Fed up with noisy neighbours? Dream of living in peace and solitude, away from the hustle and bustle, stresses, and manic lifestyle of the city?
Many of us may dream of living on an uninhabited island, but the reality is that most people need, and want, some easy access to everyday amenities, as well as schools, work, and some social interaction.
So we are not talking about the Outer Hebrides or Lundy Island, but where it is more practical to live, where you can still access a town or city if you want, but still experience solitude if that is what you also seek.
In this week’s home moving blog, we look at several surveys that will help you identify the most peaceful places in the UK to live.
According to www.worldometers.info, over 67 million people currently live in the UK, and the population density for each country within the UK looks like this:
The UK has a population density of 275 people per square kilometre
England has a population density of 432 people per square kilometre
Wales has a population density of 152 people per square kilometre
Northern Ireland has a population density of 137 people per square kilometre
Scotland has a population density of 70 people per square kilometre
Where are the Most Peaceful Places to Live in the UK by Region?
There is a great website called www.noisenuisance.org which collates lots of useful information about noise complaints across the UK.
You can read the full reports and study on the noisenuisance website which has more details about the fewest and most noise complaints about each part of the country.
Here we list the 5 quietest places in each part of the UK to live based on the number of noise complaints received by the local council. (Scotland was not included in this data set).
You may also like to read: Should You Move Because of Bad Neighbours? Moving because of bad neighbours is very common so in this guide we look at how to deal with bad neighbours, how to spot if you are moving next to bad neighbours, and how to be a good neighbour.
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You may also like to read The Ultimate Guide to Moving to London. In this guide, we look at living in each of the London Boroughs, discover what the average price of property is in each, how the cost of living differs to other cities, and invaluable tips for moving to London.
Most Peaceful Places to Live in the South East
Reigate and Banstead
New Forest
Tonbridge and Malling
South Bucks
Aylesbury Vale
You may also like to read Moving to the South East of England in which we share in-depth guides to each county and look at the pros and cons of moving to the South East of England.
Most Peaceful Places to Live in the East of England
You may also like to read: Ultimate Guide to Moving to the South West of England. In this guide, we share guides to each of the major cities and towns within the South West as well as look at the pros and cons of coming to live here.
Most Peaceful Places to Live in the East Midlands
Gedling
Harborough
Nottingham
Oadby and Wigston
Derbyshire Dales
You may also like to read: The Ultimate Guide to Moving to the East Midlands in which we look at the pros and cons of living in the East Midlands. You will also find in-depth guides to the towns and cities of the East Midlands.
Most Peaceful Places to Live in the West Midlands
Wychavon
Bromsgrove
Wyre Forest
Malvern Hills
Worcester
You may also like to read: Ultimate Guide to Moving to the West Midlands. In this guide, we explore the main towns and cities of the West Midlands and consider the pros and cons of living here.
Most Peaceful Places to Live in the North East of England
Sunderland
North Tyneside
Durham
Gateshead
Northumberland
You may also like to read The Ultimate Guide to Moving to the North East in which we consider the pros and cons of living in the North East as well as look at each of the major towns and cities in more depth.
Most Peaceful Places to Live in the North West of England
Allerdale
Copeland
Wyre
Eden
Bolton
You may also like to read the Ultimate Guide to Moving to North West England in which we share guides to the main towns and cities of the region as well as the pros and cons of living in the North West of England.
Most Peaceful Places to Live in Yorkshire and the Humber
Selby
Hambleton
Richmondshire
Ryedale
Craven
You may also like to read The Ultimate Guide to Moving to Yorkshire which looks at the advantages and disadvantages of living in Yorkshire and also includes comprehensive guides to the main cities and towns in Yorkshire.
The Most Peaceful Places to Live in Wales
Isle of Anglesey
Flintshire
Newport
Gwynedd
Rhondda Cynon Taf
You may also like to read: The Pros and Cons of Moving to Wales in which we discover the happiest places to live in Wales, a guide to the cities of Wales, and the top 5 reasons to move, and not to move, to Wales.
