Guildford in Surrey has been crowned the best rural destination to relocate to in the UK.

The research, which was conducted by the team at Compare My Move, ranked over 70 popular rural towns and villages in England and Wales, based on factors including average house price, median salary, hours of sunlight, rainfall, download speed and number of restaurants.

While Surrey took the top spot, the beautiful cathedral city of St. Albans in Hertfordshire came second place — a place famed for its rich history.

The most affordable rural location is the northern market town of Barnard Castle, which has the lowest average house price of £188,327. Meanwhile, Chichester was found to be the city with the most amount of sunlight.

Planning to relocate? Take a look at the full list below...

20 best countryside towns and villages to move to in the UK

  1. Guildford, Surrey (87.45 score in the study)
  2. St. Albans, Hertfordshire (86.48)
  3. Shere, Surrey (85.52)
  4. Dorchester-on-Thames, Oxfordshire (81.43)
  5. Wallingford, Oxfordshire (77.83)
  6. Caversham, Berkshire (77.44)
  7. Leamington Spa, Leamington Spa (76.78)
  8. Alresford, Hampshire (76.44)
  9. Aylesford, Kent (75.51)
  10. Ingatestone, Essex (74.92)
  11. West Mersea, Essex (74.60)
  12. Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (74.13)
  13. Epping, Essex (74.13)
  14. Farnham, Surrey (73.79)
  15. Altrincham, Greater Manchester (72.28)
  16. Chichester, West Sussex (72.94)
  17. Deal, Kent (72.07)
  18. Bishop's Waltham, Hampshire (72.03)
  19. Sevenoaks, Kent (71.11)
  20. Uppingham, Rutland (70.18)
st albans from abovepinterest
NeonJellyfish//Getty Images
St Albans took the second spot

'The coronavirus pandemic has seen many people reconsidering their living situation, with a large number of city dwellers ditching urban living and relocating to rural areas for a slower-paced life in the beautiful English countryside,' says Dave Sayce, Managing Director at Compare My Move.

'It's easy to see why people are choosing a quiet life in the country as the UK is home to some of the world's most beautiful rural towns and villages. It's not surprising to see the top rural destinations are near London, with the likes of Guildford and St Albans proving popular places for Londoners to escape to, whilst having the benefit of quick and easy transport links into the city.'

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New home gifts: 20 really good housewarming gift ideas
Seychelles Home Scenting Set
Seychelles Home Scenting Set
Credit: The White Company

This is a bestseller for a reason. This lovely gift set from The White Company includes the Seychelles signature candle, room spray and diffuser for a home that will smell truly delightful. This scent combines notes of evocative bergamot, bright orange and fresh coconut, with a hint of green jasmine, warming amber and buttery vanilla. Divine!

Smeg Hand Blender Set
Smeg Hand Blender Set

If you're looking for a practical housewarming gift, you can't go wrong with Smeg. If your recipient has a penchant for sky blue shades (and getting hands-on in the kitchen), then snap up this fabulous blender set for endless uses.

Black+Blum Antique Candle Holder
Black+Blum Antique Candle Holder
Credit: Amazon

This antique-style candle holder is a brilliant gift for the person who appreciates a good tablescape. They can use it to dress their dinner table or simply style on a sideboard. It's handmade and crafted from high quality chromed steel with a brass finish, which gives it that antique look. Don't forget to buy some taper candles so they can set the scene right away!

Personalised Map Location Couples Key Holder
Personalised Map Location Couples Key Holder
Now 20% Off

This stainless steel map location key holder displays the location of a new home, the address and chosen names. It's a great idea that not only pays homage to a new neighbourhood, but keeps keys safe and in one place!

Ceramic Little Book of Flowers Vase
Ceramic Little Book of Flowers Vase
Credit: Lisa Angel

Is it a vase? Is it a book? This rather beautiful ceramic vase, shaped like a hardback book, is perfect for displaying dried flowers. Decorated like a classic novel with pretty floral details, this would ideally look at home on a bookshelf or mantel.

Mila Decanter - Dark Emerald
Mila Decanter - Dark Emerald
Credit: Nkuku

Championing consciously designed interiors, Nkuku is one of our favourites for quality, crafted pieces that will stand the test of time. A perfect new home gift, this decanter made from recycled glass has a lovely etched detailing on the base. If you've got a generous budget, buy the set of four tumblers to match.

