_How many sq ft does £1m buy you outside London? - Spotlight on the South & South West
In order to bring the data to life, we've put together a selection of properties from across the regions highlighted in the research. These properties, all available through Knight Frank, are impressive examples of what £1,000,000 (or thereabouts ) can buy you in prime locations across the UK. Although there are some notable exceptions, we have tried to stick to properties that match closest with average square footage available at that price.
Winchester: Average 1,750 sq ft of prime property
Fast trains to London, the countryside on its doorstep and a vibrant cultural scene mean Winchester strikes a balance between city and country living. There’s also a wealth of property to choose from.
Homes in the city centre, especially those surrounding the Cathedral, are typically Georgian, while slightly further out Victorian terraces in Hyde and Fulflood dominate.
Family-friendly large Victorian properties close to the station in St Cross are popular with families, especially those relocating from London. Demand for properties across the city is high, and this often outstrips supply.
As a result, it’s not uncommon in some areas of the city for prices per square foot to be achieved which are on a par with markets in several outer London boroughs.
What can I buy? 3 Three bedroom townhouse for sale in one of Winchester's most sough after neighbourhoods located within a short distance of the train station and city.
On the market for: £850,000
Bath: Average 2,030 sq ft of prime property
Bath already enjoys enviable status as an international tourist destination and has a wealth of museums, Georgian streets and other attractions that mark it out as a desirable place to live and visit including a compact city centre with a good retail offering.
Perhaps best known for its instantly recognisable Georgian architecture to include the 'Bath stone' Royal Crescent,- a stand out row of 30 terraced houses laid out in a sweeping crescent, the city is also looking to the future and is enjoying a period of large-scale regeneration and new home development.
Drawn to Bath's historic charm, handsome Georgian architecture, good shopping and excellent schools are many relocating from London, keen on cashing in and trading up.
The 'West Country' villages surrounding Bath also hold strong appeal among those dipping their toes into rural bliss with city living a welcome - and nearby - comfort. Rail links are excellent with trains to Bristol running every 10-20 minutes to Bristol and every 15 minutes to London, taking approximately 90 minutes.
Bristol: Average 2,030 sq ft of prime property
Handily placed for seaside and scenery but also a thriving employment, business and innovation hub, vibrant Bristol ticks a lot of boxes. Recently named the 'Best Place to Live in the UK' by the Sunday Times, the city has a lot to offer its residents including fine housing stock, great outdoor spaces and burgeoning cultural, entertainment and shopping hubs.
Often called 'a small city that feels like a big city', for families, Bristol’s top-performing schools and family-friendly mix of wide Victorian villas and tall town houses hold large appeal while more central new home developments attract young professionals.
What can I buy? Restored Grade II listed five bedroom farmhouse. Dating back to 1485, this five bedroom refurbished former farmhouse sits within the village of Blagdon, 12 miles from Bristol, and offers breathtaking views of Bladgon Lake and the surrounding countryside.
On the market for: £1,000,000
Exeter: Average 2,860 sq ft of prime property
The city was recently named the fastest growing in the UK in terms of population growth and it’s easy to see why. With two national parks on the doorstep, a long stretch of coastline and improving transport links to London, Exeter arguably offers the best of all worlds.
A growing number of part-time commuters are taking full advantage of this, with Topsham and St Leonards being their favoured areas. A four-bed terrace will set you back around £475,000 and there is a host of independent shops, schools and eateries within easy reach. The combination of landscape, weather, good schools and an established local community is a winning formula.
What can I buy? With Exeter offering the most square foot for the amount, this property certainly doesn't disappoint. A 1920's grand six bedroom detached family home with substantial gardens in one of Exeter's most sought after central residential addresses.
On the market for: £995,000
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