Most Peaceful Places to Live in Northern Ireland
Magherafelt
Moyle
Newry and Mourne
Omagh
Derry
You may also like to read: How to Find Your Forever Home and Never Have to Move Again. In this guide, we look at the subject of forever homes, what are the pros and cons of a forever home, and things to consider when trying to find a forever home.
Which are the Least Populated Counties in England?
As you can see from the previous section, generally, living amongst fewer people usually equates to less noise and a more tranquil way of life.
Here we look at the top 6 counties with the lowest number of people per square kilometer within England.
These counties will usually have towns or cities so that you can have easy access to all the amenities that the more populated areas can offer you.
But away from those more densely populated areas, you will find quaint villages, remote farmhouses, beautiful countryside, peace, and tranquility.
You may also like to read: How to Move Home as an Introvert. You may have been drawn to this section of this article because you prefer or need space to be on your own and recharge your batteries. In this guide, we look at how to make moving home easier for introverts, as well as suggest some ideal places to live.
Moving to Rutland
Oakham on Market Day
Often compared to the Cotswolds, and only about 100 miles north of London, is the smallest of all the counties in England, Rutland.
With the lowest density of population of anywhere in England, surrounded by beautiful countryside, and being centrally located in England, this is a county that has a lot going for it.
The 5 least populated places in Rutland according to the 2021 census are:
Seaton – 250 residents
Morcott – 321 residents
Belton-in-Rutland – 348 residents
Manton – 359 residents
Lyddington – 366 residents
Rutland is a beautiful part of the East Midlands to live in and gives you easy access to Leicester, Nottingham, Peterborough, and even Birmingham.
Nottingham and East Midlands Airports are all close by, and there is a direct rail service to London St Pancras from Oakham railway station, as well as services to Birmingham, Leicester, Peterborough, and Stanstead Airport.
You can check out commuting times from Rutland using this travel time calculator at www.zoopla.co.uk
Oakham and Uppingham are the only two towns in Rutland, with about fifty small and very picturesque villages dotted throughout this beautiful county.
The villages are idyllic, brimming with character homes and local independent stores, as well as weekly farmers’ markets.
Right at the epicenter of the county is Rutland Water, a 1,000-acre nature reserve, where both locals and tourists flock to spend quality leisure time.
With very highly rated private and public schools, a safe and clean environment, and plenty to do in the surrounding areas, Rutland is an extremely sought-after place to live.
Rutland is regarded as a fairly affluent area and local house prices reflect this.
What is the average cost of a home in Rutland? These are the average home prices in Rutland according to www.rightmove.co.uk
Detached houses: £581,533
Semi-detached houses: £321,091
Terraced homes: £301,643
Useful information if you are thinking of moving to Rutland:
You may also like to read: Can Moving Home Make You Happier? In this guide, we look at whether moving home actually makes you happier or whether you take your problems with you.
Moving to the Isle of Wight
Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is the second least densely populated county in England.
With beautiful seaside towns and rural villages, a year-round calendar of events, and all the shops you need, including supermarket chains and local independent stores, the Isle of Wight is a great place to live.
If it is solitude you seek then West Wight is the best place to start your home search. You will find some very quiet but beautiful beaches, charming villages, and slightly cheaper homes with large gardens.
From thatched cottages in villages such as Godshill to modern marina homes, the Isle of Wight has a good mix of homes to cater to every taste.
There are no motorways and only a handful of major roads on the island, which adds to the laid-back lifestyle that most residents enjoy here.
The Isle of Wight has over 500 miles of footpaths, picturesque beaches that you will have to yourself outside the tourist season, a low crime rate, and cheaper-than-average homes compared to the rest of the South East.
Commuting to the mainland takes around 90 minutes from the more rural villages, whilst from Cowes the ferry to Southampton is less than 30 minutes, with a London commute taking about 2 ½ hours.
