Derbyshire
With a central location, above average affordability and a range of both urban and rural areas, Derbyshire is always a popular choice with homebuyers.
Derbyshire is one of the major regions in the East Midlands, anchored by the city of Derby and surrounded by popular towns such as Chesterfield, Long Eaton, Ilkeston and Swadlincote.
The county has a wide range of comprehensive primary and secondary schools, as well as further education institutions and internationally recognised independent schools. The University of Derby is the main university in the area and is currently ranked 48th in the UK.
Much like its neighbour, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire has seen a huge amount of regeneration over the last 10 years, particularly in Derby city-centre. A £3.5 billion regeneration project is currently running, funding a wave of new amenities and residential developments.
House prices in Derbyshire are much more affordable than the South and have increased by 77% over the last 10 years. The current average house price in Derbyshire is £237,312.
Below we explore why you should consider buying a house in Derbyshire, why you might choose to live in Derbyshire and some of our key developments around the region.
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The Southwell, Kestrel Fields
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Part of Kestrel Fields, Nottinghamshire, East Leake Buy from £93,000 for 40% share Register your interest - Sold Out
The Loughborough, The Maltings
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Part of The Maltings, Beeston, Beeston Buy from £108,000 for a 40% share Register your interest - Sold Out
The Ascot, Kestrel Fields
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Part of Kestrel Fields, Nottinghamshire, East Leake Buy from £ 122,000 for 40% share Register your interest
Is Derbyshire a Good Place to Buy a House?
Derbyshire is often considered one of the better places to live in the country, offering a great mix of beautiful rural villages, built-up metropolitan areas and market towns.
It has a strong sporting background, plenty to see and do, exceptional connections to cities around the country and a strong employment base home to some of the UK’s most well-known companies.
If we consider the things that homebuyers generally choose to look for, Derbyshire ranks well.
Crime Rates
Derbyshire is one of the safer counties in the UK and according to Crimerate.co.uk, has become more safe over the last 4 years.
Some of the safest areas within Derbyshire include Ashbourne, Swadlincote and Long Eaton, which are 30%, 14% and 0.37% safer than the average crime rate in the county respectively.
Education & Schools
Derbyshire has 386 primary schools and 81 secondary schools. 70% of the schools in Derbyshire are rated either ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted, with 234 state schools following the local authority’s admissions criteria.
6% of the schools in Derbyshire are private schools including internationally recognisable names such as Repton School.
For any students considering higher education in Derbyshire, the county is home to the University of Derby which is home to around 34,000 students.
Transport Links
Derbyshire - much like Nottinghamshire - sits at the heart of the UK and Derby is the most central city in the country. This means it has great connections with cities and towns around the country.
East Midlands Rail serves Derbyshire, alongside East Coast trains and Cross Country Trains. Northern Rail provide direct links to cities such as Leeds and Sheffield.
The country itself has an extensive bus network ran by several major operators, connecting the various market towns, villages and cities across the region.
East Midlands Airport offers international links to a range of popular destinations and is easily accessible from anywhere in Derbyshire.
Employment
Derbyshire’s employment rate is 75.7%, higher than both the East Midlands and UK averages.
The county hosts some of the largest employers in the country including Rolls Royce, Bombardier, Toyota, Motorpoint and Vaillant.
Derbyshire has a strong industrial background and continues to offer top opportunities in manufacturing, which has made it a hotspot for professionals in these fields across the entire Midlands.
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Nottinghamshire: Area Guide
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Derbyshire: Area Guide
Learn more about Derbyshire and why it's a great location for Shared Ownership homes in the East Midlands.
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Northamptonshire: Area Guide
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What are Derbyshire House Prices Like?
Thanks to an ongoing program of regeneration, Derbyshire has seen property prices rise at extraordinary rates over the last decade.
In 2023, the average house price in Derbyshire is £237,312, which has risen by £103,000 over the last 10 years.
Despite this above-average growth, Derbyshire still remains one of the most affordable counties in the UK, with a wide selection of quality housing available throughout the market.
Forecasts for the East Midlands going forward are equally positive, which is a good sign for Derbyshire. The most recent JLL report suggests prices may increase by 15% by 2027, even despite external challenges.
Top Destinations in Derbyshire
If you’re considering buying in Derbyshire, where are the best places to buy? With a mix of market towns and rural villages - as well as Derby itself - Derbyshire has plenty to offer potential homebuyers.
Below we run through some of the top areas in Derbyshire that buyers might want to consider:
Ashbourne is often referred to as the ‘gateway’ to the Peak District from Derbyshire and is home to around 9,100 people. Surrounded by beautiful rolling hills, Ashbourne has everything you’d expect from a Derbyshire market town - cobbled streets, great independent eateries and even outdoor markets where you can wile away the hours.
This market town is home to several excellent primary and secondary schools, including the ‘outstanding’ rated ‘Ormaston Primary School’ and the historic Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School.
Ashbourne has plenty to offer residents including a range of independent shops and highly recommended eateries just a stone’s throw away - including The Lighthouse Restaurant and The Cow. Just fancy a coffee? You’ll find The Little Shed or Jack Rabbit’s is ideal.
Other notable attractions include the Tissington Trail, a 13-mile route that starts in Ashbourne and runs through the Peaks to Buxton.
Swadlincote is a market town nestled amongst a vast swathe of greenery, steeped in history and rapidly growing in popularity with homebuyers.
Located near Burton-on-Trent, with easy access to Derby and Leicester, Swadlincote also has links to Birmingham via the M42 and East Midlands Airport.
Swadlincote is one of the main towns at the heart of The National Forest, meaning it has over 200 square miles of historic forests, new woodlands and water features all in its backyard. If you’re looking for some active downtime or want a day out with the family, the Forest can provide you with plenty to do.
Elsewhere in the town you’ll find the usual array of supermarkets, larger retailers and independent bars and restaurants, most of which are located in Swadlincote’s Retail and Leisure Centre, which hosts 150 big-name retail outlets.
Derby is a major city in the UK and as such, is highly popular with homebuyers that want to be closer to the amenities that only a city can offer.
A £3.5 billion regeneration project has transformed the city, creating new mixed-use spaces, residential developments and leisure amenities. In turn, this has transformed the quality of life in the city and enticed a new wave of residents.
Despite being a smaller city than say, Nottingham, Derby is packed with great retail hotspots, exceptional connectivity and culture. From Bustler Market to the Derby Arena and Derby County FC, there’s always something to see and do in this growing city.