Leeds property: House buyers in Wetherby paying premium of £200,000 compared to houses elsewhere in West Yorkshire

People looking to buy a property in the market town can expect to may 98 per cent more than the county's average house price.

The average house price in West Yorkshire is currently £199,610.

In Wetherby prices are on average £395,315.

This is a difference of 98 per cent and a cost of £195,705.

Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire commands the biggest premium compared with house prices in the surrounding county, with average property values there costing 155 per cent more than the county average.

Homes in the town command an average price of £1.13 million.

However, Wetherby is second on the list followed by Alresford in Hampshire (97 per cent), Keswick in Cumbria (95 per cent), and Bakewell in Derbyshire (94 per cent).

The top three most expensive market towns remain unchanged compared with 2019, with Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire, (£858,772) and Alresford, Hampshire, (£703,371) taking second and third spots respectively.

House hunters in County Durham have some of the most affordable opportunities to benefit from beautiful countryside, historic locations, and good links to vibrant cities, the report said.

The premiums in all these areas increased compared with 2019, Halifax said.

Russell Galley, managing director, Halifax, said: “Market towns offer so much for house buyers, including rich history, period properties, green spaces and tourism. And while they might still come at a premium, many market town homes are much more affordable – like Ferryhill and Crook in County Durham where average house prices are under £150,000."

Mr Galley added: “Anyone looking to make the most of their budget could do well to consider looking at the towns and villages near to a historic market town, which can be close enough to take advantage of all the benefits associated with these areas, whilst perhaps avoiding the premium price tag.”

Here are the 10 market towns with the highest premium-to-county house prices in 2020, according to Halifax.

Figures show the average house price in the market town followed by the average house price in the county, and the premium in percentage and cash terms:

1. Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, £1,134,293, £445,269, 155%, £689,024

2. Wetherby, West Yorkshire, £395,315, £199,610, 98%, £195,705

3. Alresford, Hampshire, £703,371, £357,849, 97%, £345,522

4. Keswick, Cumbria, £385,071, £197,490, 95%, £187,582

5. Bakewell, Derbyshire, £424,491, £218,706, 94%, £205,785

6. Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, £858,772, £447,213, 92%, £411,559

=7. Southwell, Nottinghamshire, £374,281, £209,002, 79%, £165,279

=7. Altrincham, Cheshire, £499,792, £279,252, 79%, £220,540

9. Stamford, Lincolnshire, £371,608, £219,080, 70%, £152,528

10. Marlborough, Wiltshire, £514,491, £307,400, 67%, £207,091

Here are the 10 most expensive market towns in England in 2020, according to Halifax:

1. Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, South East, £1,134,293

2. Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, South East, £858,772

3. Alresford, Hampshire, South East, £703,371

4. Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire, South West, £557,168

5. Ringwood, Hampshire, South East, £534,330

6. Tenterden, Kent, South East, £524,092

7. Petersfield, Hampshire, South East, £515,175

8. Lewes, Sussex, South East, £514,868

9. Marlborough, Wiltshire, South West, £514,491

10. Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, South West, £509,798