A new property ‘Golden Triangle’ is taking over areas of both Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, with an influx of former city dwellers making moves according to property experts.

The triangle with points at Cirencester to the North, Swindon to the East and Chippenham to the West is home to chocolate-box villages, affluent towns and links to key locations such as Bristol, Bath, Oxford and London.

At the heart of the Golden Triangle, is Minety Lower Moor, halfway between Malmesbury and Swindon.

The village has seen property prices rise by 17% over the past year and the average price of £477,971 is 11 per cent up on the 2018 peak of £426,672.

Sarah Williams, sales director for housebuilder Wainhomes has seen first-hand the popularity of this burgeoning Golden Triangle.

Wainhomes recently sold out its Royal Wootton Bassett development of 92 homes well ahead of schedule and is experiencing high demand at its Saxon Meadows development in South Cerney and Tadpole Village in Swindon.

She said: “People talk about the ‘Cheshire Golden Triangle’ characterised by luxury homes in affluent towns and villages surrounded by pleasant countryside but Wilshire and Gloucestershire now have their own triangle which can offer all of the above with the added bonus of great commuter access to London.

“For people with jobs in the city who may now be working fewer days in the office, this region is proving exceptionally popular and people are finding a better quality of life in a more rural setting yet still have good access to the town and cities.

“Whereas property prices in some Cotswolds areas may prove prohibitive to some, there are excellent value properties within the Cirencester, Chippenham, Swindon triangle which still offer quick access to the areas of natural beauty but give people far more house for their money.”

Sarah’s view is validated by the Land Registry’s UK House Price Index which has shown an increase in the number of first time buyers across Gloucestershire and Wiltshire to be 9 and 9.5% respectively in the year to March 2021.

Andrew Clark of estate agents Allen & Harris added: “A combination of factors have led to first time buyers choosing this area to get a foot on the property ladder.

“Stamp duty holidays, money saved from not being able to holiday abroad and a desire for more space fuelled by the experiences of social distancing have all played a part in people looking to buy a new home and this specific region ticks all the boxes.

“The main footfall I am seeing are people from the outskirts of London, Surrey and Herefordshire and the number of applicants looking to move to this area has more than doubled in recent months with stock at an all-time low.

“We are experiencing record levels of interest in the area which show no sign of slowing down so now is a great time to buy.”

Rightmove have selected seven homes currently for sale within the Gloucestershire/Wilshire ‘Golden Triangle.'

2-bedroom character apartment, Highworth, Swindon, £169,000

https://www.allenandharris.co.uk/houses-for-sale/property-details/HWT104851

You could amaze family and friends in this two-bedroom, character apartment on the first floor of Grade II listed Old School House in Highworth. The property includes a large loft with arch beams with the potential for conversion subject to planning.

4-bedroom barn conversion, Lower Seagry, £835,000

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/104967725#/

An interesting conversion of a former cow byre in the semi-rural village of Lower Seagry. This property has a separate detached annex and sits within 1.3 acres of land. Perfect for horse owners, there are two stables and a tack room.

5-bedroom detached family new-build, South Cerney £660,000

A substantial new-build, five-bedroom family home from Wainhomes in South Cerney. Three-storey living is proving more popular than ever given the versatility it offers and this one has the Cotswolds on the doorstep and all the benefits of owning a brand new home

4/5 bedroom detached, Chippenham, £975,000

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/109644683#/

A substantial four/five bedroom family home in Chippenham with 1 acre of land and a private mooring on the banks of the River Avon. The garden and views make this a must-see property.

4-bedroom former coaching inn, Chippenham, £490,000

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/86664823#/

This conversion of a 17th Century Grade II listed former coach house is full of original character. Open fires and a wealth of exposed timbers all add to the historic appeal.

2-bedroom bungalow, Crudwell, £350,000

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/106226054#/

Bungalows have an enduring appeal and this two-bedroom detached bungalow is conveniently located in Crudwell, close to Cirencester. Recently refurbished, all the hard work has been done and there’s even scope for an attic conversion

2-bed apartment, central Swindon, £180,000

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/91147231#/

A 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom apartment split over two floors with a mezzanine floor. The beauty of this property is the close proximity to Swindon Rail Station which is minutes away and will get you into London Paddington in 52 minutes