Agent compiles its new ‘la-di-dah’ list
Three North East villages have been named among Britain’s poshest.
AFTER two North East areas were named among the best places to live in the UK last month, a further three villages have been named among Britain’s poshest.
One village apiece in Tyne and Wear, Northumberland and County Durham are considered among the nation’s poshest places, according to a list compiled by estate agents Savills and published by The Telegraph. Dinnington and Brancepeth have made the list for a second consecutive year, while the village of Mitford, near Morpeth, is a new addition.
Frances McDonald, director of research at Savills, said: “Our latest research indicates that proximity to a train station, place of work and family has become much more important for those searching for a new home – particularly as individuals are more likely to be commuting to the office multiple times a week.
“While still important to some now, pandemic buyer wish-lists favoured proximity to parks, shops, and local pubs and restaurants. Exactly what village characteristics are classed as essential will vary from buyer to buyer, but we know that access to education, attractive surroundings and connectivity is a decent definition of a ‘have it all’ village.”
Brancepeth sits just five miles from Durham, has an average house price of £446,545, and a population of just over 400 people. The Telegraph said its posh appeal was ivy-covered cottages, a 12th century castle, and a golf course designed by Harry Colt, who also designed Wentworth.
It wrote: “Brancepeth blends the old with the new. Modern housing is designed to fit in with its surroundings, and development has been carefully controlled to protect the village. “Only ‘in fill’ development – building on vacant land in an already built-up area – is allowed to take place. The village has a proud relationship with its renowned Harry Colt-designed golf course.”
Mitford, near Morpeth, has an average house price of £889,191, with The Telegraph considering its posh appeal to be its nearby schools, community spirit and country dancing classes. It is a new entry to the list and like Brancepeth, has a population of just over 400 people.
It wrote: “Mitford is a cosy village on the outskirts of Morpeth, which means there’s nearby access to the kind of amenities you’d get with a larger town, including a large supermarket, a good choice of primary and secondary schools and trains to London, Edinburgh, Leeds and Bristol – but still a tight-knit village sense of community. Mitford village hall hosts everything from country dancing to pilates and table tennis, and there’s also a historical society.”
Of the three villages listed, Dinnington has the cheapest house prices with an average of just £217,779. However, the fact that its posh appeal is listed as being close to Ponteland and Darras Hall, perhaps those would have been better fits for the list.
It is the second consecutive year that Dinnington has been named one of the country’s poshest villages, but when we visited in January last year, locals were bemused by the label.
Nevertheless, Savills has stuck to its guns, saying of Dinnington: “This medieval settlement dates back to the 13th century. It has the hallmarks of a traditional village with a church, as well as a doctor’s surgery, primary school, village hall and social club.
“The Masons Arms pub overlooks the green. All made more desirable by this village’s proximity to Ponteland and Darras Hall – millionaire’s row of the north with lots of footballers.”