While the north and south of England have plenty to recommend them, what makes the middle of the country appealing to both buyers and renters? Accessible, prosperous yet affordable, let’s see why this part of England has such a dynamic property market, by looking at some of the best new homes in the East Midlands.
New homes in the East Midlands: Top 10 best developments
From gleaming inner-city towers, to quiet rural suburbia retreats, let’s look at some of the best new homes in the East Midlands. As always, these rankings are determined entirely by the reviews given by the people who actually live there. This gives you the insiders’ guide to the best developments on HomeViews.
*PLEASE NOTE these rankings take into account how recently reviews have been submitted, so may not match the overall star ratings shown. More recent reviews are given a greater weighting to reflect current building performance.
Top of the pile in the East Midlands is The Saxons. This rental development comprises one and two bedroom apartments, with light from large, wrap-around windows. Although the development is in one of the most central locations in the city, each unit has been designed to offer privacy that feels removed from the hustle and bustle outside. With the city’s largest shopping centre located just across the road, those living at The Saxons have easy access to a range of dining, entertainment, and retail options right on their doorstep.
The second-ranked development in the East Midlands is The Wullcomb. This Build to Rent development is managed by Way of Life and located in the heart of Leicester. The building offers 297 apartments with a mix of spacious Manhattan studios alongside one and two-bedroom apartments. Residents have the option of choosing a furnished or unfurnished apartment. Additionally, there is a wide range of facilities and amenities on site. These include 24h concierge, secure car park and cycle storage, a rooftop terrace, a shared kitchen and dining space with modern lounge and a private theatre room.
In third place, Kenning Brook is a brand new development featuring a collection of three and four-bedroom homes. The homes at Kenning Brook have been designed to a high standard and benefit from a ‘fully inclusive’ specification. Homes at Kenning Brook benefit from a new community, bringing with it an array of local amenities such as shopping, leisure facilities and an abundance of green spaces. As well as a variety of local facilities, Sheffield, Mansfield and Nottingham are all within easy reach. Additionally, Kenning Brook is just four miles from the M1 or six miles from Chesterfield Rail Station.
Fourth-placed Queen Street Quarter offers 230 homes in a prime city centre location. Resident perks includ a swimming pool, a coal-fired sauna, and a workout in our fully equipped, premium gym. There is also a lounge and games room, while the workspace makes working from home a pleasure. The central Leicester location means everything is a short walk away.
Fifth-placed Saffron Court, managed by Cording Residential, comprises a range of one, two and three-bedroom apartments. Located in Nottingham, residents here have access to car parking, a concierge, housekeeping, fitness center, co-working spaces and bicycle storage.
Sitting sixth, The Arches offers 184 brand new ready-to-rent apartments, close to Leicester city centre. With a choice of courtyard and riverside views, the studio, one and two bedrooms feature high quality appliances and are finished to a high standard. Amenities on offer include a resident’s lounge, gym, media room and work space as well as secure underground parking and bike storage.
In seventh it’s Merlin Wharf, managed by Cording Residential. Located in Leicester city centre along the River Soar, residents here benefit from a 24-hour concierge, river views, co-working spaces, gym, residents’ lounge and cycle storage.
Eighth-placed Hastings Park offers 2, 3 & 4 bedroom homes in Hugglescote. Situated in a picturesque village in Leicestershire, Hastings Park sits on the River Sence and is close to the M1. Residents can enjoy both rural living and easy access to local amenities, including nurseries/schools, a brand new leisure centre close by, and restaurants.
Taking ninth place, Davidsons at Little Bowden offers a range of 2, 3, 4 & 5 bedroom Georgian & Victorian style homes. Situated on the outskirts of the market town of Market Harborough, Davidsons at Little Bowden benefits from local amenities including shops, restaurants and pubs a short drive away. Additionally, residents enjoy a rural setting with great transport links nearby.
10th-placed Grange View by Davidson’s Homes offers a variety of two, three and four-bedroom homes. Located near Coalville and the banks of the River Sense, Grange View offers rural living but with access to local amenitie
Gateford Park by Lloyds Living offers residents a collection of 2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes. Homes include open plan kitchen/diners, integrated appliances, en-suites, parking and gardens. With plenty of green open space to enjoy on the doorstep, spending time outdoors with the family is easy. Additionally, the National Trust’ Cumber Park just an 8-mile […] Read reviews and details of Lloyds Living at Gateford Park, S81
Taking 12th is Prince’s Place, a new development by William Davis on the edge of Radcliffe-on-Trent, a 25 minute drive from Nottingham city centre and a short walk from the River Trent.
