As of December 2020, the average price of property in Wales is £184,195. With property values more than £200k in excess of that, let us delve deeper into the top five highest valued towns in Wales.
- Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan (£479,180)
Settled in South Wales and crowned the ‘Best Place to Live in Wales’ by The Sunday Times is the fashionable, historic market town of Cowbridge. Known in Welsh as Y Bont-faen (AKA the Stone Bridge), this town is in a fabulous location just ten miles from the sea and a mere half-hour-drive away from Penarth and Cardiff.
With plenty of independent restaurants and shops on its High Street, it is now known as one of Wales’ “most fashionable places to see and be seen”. The area was once a Roman settlement, evidenced by the South Gate and portions of walls still standing, but is now a modern market town known for its chic boutiques and bistros.
- Usk, Monmouthshire (£389,780)
Nestled along the River Usk is the alluring “Town of Flowers”, famous for its floral displays and frequent features in Wales in Bloom and Britain in Bloom. Saturated with 28 historic sites including a Norman castle overlooking the town, Victorian court room, charming churches and 17th-century buildings embellishing the cobbled streets, you will find this delightful town in the gorgeous Monmouthshire countryside’s core.
Presenting numerous fishing opportunities, Usk’s namesake river is plentiful with salmon and wild brown trout. The river also grants a place for riverside picnics, playgrounds, and paddles, in addition to serene strolls and cycling paths. Spanning the river is Usk Bridge, a beautiful stone bridge with five arches, acting as the west entrance to the heart of the town.
- Newport, Pembrokeshire (£366,410)
This desirable vacation spot on the Pembrokeshire coast has been a busy port since its founding in the 12th century. The idyllic town is perfectly perched on the north coast of Pembrokeshire, providing stunning scenes of the mountains, sea, and Pembrokeshire National Park.
Although many coastal towns are labelled ‘sleepy’, you will find this place is a contrasting mixture of laid-back and bustling with plenty to see and do. Newport bestows some of the quietest beaches and lovely coastal walks upon its locals and visitors alike, as well as a variety of pubs and restaurants to refuel after all that swimming, surfing, and sailing. For those history buffs, the Mynydd Carningli (Mount of Angels) flanks the town and provides spectacular views along with ancient legends, monuments, and remains dotted along the way.
- Crickhowell, Powys (£353,050)
Burrowed south of the Black Mountains and just east of the Brecon Beacons National Park is the picturesque town of Crickhowell. Adding to the beauty of this town is the Usk River and Valley, with Crickhowell Bridge attracting visitors to view its impressive 13 arches dating back to 1706.
The Times labelled the town one of the ‘Best Places to Live in the UK 2019’ with its high street named the best in Britain in 2018. An ideal base for exploring the Brecon Beacons, this place has many family-owned businesses passed down from generation to generation, making it the only town in Wales without any national chains.
- Monmouth, Monmouthshire (£340,950)
With famous connections including Henry V, Queen, Oasis and Simple Minds, Monmouth has been attracting tourists since 1780. Tucked in the middle of the Wye Valley, the town is encompassed by marvellous countryside and is ideally situated with excellent transport links.
Its distinctive 13th century gatehouse bridge is the last remaining of its type in Britain, while other fine Victorian and Georgian architecture complement the range of both independent and national shops and restaurants.