East of England Property Buying Guide

Thanks to its charming seaside towns like Southend-on-Sea, spectacular stretches of countryside like the marshy Fenlands and historic cities including Cambridge and Norwich, homes in the East of England have grown in popularity over recent years. The southern part of the region lies within the London commuter belt, which makes it ideal for city workers, too.

Whether you’re a landlord with a nationwide portfolio or you’re thinking of investing in a property for the first time, you can browse our mortgage options to get started. Looking to buy your first home in the region? We have great offers available. 

Colchester is one of the main up-and-coming spots in the region, with property prices up 8% between 2020 and 2023. The city was the first to be founded by the Romans and is a good choice for buying more for your money. Properties here are also favoured for their proximity to London, only an hour away by road and rail.

You might also want to consider the historic cathedral city of Bedford, which sits along the banks of the Great River Ouse. This county town is surrounded by greenery, including Bedford Park and Paxton Pits Nature Reserve while offering easy access to Northampton and Milton Keynes.Bedford’s flourishing property market has recorded a house price increase of 12% from 2020 to 2023.

If you’d prefer to live closer to the coast, houses in Basildon could suit your needs. This town is less than 30 miles from London and is just a short drive from the banks of the River Thames, where it flows into the North Sea. Property prices grew a little over 10% from 2022 to 2023.

Woodbridge

Chelmsford

Aylsham

On the southern banks of the River Bure, Aylsham is an excellent choice for first-time buyers and investors. It offers access to the coast, with seaside towns like Cromer and Trimingham nearby. It’s also an ideal option for families, thanks to attractions like the Bure Valley Railway and the Redwings Horse Sanctuary.

Ely

Epping

Norwich

Ofsted rankings of best schools in the East of England

Watton

Hawkwell

Hawkwell is near the Essex coast, close to various beaches, rivers and nature reserves. Living here means enjoying the outdoors while still commuting easily to London for work or leisure.

Woburn

Only 6 miles from Milton Keynes, Woburn is surrounded by farmland and parks. Woburn Safari Park and Woburn Abbey are right on your doorstep, perfect for family days out. 

East England is a varied region, home to iconic tourist destinations, royal estates, historic landmarks and glorious stretches of countryside.

This part of the UK is well-connected, with transport links including major roads and railways. The M1 from London to Milton Keynes, the M11 to Cambridge and the M25 through Hertfordshire and Essex are three main motorways running through East England.

Route 5 West Anglia and Route 7 Great Eastern are highly efficient railway links. At the same time, connections run from London to Norwich, London to Cambridge and London to Southend. East England also has an international ferry port, Harwich International Port in Essex.

Whether you want to buy your home or invest in a buy to let property, take advantage of local transport links to get to work. Or use them to explore the area’s sparkling rivers, swathes of lush open spaces and bustling cities.

Buying your home in Luton

Beyond various parks and open spaces, Luton is a pleasant town in Bedfordshire, just an hour away from London. Commuting into the capital is easy thanks to excellent road and rail links. At the same time, beautiful countryside spots like Pegsdon Chiltern Hills nature reserves are also close at hand.

Average property prices here increased by around 16% between 2016 and 2021.

Leighton Buzzard

Leighton Buzzard is ideal for commuters travelling into London and families looking for a quiet home in the Bedfordshire countryside. This town is located midway between Milton Keynes and Aylesbury.

Buying your home in Norwich

Norwich’s majestic cathedral and Norman castle bookend the city centre, making it a destination of choice among buyers. Along the banks of the River Wensum, the city is home to Broads national park and exciting sites like Thetford and Wymondham.

Norfolk’s property market saw the highest increase in house prices across the region between 2020 and 2023, with average prices up by 13%, followed by Suffolk with a 12% increase. Norwich’s house prices rose by 12%.  

Sprowston

Cringleford

Buying your home in Peterborough

Located along the banks of the River Nene, this pleasant town in Cambridgeshire is an important artistic and historic centre, home to a beautiful cathedral and Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery.

With Ferry Meadows next door and excellent links to London, the city is brilliant for commuters and families. Peterborough has seen an increase of just under 10% in property prices between 2020 and 2023.

Ramsey

Southeast of Peterborough in the beautiful Cambridgeshire countryside, Ramsey offers a quiet, rural way of life, perfect for families or older couples.

Buying your home in Ipswich

Steeped in history yet modern and lively, Ipswich is a beautiful city to call home. It’s packed with an incredible variety of entertainment and hospitality, from theatres and cinemas to clubs and restaurants. With the Suffolk Coast and the Dedham Vale to explore, this part of the East of England is a real gem.

Buying your home in Cambridge

With more Nobel Prize winners than any other city, Cambridge is teeming with culture, art and history. Famous for being home to one of the best universities in the world, the city is bustling and diverse. There’s something to cater to all tastes here, from major exhibitions and thriving theatrical performances to exciting punting tours along the canals.

Trumpington