Shropshire’s picture-postcard gem named one of the UK’s hottest property hotspots

This historic south Shropshire town has outperformed many other locations over the past decade, with average property values climbing from £261,000 to £400,000.

The picturesque town of Clun has been named one of the UK’s fastest-rising property hotspots after house prices surged by 53 per cent over the past decade.

The historic market town, famous for its 15th-century packhorse bridge and atmospheric Norman castle overlooking the River Clun, ranks seventh in a new league table of the UK’s best-performing picture-postcard towns and villages.

Average property prices in Clun have risen from £261,000 in 2016 to £400,000 in 2026, according to research by property software provider Alto.

The figures highlight the enduring appeal of attractive rural locations, even amid a wider property market downturn.

Clun’s rise places it ahead of a number of sought-after locations across England and Wales, including Painswick in Gloucestershire, Appledore in Devon and neighbouring Welsh town Montgomery.

Cornwall’s harbour town of Fowey tops the rankings, with average property values climbing 67 per cent from £350,000 to £585,000 over the same period.

Derbyshire’s Hathersage ranks second, with prices up 63 per cent, while Herefordshire village Weobley takes third place after recording a 57 per cent increase.

Riccardo Iannucci-Dawson, chief executive of Alto, said picturesque locations could continue to attract buyers and support property values over the long term despite challenging market conditions.

“Even in a depressed property market you will find bubbles which out perform other areas because they are gorgeous places to live.

“Clun is one such place, along with all the others in the top ten,” he said.

Alto said its research drew on property sales and rental data from its network of estate agents to identify towns and villages that had delivered strong returns over the past decade.

The full data is available on Alto’s website.