With winding country roads, chocolate-box cottages and easy access to motorways and rail links, new research has identified the ‘most desirable’ West Midlands villages for people to live in.
From leafy Lichfield to majestic Worcestershire and stately Solihull, Savills estate agents’ research has identified the most desirable villages in the Midlands and across the UK counties.
Results are based on a mix of villages with the highest property prices, but also factor in lifestyle amenities, “candy box appeal” and connectivity, such as: B. access to motorway networks such as the M5.
Read more : Tiny charming village of 10 country pubs near M5 Bromsgrove where Hollyoaks actress grew up
Researchers have shortlisted it down to the top three villages for each ceremonial county and we can reveal those for Worcestershire, the West Midlands, Shropshire and Staffordshire.
Here are the top 3 most desirable villages, in no particular order, per county with the average house price and a little above.
Worcestershire
Bentley Pauncefoot, near Bromsgrove and Redditch
Average house price – £717,048
This unspoilt, picturesque village near Tardebigge has its own well-appointed community center with WI and regular activities for residents.
Less than 10 minutes’ drive from Bromsgrove with its Waitrose, gastro pubs and leisure center and Redditch with its Kingfisher shopping center and many parks, it is conveniently located whilst retaining a distinct rural flair. Stunning views of the Worcestershire countryside from the impressive stately homes in this village.
Ombersley’s Kings Arms pub
(Image: BPM)
Omberley at Droitwich
Average house price – £435,943
Stunning black and white timber houses in this corner of Worcestershire make this an attractive place to live, while locals can stroll over to the equally historic and charming Kings Arms Pub.
There is a well known deli and butcher in the village called Checketts which is close to the shops, library, Lido and Waitrose at Droitwich Spa. Ombersley has also been named as one of the top five best places to live in the UK by Leaders real estate agents.
Stock and Bradley, near Hanbury and Droitwich
Average house price – £591,643
Just a 10 minute drive from all the amenities of Droitwich Spa, Stock and Bradley consists of Stock Green and Bradley Green and shares their own charming townhouse.
This small rural community of just 300 residents has its own local council and has a mix of detached charming old estates alongside bungalows and modern houses, all intertwined with fields.
Homes in Barston near Solihull which has been described as one of the most desirable places to live in the West Midlands
(Image: Google Maps)
West Midlands
Barston, near Solihull
Average house price – £571,202
This rural oasis is blessed with excellent transport links and a friendly gastro country pub. It is a short drive to the M42, Birmingham Airport and the NEC for trains to London and Birmingham.
Bulls Head on Barston Lane is a small family run business renowned for its hearty food and welcoming atmosphere in this pretty village close to Knowle and close to all the great shops and restaurants of Solihull town centre. It is also close to the Marsh Lane Nature Reserve.
Tidbury Green, near Wythall and Earlswood
Average house price – £525,710
This semi-rural village, run by Solihull Council, is half a mile from Wythall Rail Station and within easy reach of the M40, M42 and Touchwood Shopping Centre.
Its leafy streets are a practical choice on the outskirts of Birmingham and Solihull with excellent primary and secondary schools in the area including Alderbrook High, Tudor Grange Academy and Solihull School.
Tidbury Green has a country feel but is close to Solihull’s shops and restaurants
(Image: Google Maps)
Allesley, in Coventry
Average house price – £516,885
Another semi-rural village that offers a touch of country charm despite being close to the city and motorway links to Birmingham and beyond. It also has its own Community Hall, The Rainbow Inn Pub, Restaurant Elms Coventry and a large park on the doorstep with Pitch and Putt.
Part of its attraction are the local schools of Coundon Court and Allesley Primary along with Cardinal Newman and Bablake Pre Prep.
Staffordshire
Shenstone, near Lichfield
Average house price – £575,613
This semi-rural village is a thriving, well-served area that was once the home of actress Helen Baxendale. On the edge of Lichfield, Shenstone has direct rail links to Birmingham and London Euston and is close to the M6 Toll.
There are many pubs including The Bulls Head, The Plow, Railway Inn and Fox and Hounds, as well as restaurants and shops including a renowned butcher, Russells of Shenstone. Shenstone has its own library set amongst cottages, townhouses and single family homes.
Rural landscape in Shenstore village. Image flickr / John Whitehouse
(Image: handout)
Goodbye and Chorley, near Lichfield.
Average house price – £566,739
Made up of two tiny villages, Farewell and Chorley, they are about four miles from Lichfield’s shops, cathedral and restaurants.
There is a village hall between the two, the traditional pub The Malt Shovel and the Saddlers Riding Club and many nearby stables for horse riders.
Elford, near Tamworth
Average house price – £518,133
This delightful, well kept village boasts the much sought after Elford Conservation Area surrounding St Peter’s Church, as well as a cricket club, post office and the popular pub, The Crown Inn.
Large Victorian houses, black and white timber houses and gated communities are dotted around the village along the River Tame which is close to the shops and restaurants of Tamworth and Lichfield and the M42 and A38.
Beautiful countryside at Cound, seen here from the village’s trout fishery
(Image: Birmingham Post and Mail)
Shropshire
Cound, between Shrewsbury and Much Wenlock
Average house price – £452,540
Picturesque and running along the Cound Brook, this ancient village feels nested deep in the Shropshire countryside, yet is only six miles south of Shrewsbury’s shops, restaurants and amenities.
The village has its own pub, the Riverside Inn, along with a tennis club and cricket club located on the grounds of Cound Hall where the game is played against a stunning backdrop of Wrekin Hill.
Montford, near Shrewsbury
Average house price – £454,587
Remote Montford is a small hamlet in the heart of unspoilt countryside above the banks of the River Severn, with excellent access to the A5 and only 5 miles from the county town of Shrewsbury.
Savills Telford’s Peter Daborn said the village was “popular with families wanting easy access to Shrewsbury’s wealth of excellent schools and facilities”. He added that the impressive sandstone church at Montford is best known for being the resting place of the parents of naturalist Charles Darwin and his sister.
Astley Abbott’s, near Bridgnorth
Average house price – £450,978
Just north of Bridgnorth is Astley Abbotts, a small picturesque village with a beautiful church steeped in history.
Savills said it’s popular with commuters who want to take full advantage of the “beautiful scenery and peaceful lifestyle” in this rural oasis of lots of fields with roaming cattle and views.
Keep up to date with the latest from the county with our daily Worcestershire email updates.