Homes in rural spots have soared in popularity this year with one in west Wales taking the top spot for the most viewed property on Zoopla in 2025.
The property portal has revealed the most-viewed listings on its website this year – and none of the top three locations are in England.
In fact, they are all in rural coastal locations – from the north coast of Scotland to a tiny 500-home village in Wales.
1. Three-bedroom family home, Pencader, £230,000
This year’s most viewed property is a character-filled three-bedroom property in west Wales which could be yours for £230,000.
This freehold, chain-free home is nestled in the village of Pencader, which is made up of just 500 properties, two shops, two pubs and an Anglican church.
Buyers can enjoy two bathrooms, a rustic farmhouse-style kitchen and rural views from every single window on the property.
There’s also a patio-style balcony for buyers to enjoy the beautiful greenery right on their doorstep.
Period features such as a stone fireplace remain in the property.
Eco-conscious families will be glad to know there is an air-source heat pump already installed along with solar panels which could slash your energy bills.
The property is just a 23-minute drive from the historic town of Carmarthen, which has a rich history. There are castle ruins, an indoor market and a museum.
Plus, the lucky buyers who snapped up this property are just 12 miles south of the Ceredigion coastline, perfect for keen walkers or those who enjoy watersports.
The property is an extremely rural location, which marks a shift in the most popular homes.
Prospective buyers had been shunning countryside and seaside locations for commuter belt spots as remote working during the pandemic shifted to hybrid working.
But now it seems the appetite for quieter spots nestled in a village is rising once again.
2. Six-bedroom villa, Prestwick, £1.8million
Another rural home takes the silver spot for the most viewed property this year – but this time it’s a £1.8million villa in Scotland.
This home may be in the country, but it is anything but quaint. It is described on Zoopla as a ‘truly exceptional lifestyle estate’ and the asking price was a cool £1.8million.
But if you take a closer look at this luxurious property it is not hard to see why.
The lavish villa – named Bogside House – is a six-bedroom, six-bathroom, four-reception room masterpiece.
The property has a modern finish inside with plenty of glossy surfaces and white lighting but has a country-house feel from the outside.
It is set within 11 acres of private grounds, which are complete with a floodlit 4G pitch suitable for tennis, football and basketball.
Plus, golf lovers are in for a treat with a nine-hole course within the luxurious grounds.
But inside there is also a gym, swimming pool, nine-person sauna and a steam room which is suitable for impressing guests or a well-deserved relaxing afternoon. Guests will also be impressed with the conservatory with a built-in firepit table.
The home is complete with an entertainment area with a pool table and a custom-built bar.
The spot is just 3.4 miles from Glasgow Prestwick Airport and 33 miles from Glasgow’s main airport.
3. One-bedroom studio, Strathy, £75,000
The third-most viewed listing this year couldn’t be further from Prestwick’s glamorous sprawling countryside villa.
A tiny studio at the very top of Scotland takes the bronze spot. Buyers can snap up this property for just £75,000.
The one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment is perfect for a keen walker or someone who wants to be immersed in the Romantic coastline.
Situated in Strathy – a community in Sutherland, the Scottish Highlands – the lucky buyer would need to be comfortable with a 30-minute drive to the nearest significant shops in Thurso, to the east.
Despite its small size, it is well-thought out and looks roomy. There is a modern kitchen next to the ‘sitting room’, which is a small leisure space with views of the coast. For outside spaces, there is a shared courtyard.
Plus, the bedroom is smart with hardwood floors and the bathroom looks like it has been renovated fairly recently.
The owners will be living right on top of the coast and they may even be able to see the Northern Lights.
While there is 4G coverage, owners must be prepared for no 5G coverage.
4. Five-bed house, Tongland, £330,000
This family home is located in the village of Tongland, close to Kirkcudbright in Dumfries and Galloway.
It dates back to the 1870s and was formerly used as a fishing lodge, retaining many of its original features.
The home sits in 1.88 acres of grounds and includes a wraparound driveway and large conservatory.
5. Four-bed home, Portland, Dorset, £625,000
This unique home is located on the Isle of Portland, off the coast of Weymouth in Dorset.
It offers panoramic views of Weymouth Bay, Chesil Beach, and the Jurassic Coastline but is also close to The Verne prison.
It has four double bedrooms, a garage, generous grounds and layers of historic tunnels underneath. This is because the home was originally part of the island’s old fort.
6.Three-bed house, Dundonald, £220,000
Positioned in Dundonald in South Ayrshire, Scotland, this well-preserved period home has been recently refurbished throughout.
The sixth most-viewed home of the year offers a spacious lounge and dining area, kitchen, modern shower room, downstairs toilet and a south west-facing garden.
7. Five-bed house, Wirksworth, Derbyshire
Rock House in the village of Wirksworth in Derbyshire, close to the Peak District, was the seventh most-viewed home of 2025.
The five-bed home requires full renovation, but also offers plenty of attractive features including 0.97 acres of land as well as a detached stone barn and generous gardens.
The price it was sold for is unknown.
8. Five-bed home, Callander, £800,000
The beautiful Pass House in the village of Kilmahog near Callander in Stirlingshire sold earlier this year for £800,000.
It is easy to see why the home piqued interest online, with its stunning river views, period features and location close to the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.
It covers an impressive 5,925 sq ft and sits on 1.5 acres.
9. Three-bed bungalow, Carmarthen, £105,000
Bungalows are always in high demand, and Zoopla’s ninth most-popular listing shows that buyers aren’t afraid of a renovation project if it means they can snag a single-storey home.
This property in Carmarthen, Wales, needs extensive refurbishment but was sold at auction with a guide price of £105,000.
10.Two-bed house, Halton, £650,000
With its tranquil location on the banks of the River Lune, it is easy to see why the Boat House in Halton near Lancaster was previously used as a holiday cottage.
The Victorian home’s key feature is its wet dock boat house, which comes with its own family of resident otters.
