Gower in Wales has been crowned the most up-and-coming property hotspot in the UK, famed for its dramatic cliffs, hidden coves and vast swathes of smooth sand.

The peninsula, just a short drive from Swansea, was named an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty back in 1956. It might attract a steady flow of holidaymakers each year, but new research by Boomin found it has become increasingly popular with house hunters, thanks to its quality of schools, property prices and low crime rates.

After analysing more than 600 areas across the UK, the team also discovered that other popular areas include Wigan and Central Manchester in the North West of England, plus the dreamy Welsh towns of Monmouth and Aberavon. Despite lockdown restrictions easing, buyers are continuing to leave urban areas in favour of more rural locations.

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Chris Griffiths//Getty Images
Monmouthshire, Wales, UK

"It's no surprise to see Gower heading up the list of the most up-and-coming property hotspots in the UK," Jonathan Morgan, Director of BJP Residential, says. "Being the UK's first ever official area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and playing home to one of the most bucket-listed beaches in the world in Rhossili beach, it's always been a hotspot, but with the rise in workplaces offering remote working following the pandemic, it's made Gower even more inviting than it already was."

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Aberavon beach, Port Talbot

    Want to make a move? Take a look at the full findings below...

    20 up-and-coming property hotspots in the UK

    1. Gower, Glamorgan, Wales
    2. Wigan, Greater Manchester
    3. Manchester Central, Greater Manchester
    4. Monmouth, Monmouthshire
    5. Ogmore-by-Sea, Glamorgan, Wales
    6. Aberavon, Port Talbot, Wales
    7. Rochdale, Greater Manchester
    8. Leigh, Greater Manchester
    9. Stourbridge, Worcestershire
    10. Torfaen, Monmouthshire, Wales
    11. Stretford, Greater Manchester
    12. Ludlow, Shropshire
    13. Wythenshawe, Cheshire
    14. Pudsey, West Yorkshire
    15. Ards and North Down, Northern Ireland
    16. Oldham, Greater Manchester
    17. Burton, East Staffordshire
    18. Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire
    19. Heywood, Greater Manchester
    20. Headingley, North West Leeds
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    Headshot of Lisa Joyner
    Lisa Joyner
    Deputy Daily Editor, Country Living and House Beautiful

     Lisa Joyner is the Deputy Daily Editor at House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, where she's busy writing about home and interiors, gardening, dog breeds, pets, health and wellbeing, countryside news, small space inspiration, and the hottest properties on the market. Previously, she has written for Conde Nast Traveller, House & Garden and Marie Claire magazine. Lisa studied at University For The Creative Arts, where she completed a BA in Fashion Journalism.