A new index has crowned the best locations in England for family-friendly living, providing invaluable insights for property investors targeting the family rental and resale markets. The inaugural Family Hotspots Index uncovers the areas most likely to attract family buyers and tenants by ranking the top locations based on school performance and personal wellbeing. Find out which areas made the list…
England’s Top 10 Family Hotspots
1 Surrey Heath has been crowned England’s best location for families in the first Family Hotspots Index. With an average property price of £453,103, the area’s appeal is underpinned by 65 per cent of pupils meeting Key Stage 2 standards, compared to the national average of 61 per cent and a high wellbeing score of 7.9 out of 10. The hotspot is home to the sought-after villages of Bisley and Chobham, which offer residents access to green spaces while remaining within reach of London for commuters.
Robert Butterworth, Director at Jackson-Stops Woking, commented: “Surrey Heath has long been a popular choice for families, thanks to its excellent schools, abundance of green spaces, and strong sense of community. Areas like Chobham are particularly sought after as they give a semi-rural feel.”
2 Neighbouring Woking, with an average property price of £456,450, secured second place, with 65 per cent of pupils meeting Key Stage 2 targets and a wellbeing score of 7.8. The Surrey town’s excellent transport links, including fast rail connections to London Waterloo in under 25 minutes, contribute to its popularity.
3 The small county of Rutland, in the East Midlands, which has an average property price of £378,961, ranks third, with the highest percentage of pupils (69%) meeting Key Stage 2 targets. It also boasts a wellbeing score of 7.7, reflecting strong community satisfaction.
4 With a wellbeing score of 7.7 and 65 percent of pupils meeting expected academic standards, Mole Valley in Surrey ranked fourth in the Family Hotspot Index. The district, which has an average house price of £554,649, includes towns like Dorking, known for its scenic setting in the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
5 Offering one of the most affordable property markets on the list with an average property price of £160,819, North East Lincolnshire ranks fifth with a wellbeing score of 7.8 and 63 per cent of pupils meeting Key Stage 2 standards.
6/7 Brentwood (average property price £473,359) and Chelmsford (average property price £388,217) secure joint sixth place, with wellbeing scores of 7.8 and 62 per cent of pupils meeting academic targets. These Essex locations are popular with families due to the grammar schools, transport links and proximity to London.
8 Ranking eighth, the borough of Waverley also in Surrey benefits from a high wellbeing score of 7.6 and 65 per cent of pupils achieving Key Stage 2 targets. The area, which has an average house price of £539,774, includes popular market towns like Farnham and Godalming, known for their historic charm and excellent schooling options.
9/10 Ranking joint ninth, Dacorum in Hertfordshire (average property price £475,627) and Hartlepool in County Durham (average property price £133,337) offer contrasting affordability levels, but both score well for family well-being. Dacorum has a wellbeing score of 7.7 and 63 per cent of pupils meeting Key Stage 2 standards, while Hartlepool stands out as the most affordable area in the top 10, with a wellbeing score of 7.5 and 65 per cent of pupils meeting Key Stage 2 targets.
Nick Leeming, Chairman of Jackson-Stops, which created the Family Hotspot Index, commented: “Access to high-performing schools is a major factor driving demand in the family homes market. Competition for properties in top school catchment areas has always been strong, and this is set to intensify further with upcoming changes to Ofsted grading and the introduction of VAT on private school fees.”
Other areas further down the list are Cannock Chase (11th), the City of Plymouth (12th), Solihull (13th), North Hertfordshire, Ashford and Cheshire East (joint 14th), Folkstone and Hyth, Swale and Tamworth (joint 17th) and Thanet and Melton, which share the 20th spot.
Investors looking at investment properties that attract family buyers and tenants with the potential for long-term capital growth may find these areas particularly attractive due to their high rankings, excellent transport links and desirable family amenities.
