The 'cheap Cotswolds' attracting new residents

More people are leaving cities behind in search of cheaper homes, more space and easier access to the countryside, with the Forest of Dean emerging as an increasingly popular destination for buyers priced out of nearby Bristol.

The Gloucestershire district, which lies between the River Severn and the Welsh border, has long been known for its ancient woodlands, market towns and rural communities.

Estate agents say it is now drawing new residents from across the South West who want countryside living without the price tag associated with the nearby Cotswolds.

Local estate agent Glen Webb said many buyers see the area as a more affordable alternative to one of England's most sought-after rural locations: "The Forest is really such a brilliant asset to Gloucestershire. It's a cheap version of the Cotswolds and people sort of love it for that reason."

The Cotswolds, which stretch across parts of Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and neighbouring counties, are known for their picturesque villages and honey-coloured stone cottages, making them one of the country's most popular countryside destinations, beloved by celebrities, but also one of its most expensive housing markets.

Among those who have made the move are Sarah Elvins and Allan Warfield, who left Bristol for the Forest of Dean in 2022 after separate divorces left them unable to afford to remain in the city.

The couple say their home cost around £250,000 less than a comparable Bristol property and, despite occasional trips back for work, they would not return to urban life.

Researchers say the trend reflects growing demand for rural living but can also drive up house prices and increase pressure on local infrastructure.

Ken Fording now lives in Lydney after moving from Filton, Bristol, in 2025.

He said the "vast volumes of traffic" and "the way the high streets have changed" pushed the decision to move.

"It was either fast food restaurants or three barbers in a row, we wanted a nicer area."

Fording said that he wanted to avoid the "rat race style of life" and "it is quieter, not as much traffic and we have everything we need here."

He still commutes back to Bristol twice a week to play football and added he "catches the traffic in Chepstow but other than football I look to stay in the Forest as much as possible".

The trend reflects wider changes in where people are choosing to live, according to Dr Alan Marvell, a geographer at the University of Gloucestershire.

"Households are more commonly exchanging commuting time for more affordable housing, increased space and access to rural amenities," he said.

"New residents to an area bring spending power, new skills and can help sustain rural communities, but they can also lead to increasing housing prices, greater car dependency and put pressure on local infrastructure.

"The issue is not whether people from Bristol should move to the Forest of Dean, but whether housing, employment, transport and local services are being planned to accommodate this."

Webb, from Steve Gooch estate agents, said demand from buyers moving out of cities had helped transform perceptions of the area.

He said the trend of people moving from cities to rural areas is not new, although factors including the removal of Severn Bridge tolls and changing attitudes following the Covid pandemic have helped make the Forest more attractive to buyers from Bristol and beyond.

Webb said while it led to a rise in rent and house prices in the area, things are now "on a level playing field."

"People I have spoken to who move from Bristol, Swindon, from further afield, they all said moving to the Forest was the best decision they have made."

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