You can check out commuting times from the Isle of Wight using this travel time calculator at www.zoopla.co.uk
What is the average cost of a home on the Isle of Wight? www.rightmove.co.uk reports the following average prices for a home on the Isle of Wight:
Detached houses: £549,462
Semi-detached houses: £308,465
Flats: £188,989
If you are thinking of moving to the Isle of Wight you may find these websites have some useful information for you:
You may also like to read: How to Decide Where to Live Next in which we help you create a wishlist for the home and location where you would like to move to.
Moving to Northumberland
The solitude of the Northumberland Coast
On the border of Scotland and England, Northumberland is the most northern of the English counties, and the 3rd least populated county in England.
Morpeth and Hexham are both towns with a population of over 10k people, but the county is mainly made up of small hamlets and villages with isolated farms, offering you a peaceful and quiet location in which to live.
Set within spectacular scenery, over a quarter of the county is part of the Northumberland National Park, Northumberland is famous for its high quality of life.
According to the 2021 census, these are the 5 least populated places in Northumberland:
Amble 6,025 residents
Newbiggin-by-the-Sea – 6,308 residents
Seaton Delaval – 7,509 residents
Ainwick – 8,116 residents
Stakeford – 8,642 residents
Employment is high in Northumberland with many major employers in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, tourism, and biotechnology within the county.
The major cities of Newcastle and Gateshead are commutable, offering even more employment opportunities.
You can check out commuting times from Northumberland using this travel time calculator at www.zoopla.co.uk
What is the average cost of a home in Northumberland? www.rightmove.co.uk reports the following average property prices in Northumberland:
Terraced homes: £162,882
Semi-detached: £200,752
Detached houses: £403,438
If you are thinking of moving to Northumberland you may find these websites useful:
You may also like to read: The Ultimate Guide to Moving on the Coast of England. Northumberland has some stunning coastline and in this guide, we look at the pros and cons of going to live by the sea. You will also find guides to living in some of the main places along the English coastline.
Moving to Cumbria
Endless opportunities for peace and quiet
Steeped in history, endless countryside, quaint villages, and a wide choice of homes, Cumbria is a very popular place to live for those seeking not only solitude but an active outdoor lifestyle.
A few main towns offer you all the facilities you need such as Penrith, Kendall, Cockermouth, and Carlisle.
Not only do many towns have the usual chain stores but there is a great range of local independent stores and farmers markets.
And being centrally located it is easy to commute to some of the UK’s major cities if you need to, with Edinburgh being just over 80 minutes and London 3 ½ hours by train.
There are also rail services to Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle, and Middlesbrough as well as many local services.
You can check out commuting times from Cumbria using this travel time calculator at www.zoopla.co.uk
According to the 2021 population census, these are the top 4 least densely parts of Cumbria:
Eden – 25 persons per square km
South Lakeland – 68 persons per square km
Allerdale – 78 persons per square km
Copeland – 96 persons per square km
What is the average cost of a home in Cumbria? www.rightmove.co.uk reports the average cost of a property in Cumbria as:
Terraced homes: £149,683
Semi-detached houses: £208,163
Detached houses: £391,538
If you are thinking of moving to Cumbria you may find these websites useful:
Shropshire is a beautiful county that borders Wales and offers its residents an idyllic rural lifestyle.
The county is famous for its market towns with Tudor-fronted buildings, narrow streets lined with stone cottages, and stunning views of the Shropshire Hills.
The large towns of Telford, Shrewsbury, and Ludlow offer you all the amenities you could need, whilst the smaller rural villages of Myddle, Cleehill, and Cardington for example, offer you a tranquil and laid-back lifestyle in idyllic surroundings.
For commuters, Manchester, Liverpool, and Birmingham airports are less than an hour’s drive away whilst you can get to London Euston from Shrewsbury in less than 2 ½ hours.
You can check out commuting times from Shropshire using this travel time calculator at www.zoopla.co.uk
Shropshire is steeped in history and you will find plenty of interesting places to visit in your leisure time, as well as many beautiful areas for outdoor leisure activities.
