Bradford retains crown as top UK property hotspot

Bradford has maintained its position as the UK’s leading property hotspot in Q1 2025, according to OnTheMarket’s latest Hotspots Index, which tracks market activity. This is Bradford’s second consecutive quarter at the top, having previously lost the spot to Newcastle in Q3 2024.

Barnsley and Stoke-on-Trent made significant gains, entering the top 10, while Derby and Blackburn dropped out. The trend continues to highlight the north’s dominance in housing market activity, with more affordable and vibrant locations seeing increased demand.

At the bottom of the rankings, Southend-on-Sea remains the slowest market, alongside southern coastal towns like Brighton and Bournemouth. Notable market shifts include Luton, which climbed from 21st to 14th place, and Gloucester, rising from 40th to 28th.

In London, the City of London and Barking and Dagenham held the top spots, while Newham and Hounslow fell out of the top 10, making way for Harrow and Waltham Forest. Jason Tebb, president of OnTheMarket, notes that affordability remains a concern despite interest rate cuts, with buyers increasingly seeking value-driven locations.