The UK may be a relatively small country but it is certainly varied in terms of its landscape, culture and people. Just a short journey from one place can reveal a completely different town or city.
And the same can be true of property prices nationwide. According to property website Zoopla the average property price over the last year is £338,276.
This includes detached, semi-detached and terraced houses as well as flats.
While this is pricey and out of reach for many first time buyers, there are some areas of the UK where prices plummet dramatically.
One such area is the town of Nelson in Lancashire, which is renowned for its low property prices.
Zoopla lists the average home price here as a staggeringly low £86,807.
This is broken down as £218,460 for a detached house, £144,182 for semi-detached, £71,875 for terraced, and £73,333 for a flat.
But not only are cheap property prices part of Nelson’s attraction.
Official data from the Office for National Statistics showed that it belongs to an area which is one of the happiest in the whole of the UK.
In the latest Annual Population Survey, Pendle in Lancashire – which is home to Nelson – was ranked the fourth happiest place to live.
The survey, which was held between March 2022 and 2023, took into account happiness, life satisfaction, anxiety and the feeling that things done in life are worthwhile.
Pendle scored 8.06 out of 10, making it the fourth happiest place in the UK and second happiest in England.
But what makes Pendle such a happy area to live?
Visit Lancashire describes Pendle as having “stunning countryside”, making it especially popular with hikers and cyclists.
It also boasts plenty of pretty and “quirky” market towns, including Nelson.
“The mill towns of Barnoldswick, Nelson, Barrowford and Colne are a quirky mix of traditional and trendy with mill outlets and old school weekly markets alongside vintage and designer shops,” it says.
Locally Nelson is known for its “fascinating” centrepiece – a giant weaving shuttle that represents Lancashire’s role in the industrial revolution.
It is also home to a traditional indoor market, museum, independent shops, spa and heritage town.
Speaking on Visit Pendle, former town clerk of Nelson Town Council – Jennifer Sutcliffe, said: “Having been born and bred in Nelson I can personally vouch for the friendly welcoming nature of Nelson folk.
“Although cobbled streets and mill chimneys may be our heritage, the town is moving swiftly forward and challenging outdated stereotypes about the area.
“Nelson is an ideal place to visit for shopping, entertainment, sporting activities and enjoying walks.”
The top 10 happiest places in the UK, according to the Office of National Statistics, are:
- Shetland Islands, Northern Isles – 8.22
- Na h-Eileanan Siar, Outer Hebrides – 8.12
- North Kesteven, Lincolnshire – 8.09
- Pendle, Lancashire – 8.06
- Malvern Hills, Herefordshire – 8.06
- Torridge, Devon – 8.05
- Cannock Chase, Staffordshire – 8.04
- Newham, London – 8.00
- Mid Sussex, West Sussex – 7.96
- Mid Ulster, Northern Ireland – 7.95.