You will see from the attached table produced by the Office of National Statistics that there are some very sparsely populated places in Shropshire. Here are 5 of the places in Shropshire with the lowest populations:
Aldon -10 persons
Binweston – 10 persons
Bryn – 10 persons
Brown Heath – 20 persons
Barrow – 20 persons
What is the average cost of a home in Shropshire? According to www.rightmove.co.uk, these are the average prices of homes in Shropshire:
Detached homes: £405,681
Semi-detached houses: £231,730
Terraced houses: £199,322
If you are thinking of moving to Shropshire you may find these websites useful:
You may also like to read: The Pros and Cons of Buying a Home With a Garden. Many people aspire to having a home with a garden but in this guide, we look at the reality of having a garden and the pros and cons of having your own outside space.
Moving to Cornwall
Away from the tourists in Cornwall
Cornwall may not spring to mind when you are looking for a quiet and peaceful place to live.
Sure, it is busy in the main towns and seaside resorts during the summer, but there are some stunningly beautiful villages that tourists ignore as they soak up the sun on sandy beaches.
And come the winter, you will have that beautiful coastline all to yourself.
Away from the tourist hotspots you could look at places like the Roseland Peninsula, Tregony, Portscatho, Portloe, Veryan, Philleigh, Trowan, or Boskednan.
All are small villages or hamlets off the beaten tourist trail but with access to the bigger towns if you need it.
Cornwall is also a county that benefits from a lot of local investment, especially in local businesses.
Whilst tourism is obviously a big money earner for the region, there are many other employment sectors including agriculture, fishing, construction, scientific and technical industries, distribution, and manufacturing.
With superfast broadband available in many parts of Cornwall now it is a far more appealing place to live for those who work from home.
You can commute to Bristol by train in just over 4 hours, and to London in around 5 hours.
You can check out commuting times from Cornwall using this travel time calculator at www.zoopla.co.uk
Properties on the coast are obviously going to be more expensive, but move into the more isolated parts of Cornwall and there are some stunning properties at affordable prices.
Here are the average house prices for Cornwall as reported by www.rightmove.co.uk
Detached houses: £497,703
Terraced houses: £260,037
Semi-detached houses: £300,446
If you are thinking of moving to Cornwall you may find these websites useful:
‘Where is the most tranquil place to live in the UK’ is a subjective question, but here is a survey by www.comparethemarket.com, as reported by www.countryliving.com in 2019, which not surprisingly found the sparsely populated country of Wales as the most peaceful place in the UK to live.
The survey ranked these places by the number of residents, low average house prices, good career prospects, and access to stunning countryside.
Here are the top 5 places to live in the UK for solitude and a peaceful life according to that survey.
#1 St Asaph Wales
On the banks of the River Elwy in Denbighshire, Wales is St Asaph, the second smallest city in Britain with a population of about 3,400.
Home to the smallest cathedral in Great Britain, it is the stunning setting of St Asaph that will attract those seeking a beautiful and peaceful place to live.
St Asaph Business Park offers several employment opportunities in the energy, engineering, science, and creative sectors.
For commuters, Liverpool is about an hour away by car, and Chester is about 40 minutes away.
You can check out commuting times from St Asaph using this travel time calculator at www.zoopla.co.uk
What is the average cost of a home in St Asaph? According to www.zoopla.co.uk, these are the average house prices in St Asaph:
Detached houses £280,333
Semi-detached houses £217,750
Terraced houses £158,000
Flats £225,000
If you are thinking of moving to St Asaph then you may find these websites useful:
St David’s is often voted as an ideal place to live
In a poll by The Times, St David’s was named as one of the best places in the UK to live. With so many polls extolling the virtues of St David’s, there is clearly something very special about this small city.
With a population of around 2000 people, St David’s feels more like a market town than a city but still caters to all your everyday needs.
Set in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the surrounding countryside is truly breathtaking, with plenty of outdoor leisure activities to enjoy.
And if you truly want some isolation, then head on a boat to Ramsey Island to admire the wide variety of birds that nest here.
You could also consider moving to Solva, a little coastal village just along from St David’s. Both offer a relaxing and peaceful way of life in a truly beautiful part of Wales.
For commuters, you can get to Cardiff by car in just over 2 hours, or to Swansea in about 90 minutes.