Gateford Manor is a brand new development featuring a collection of 3 and 4 bedroom homes. Homes include open plan kitchen/diners,intergrated appliances, en-suites, parking and gardens. Situated on the outskirts of Worksop, Gateford Manor offers a balance of open countryside with great transport links. Gateford is surrounded by open countryside, with fast access to the […] Read reviews and details of Lloyds Living at Gateford Manor, S81
Our carefully crafted homes offer bright, open plan living with beautiful views and large outdoor spaces with everything on your doorstep. Sandwiched between the city’s two main waterways, the River Soar and the Grand Union Canal, Lock 44 is the perfect place to enjoy the great outdoors. The canal side footpath follows a scenic route […] Read reviews and details of Lock 44, LE4
In 16th place is Ashby Gardens, also by Davidson’s Homes. The collection of three, four and five-bedroom homes is situated in the market town of Ashby de la Zouch in Leicestershire. It is well placed for commuters, with good access to local towns and cities such as Derby, Birmingham and Leicester.
The Lace Market Quarter is a new development of unique contemporary apartments situated in the historical Lace Market area of Nottingham. A combination of four restored listed buildings, complemented by two new five and seven story buildings all surrounding a central courtyard, the development creates a relaxing space right in the heart of the city. Read reviews and details of Lace Market Quarter, NG1
Collingsgate offers 3 and 4 bedroom new homes for sale in Coalville. Each features bi-fold doors, exclusive kitchen designs, and integrated appliances. Coalville is a vibrant market town situated on the north western side of Leicestershire and a popular commuter location. The town is conveniently located being just minutes from the M1 and M42 which […] Read reviews and details of Collingsgate, LE67
The Avenue is a collection of 2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes in Wingerworth. The village of Wingerworth is conveniently positioned just outside the town of Chesterfield, where you can find an excellent range of amenities. An award winning parkland and wildlife reserve are adjacent to the development. Read reviews and details of The Avenue, S42
As the name suggests, the East Midlands make up the middle of England, stretching out to the east. Sitting right in the centre are the counties of Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire. Northamptonshire is to the south, and the easterly part of the East Midlands covers almost all of Lincolnshire, except the north and northeast areas of the county.
Why live in the East Midlands?
One of the biggest attractions of the East Midlands is the region’s economic prosperity. It’s a major logistical hub, with hundreds of major companies based across its various counties. Not only does this provide good job prospects, it also makes the region very accessible, with solid transport links.
There are also plenty of big cities to choose from, many of them rich in history, such as Lincoln and Northampton. As well as the convenience of city living, the East Midlands counties have no shortage of attractive towns and villages that make the most of the rural beauty on offer. The Peak District, which is mostly in Derbyshire, is perhaps the most stunning example of this.
Also, your money goes further in the East Midlands than the South East or South West of England. Particularly when it comes to buying property.
What are property prices in East Midlands like?
Property prices in the East Midlands remain steady at the time of writing (January 2025), as they have since around 2022. Rightmove has the current average property price as being a little over £264,000. Several major reports point towards the East Midlands outpacing other UK regions on house price growth in the coming years. So if you plan to buy here, factor this trend into your calculations.
A recent report from PwC shows that when it comes to renting, the East Midlands are a more affordable prospect than other parts of the country. Young renters here – agreed between 22-29 – spend around 25% of their monthly earnings on rent. This is a full 5% below the 30% threshold that is generally considered affordable.
If you want to know more about the East Midlands, our dedicated guide can help. Here you’ll find more information on the region’s geography, and plenty more developments to explore at your leisure.
Easy access to London and the national motorway network ensures the economic prosperity of the East Midlands, UK. A dedicated airport also serves to connect this central region to Europe and the world, with key cities Leicester and Nottingham also providing financial stimulus and Read more about East Midlands
HomeViews is the only independent review platform for residential developments in the UK. Prospective buyers and tenants use it to make an informed decision on where to live based on insights from carefully verified resident reviews. Part of Rightmove since February 2024, we’re working with developers, house builders, operators, housing associations and the Government to give residents a voice, recognise high performers and to help improve standards across the industry.
We only use your data in accordance with our Privacy Policy to provide the services. We will not share with third parties for marketing purposes. Please see our Privacy Policy, Terms of Use and Cookie Policy.
Why create a profile?
Be the first to hear about available properties at your favourite developments.
Stay informed about the top rated developments in your favourite areas.
Rating and new review updates on developments you're interested in.
Find out about new developments in your areas of interest.
We only use your data in accordance with our Privacy Policy to provide the services. We will not share with third parties for marketing purposes. Please see our Privacy Policy, Terms of Use and Cookie Policy.
Why create an account?
Claim your business to begin managing your developments
Evidence shows responding to reviews improves customer service and how your brand is perceived
Upgrade your account to gain access to detailed stats, add media and other useful tools
Generate widgets to promote your developments on other websites
