From London to the Lake District, Cornwall, and the countryside village from The Holiday (Shere in Surrey), the UK isn’t short of spectacular places to live.
But this year’s ‘housing hotspots’, where the value of homes went up the most, might surprise you.
According to the latest analysis from Lloyds Banking Group, based on its own mortgage data, it wasn’t the capital that saw the steepest rise in the value of homes; instead, it was the port city of Plymouth in Devon that topped the list.
Property values in Plymouth rose by 12.6%, with the average house price going up from £247,579 in October 2024 to £278,808 in October 2025.
The research only featured locations where Lloyds had made a minimum of 150 mortgage offers during the period, excluding buy-to-let and shared ownership.
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Other housing hotspots of the year were Stafford and Wigan, where prices were up by 12% and 10.5% respectively.
Also in the top 10 were Wakefield, Mansfield, Woking, Liverpool, Rugby, Falkirk, and Hull.
At the other end of the scale, Crawley in the South East recorded the sharpest decline, with home values falling by 8.9%. This was followed by High Wycombe, where the value fell by 7.4%.
A 6.4% fall in average property values was also reported in Chester, with a 5.2% fall in Cardiff.
And for those curious, property values fell in London by 0.1% on average.
Amanda Bryden, head of mortgages at Lloyds, said: ‘Our customers’ dream homes are found in pockets around the UK, and we’ve supported thousands of people to take their next home-buying step this year.
‘While property prices play a role, choosing where to live is also about finding a place that feels right – a community you connect with, a commute that works for you, and a lifestyle that fits you.’
She added: ‘If you’ve got your heart set on a particular location, it’s worth taking time out to do some research and see what’s happening with prices there, as swings in value at a local level can make a big difference to how much you may need for a deposit, stamp duty or wider moving costs.
‘If you’re open to exploring, you might find places where your money goes further. Northern regions and Scotland are still generally more affordable than the south of England, with a huge amount to offer in terms of culture and history, alongside some of the most beautiful parts of the UK countryside.’
What to do in Plymouth and why people like it
Plymouth is a port city in Devon in South West England, with an estimated population of around 266,038 people.
The city is well known for its historic Barbican district, which is the city’s old port area, filled with charming cobbled streets, shops, cafes, restaurants, and warehouses.
It also has a rich maritime history, and one of the most famous spots to visit is the Mayflower Steps. These mark the site where the Pilgrims are believed to have set sail on the Mayflower to discover America in 1620.
If history isn’t for you, there are plenty of other attractions in and around the city, including the Plymouth Gin Distillery, the National Marine Aquarium, Hoe Park, Drake’s Island, Saltram House, Royal William Yard, the Tinside Lido, and Smeaton’s Tower.
There are lots of foodie spots as well, including Jacka Bakery, which was established in the 16th century, making it the oldest commercial bakery in Britain.
And when it comes to pubs, you’ll be spoiled for choice, from Fortescue to The Dolphin and many more.
Online, those who live there absolutely adore the area, hailing it as having ‘beautiful’ and ‘breathtaking’ scenery, saying it’s ‘amazing’, ‘dreamy’, and one of the ‘best’ cities in the UK.
People on Reddit also praised the area for being affordable, having personality, providing a sense of adventure, and feeling safe.
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