Peonies (Floramour)
Peonies (Floramour)
Now 15% Off
Credit: Amazon

Peonies are fleeting beauties and this lovely coffee table book captures this beloved flower in abundance. Not just for show, inside you'll find photos of blooming peonies alongside fascinating botanical knowledge and an overview of the plant's cultural history by author Anja Klaffenbach. The book series includes succulents, roses, orchids and lilies, so the whole (rather colourful) set would make a lovely housewarming gift for green-fingered types.

Acacia Wood Round Board
Acacia Wood Round Board

This one's a kitchen must-have. Other than chopping up vegetables for dinner, this round acacia wood board is a rustic way to serve up canapés and other tasty treats. Carved by hand in India, it's shaped and chiselled using traditional woodworking techniques.

Unkillable Bundle
Unkillable Bundle
Credit: Prickle

Buying a housewarming gift for a new plant parent? You can't go wrong with an unkillable bundle. The set includes the cast iron plant, robusta rubber plant and the snake plant.

Red Coffee Cups and Saucers (4 cups, 4 saucers)
Red Coffee Cups and Saucers (4 cups, 4 saucers)

Make every coffee break a bright one with this cup and saucer set, just like those used across all the Grind cafés. We love the rich red glossy glaze and contrasting white trim on the plate and inner cup. You can choose from espresso (80ml), flat white (180ml) and cappuccino (200ml).

Kate Spade Picture Dot Letter Tray, Black
Kate Spade Picture Dot Letter Tray, Black
Now 50% Off

Organisation is key when creating a streamlined home, so we think this Kate Spade letter tray would make the perfect gift. It can be positioned on a console table or desk to collate letters and ensure everything remains in one place.

Salt & Pepper Grinders
Salt & Pepper Grinders
Credit: Not Another Bill

Even for those who prefer a neutral, pared-back home, the kitchen is an ideal space to introduce colour. We love these vibrant salt and pepper grinders by Alessi (sold separately) that will perfectly transition from a kitchen worktop to a dining table.

Always Pan Duo
Always Pan Duo
Now 28% Off

Another kitchen essential, budding or keen cooks will no doubt appreciate the viral Always Pan. No meal is off-limits with this colourful duo.

William Morris At Home Tea Towels
William Morris At Home Tea Towels

A kitchen staple, you can never have too many tea towels in our opinion. We've added these to the list because any style-conscious lover will appreciate the beauty of William Morris prints!

Amara Ceramic Heart Bowls Set of Three
Amara Ceramic Heart Bowls Set of Three
Credit: Oliver Bonas

These glazed pastel stacking heart bowls are simply beautiful. Painted with reactive glazes, each has a distinctive finish which makes it all the more unique.

Halcyon Incense Sticks
Halcyon Incense Sticks
Credit: Letterbox Gifts

For the person who loves a scented home, choose from three scents: Black Pomegranate (black), Sea Grass (navy) and Nag Champa (mustard yellow). The set includes a gold foiled presentation box with 15 handcrafted incense sticks.

Chambray Blue Lacquered Scallop Photo Frame
Chambray Blue Lacquered Scallop Photo Frame
Credit: Addison Ross

Give the gift of a lovely new photo frame, perfect for a sideboard or home office. This one's finished with an on-trend scalloped-edge in a glossy mid-blue hue.

Coconut fibre doormat
Coconut fibre doormat
Credit: H&M Home

Practical gifts will always be appreciated. The perfect home greeting, this rectangular coconut fibre doormat emblazoned with the word 'welcome' is a must-have for a new abode.

Personalised Cheese Board and Tool Set
Personalised Cheese Board and Tool Set
Credit: Etsy

This is a brilliant personalised new home gift for cheese lovers. Sure to take pride of place in the kitchen, it can be personalised with a name of your choosing. It's cleverly designed too, with a hidden compartment containing a set of cheese knives.

Ozar Seagrass Bowl
Ozar Seagrass Bowl
Credit: Abigail Ahern

There are some items that will always have a place in the home, and a versatile bowl is one of them. This one is made from intricately woven black seagrass and finished with a criss cross decorative pattern.

Headshot of Lisa Joyner
Lisa Joyner
Deputy Daily Editor, Country Living and House Beautiful

 Lisa Joyner is the Deputy Daily Editor at House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, where she's busy writing about home and interiors, gardening, dog breeds, pets, health and wellbeing, countryside news, small space inspiration, and the hottest properties on the market. Previously, she has written for Conde Nast Traveller, House & Garden and Marie Claire magazine. Lisa studied at University For The Creative Arts, where she completed a BA in Fashion Journalism.