'Hidden gem' near Manchester with âhalf-priceâ homes and 'happiest' residents
"It is the northern sibling of Manchester and people are now starting to realise its beauty and affordable pricing"
A borough which lies just an hour from Manchester has been named one of the happiest and most affordable places to live.
New research by eXp UK, the platform for personal estate agents, has revealed the best parts of the UK to live in, with average house prices below the national average.
North Kesteven was awarded the happiest area in the UK property market for homebuyers wanting to avoid breaking the bank. Boasting a happiness score of 8.09, and with a average house value of £257,199, it is 12 percent cheaper than the UK benchmark.
But there is one 'hidden gem' area closer to Manchester that offers the best mix of a happy life and an affordable foot on the ladder. Pendle, a borough in Lancashire, was awarded a happiness score of 8.06 and has an average house price that is half of the UK average of £292,059..
Pendle, which includes several towns and villages such as Barley, Barrowford, Fence and Nelson, has an average house price of £146,516. According to Rightmove, the majority of properties sold in Pendle during the last year were terraced properties, selling for an average price of £116,647.
Pendle Water in Barrowford (Image: James Maloney)
Estate agents are raving about the borough, from its 'stunning' landscapes and attractive lifestyle to its diverse property market. Gavin Hilton, Director of Hilton & Horsfall Estate Agents which covers Pendle, told the Manchester Evening News: "Pendle has long been a hidden gem in the property market, offering an incredible quality of life paired with affordability.
"The boroughâs stunning landscapes, such as the rolling hills of the Pendle countryside and picturesque villages like Barrowford and Fence, are key attractions. These areas not only offer idyllic living but also maintain strong community ties that contribute to Pendle's impressive happiness score.
"With average house prices significantly below the national average - Pendle is particularly appealing to first-time buyers, young families, and retirees seeking value without compromising on lifestyle. The area also boasts a diverse housing market, from charming period properties in villages to modern developments, making it accessible to a broad range of buyers."
Houses in Colne, Pendle (Image: James Maloney/LancsLive)
Anthony Dawson, director of Anthony Dawson Real Estate agrees, noting it as a 'doorway to the lake district. He said: "Pendle is the Northern sibling of Manchester and people are starting to realise its beauty and affordable pricing. Some have even referred to it as being the doorway to the lake district with its own spellbinding historic and scenic country setting surrounding the beauty that is Pendle Hill.
"Pendle is 30-40 mins away from the edge of Manchester and 30-40 mins away from the edge of the Lake District. Truly residing in the âGoldilocks Zoneâ of close enough yet far enough away to both Manchester for work and the Lake District for play. And yet the average house price is less than the national average in a setting that is more beautiful than the national average and now rated as one of the happiest places in the UK."
A bargain home on the market in Colne, Pendle (Image: Entwistle Green)
Taking a look at what you can buy for the average house price at the moment, this three-bed terrace in the market town of Colne is on the market for £150,000. Having already been beautifully updated by its previous owner, it has versatile living spaces and luxurious finishes and could be considered move-in ready.
It has a cosy reception room, open-plan kitchen and dining area and a patio area complete with a decked section that currently houses a hot tub. Upstairs, the first floor has a brand-new family bathroom and three bedrooms, including the master with an en-suite.
A standout feature of this property is the additional loft room, which can be tailored to suit your needs as a fourth bedroom, a home office, or a personal gym.
This cottage is on the market in Fence, Pendle (Image: Anthony Dawson)
Also on the market for slightly more than the average house price is this two-bed cottage in the 'sought-after' village of Fence, with a guide price of £200,000.
The characterful property boasts a living room with a warming wood-burning stove, a modern kitchen combined with exposed stone walls and wooden beams, a modern bathroom, two bedrooms and a study area. Outside it also boasts breathtaking views of Pendle's countryside from its beautifully maintained garden.