You can check out commuting times from St David’s using this travel time calculator at www.zoopla.co.uk
What is the average cost of a home in St David’s? According to www.rightmove.co.uk, these are the average house prices in St David’s:
Detached houses £419,857
Semi-detached houses £322,833
Flats £194,000
If you are thinking of moving to St David’s you may find these websites useful:
Including Sheffield as one of the best places to live for a tranquil lifestyle may seem odd, but there are a large number of city parks and the city itself is surrounded by beautiful countryside, so the opportunity to find solitude is everywhere.
With the Peak District a stone’s throw away and the city perched upon the hills of South Yorkshire, Sheffield has rebranded itself as ‘The Outdoor City’, attracting many who seek the convenience of city living with an outdoor lifestyle.
Within Sheffield, you will find a vast array of shops, a good selection of schools, and many employment opportunities.
In fact, Sheffield has become such a desirable place to live that it warranted writing a whole guide to moving there which you can read here: The Ultimate Guide to Moving to Sheffield
What is the average cost of a home in Sheffield? According to www.zoopla.co.uk, these are the average house prices in Sheffield:
Detached houses £441,413
Semi-detached houses £243,589
Terraced houses £188,121
Flats £148,910
If you are thinking of moving to Sheffield you may find these websites useful:
Set amongst the beautiful Mendip Hills is the small cathedral city of Wells.
With excellent schools, great shopping facilities, beautiful countryside, and a market-town vibe, this is a great little place to live.
Being so close to Bath and Bristol, only about 20 miles away, Wells is becoming a very popular commuter town due to the high quality of life and cheaper homes.
There are fast commuter trains from Bristol to most major UK cities, and Bristol International Airport is about a half-hour drive away.
You can check out commuting times from Wells, Somerset using this travel time calculator at www.zoopla.co.uk
When it comes to finding a home here, the city itself has mainly two and three-bedroom stone cottages, whilst larger family homes can be found in the surrounding villages of Priddy and Westbury.
What is the average cost of a home in Wells, Somerset? According to www.zoopla.co.uk, these are the average house prices in Wells, Somerset:
Detached houses £526,232
Semi-detached houses £299,479
Terraced houses £338,539
Flats £181,388
If you are thinking of moving to Wells, Somerset you may find these websites useful:
You may like to read about moving to the surrounding area of Wells: The Ultimate Guide to Moving to Bristol. In this guide, we look at every aspect of going to live in Bristol. From the average cost of living to guides to the best places to live in Bristol, you will find this guide invaluable if you are thinking of moving to Bristol.
#5 Stirling Scotland
Stirling: History, culture, stunning countryside, and tranquility
Stirling in Scotland is the final destination in our places to move to for a tranquil way of life.
The Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park are right on your doorstep, as well as the less famous, but equally stunning, local countryside.
With excellent schools, a good range of shops, beautiful countryside, affordable housing, and plenty to do, Stirling is famed for having a high quality of life.
Agriculture, food and drink, tourism, life, and chemical sciences make up the majority of employment sectors in Stirling.
If you need to commute to Edinburgh, it is just under an hour by car, whilst Glasgow is just over 40 minutes away.
You can check out commuting times from Stirling using this travel time calculator at www.zoopla.co.uk
What is the average cost of a home in Sterling, Scotland? According to www.zoopla.co.uk, these are the average house prices in Sterling, Scotland:
Detached houses £346,290
Semi-detached houses £213,008
Terraced houses £178,465
Flats £159,614
If you are thinking of moving to Stirling you may find these websites useful:
You may also like to read: The Ultimate Guide to Moving to the Coast of Scotland. If you would like to live by the sea in Scotland then you will find these in-depth guides to the coastline of Scotland invaluable.
Moving to a more peaceful neighbourhood, or even to a more peaceful part of the country, is a dream for many and we hope the information above will make that decision just a little easier for you.
Many factors go into deciding to want to move home. There is a whole range of articles and guides in our home moving blog to help you decide where to move to next, as well as a whole range of guides to make your home move safer, easier, and cheaper.
Good luck with your home move and come back and tell us about it.
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