barclays

Comparing expected yields, capital appreciation and local conditions such as employment growth, Barclays Bank has drawn up a list of UK property investment hotspots.
Here, with our own (subjective) commentary, in reverse order, are the winners:

20 – Stratford-on-Avon
Shakespeare’s birthplace, a leafy, peaceful town on the river but convenient for both Bristol and Birmingham.

19 – Hart, Hampshire
Neighbouring the M4 tech corridor between London and Reading, this is a high growth, high employment area.

18 – East Renfrewshire
Scotland’s only entry in the top 20, just to the south of Glasgow and stacked with highly qualified residents with good employment prospects.

17 – Windsor
Splendid town, nestled around the Queen’s favourite castle and the river Thames. Always an excellent choice.

16 – Rushcliffe, Nottinghamshire
High earning locals are putting pressure on property values in this area of the East Midlands.

15 – Elmbridge, Surrey
Solid stockbroker belt Surrey town, where values are expected to rise by 26 per cent in the coming five years.

14 – East Dorset
The town of Wimborne in East Dorset has a high level of business start-ups, propelling the local property market

13 – Waverley, Surrey
Families in this area are renting in higher numbers, pushing up rates.

12 – Hertsmere, Hertfordshire
Easy commuting into London makes this area extremely attractive to many investors.

11 – South Nottinghamshire
With employment rates above 83 per cent, property values close to Milton Keynes are likely to rise by 29 per cent by 2021.

10 – Warwick
An excellent university, an ancient castle and a mellow atmosphere. Warwick is a prime choice for investors.

9 – Mole Valley, Surrey
Business start-ups are fuelling property values in this leafy area.

8 – Saffron Walden
Close to the city of Cambridge, this market town has charm and character.

7 – Wandsworth
West London borough south of the river, home to many in the finance industry.

6 – Cotswolds
The other side of Oxford from London, stuffed with pretty villages and rolling hills, properties in the Cotswolds are increasingly desirable.

5 – Westminster
At the heart of London, Westminster property values still have further to rise, according to Barclays, which predicts a 31.9 per cent increase by 2021.

4 – Camden
This north London borough takes in some of the capital’s finest housing (Regents Park for example) and has exceptional transport links including Kings Cross.

3 – Rickmansworth
Hertfordshire town on a pleasant river, with good commuting links and greenery.

2 – St Albans
One of the loveliest towns within easy reach of London, Barclays predicts property value rises of 38.8 per cent by 2021.

1 – Richmond
Home to multiple celebrities, this West London borough on the Thames is already very expensive, but still has far to go, says Barclays.