Ten places in Kent where prices are rising the fastest
We hear all the time that the housing market is slowing down – but these parts of Kent would beg to differ. The Office for National Statistics released figures last month showing how house prices in each council ward across the country had changed over the past year. Here are the ten places in Kent where prices are rising the fastest – and what we love about them. Prices are for the year to March 2019 and the year to March 2018.
10. Biddenden, Ashford
A pretty Wealden village near Tenterden with an award-winning vineyard, historic centre and church thought to date from the 13th century.
March 2019: £410,000
March 2018: £335,000
Increase: 22 per cent
9. Capel-le-Ferne, Dover
Sitting on top of the White Cliffs overlooking the Channel, Capel is best known for its Battle of Britain Memorial.
March 2019: £352,000
March 2018: £285,000
Increase: 24 per cent
8. Hawkhurst and Sandhurst, Tunbridge Wells
Two pretty, historic villages close to the border with East Sussex in the High Weald area of outstanding natural beauty.
March 2019: £464,995
March 2018: £373,500
Increase: 24 per cent
7. Birchington North, Thanet
A seaside resort whose Blue Flag beach Minnis Bay is secluded and family-friendly, with a play area and a paddling pool.
March 2019: £339,000
March 2018: £267,000
Increase: 27 per cent
6. Little Burton Farm, Ashford
This quiet housing estate has generous family homes and a green space by the river with dragonflies, birds and wetland plants.
March 2019: £343,000
March 2018: £270,000
Increase: 27 per cent
5. Kingsgate, Thanet
Part of lovely Broadstairs, Kingsgate has a quiet sandy beach with impressive caves, overlooked by striking chalk cliffs.
March 2019: £445,000
March 2018: £350,000
Increase: 27 per cent
4. Ringwould, Dover
Just outside the seaside town of Deal, this historic village has a Grade I listed 12th-century church and a 17th-century pub.
March 2019: £433,500
March 2018: £340,000
Increase: 28 per cent
3. Frittenden and Sissinghurst, Tunbridge Wells
Sissinghurst Castle Garden, the former home of MP Harold Nicolson and journalist Vita Sackville-West, is among the south east’s most famous gardens.
March 2019: £565,000
March 2018: £435,000
Increase: 30 per cent
2. Eynsford, Sevenoaks
Eynsford’s attractions include Lullingstone Castle, a Tudor manor house with a garden of plants from around the world, and Lullingstone Roman Villa.
March 2019: £505,000
March 2018: £363,000
Increase: 39 per cent
1. Downs West, Ashford
This delightful expanse of Stour Valley countryside includes several charming and quintessentially English villages and the Eastwell Manor hotel and spa.
March 2019: £443,500
March 2018: £245,000
Difference: 81 per cent (if that wasn’t bad enough, the average price of a house here in 1999 was £98,000).
And finally Kent’s most expensive ward is Sevenoaks Kippington, where the average house cost £1,123,500 in the year to March 2019.
At family-run Kent removal firm Colin Batt Removals, we’ve been helping people settle into their new homes across the county for 40 years – and are very proud of the many lovely towns and villages it offers to those wishing to move here. We’re based in Ashford, but cover all of Kent, particularly Maidstone, Canterbury, Folkestone and Tonbridge, and indeed work further afield. Call 01233 740395 for an informal chat or a free quote.