring new brand outlets including Space NK, The White Company, Pret-A-Manger, Crew and Jo Malone, serving a new socio-economic demographic well. London is now nearer, too, just under an hour away by train.
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Leicestershire house prices, up 3.1% and predicted to grow a further 18.5% by 2028 are at a record high, yet transactions are at below average levels, even if Harborough is the busiest and most robust area. Meanwhile, established properties in North Northamptonshire remain competitive at an average asking price of £301,000 the UK average is £346,000 and listings are going up by 6% per annum, while demand is down a touch since the Corby area’s last promotional marketing push.
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Although tax changes, protracted conveyancing slow transactions and affordability constraints can all affect the scene, the rural market around Leicestershire is broadly strong, often boosted by increased ‘off market’ activity (private transactions), done for privacy and for exclusivity. Also, vendors are better prepped than ever, now, even if they may need a degree of patience while the wheels of offering, accepting, exchanging and completing turn.
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This could be seen on London underground adverts, pushing life in ‘North Londonshire’(!), and drew in many families, especially with professional, commuter breadwinners, such as the couple featured in ‘The Daily Telegraph’ piece quoted at the start of this article.  People looking for a slower pace, perhaps in a gentler setting. So, what are you waiting for, buyers and vendors alike?