HOUSE prices in the Forest of Dean have risen more than anywhere else in Gloucestershire so far this year, according to new figures.

A study by conveyancing firm Brethertons has revealed that the average home in the Forest increased in value by 6.12% between December 2024 and April 2025, climbing from £280,748 to £297,916.

It marks the strongest growth in the county during the early months of 2025 and makes the Forest of Dean the only district in Gloucestershire to see house prices rise by more than 3%.

Only Stroud also saw growth during the period, with a more modest increase of 2.96%, taking the average house price there from £337,088 to £347,059.

The rest of the county experienced a downturn, with the Cotswolds seeing the biggest fall in property values.

The average price of a home in the Cotswolds dropped from £444,114 to £417,597, a decrease of 5.97%. Gloucester saw the second-largest decline, with prices falling by 4.54% to £230,074. Tewkesbury and Cheltenham also saw property values dip, by 4.15% and 1.74% respectively.

Steve Neasham, Business Development Partner at Brethertons, said the results point to diverging local markets as buyers continue to balance affordability with location preferences. “Forest of Dean recorded a 6.12% rise, the highest in the county, potentially driven by ongoing interest in more affordable countryside settings,” he said.

“The largest fall was in the Cotswolds, where prices dropped by almost 6%, possibly reflecting a post-pandemic correction in one of the region’s most in-demand rural areas.”

Mr Neasham added that the findings reflect a housing market in flux, with external economic pressures and changing buyer habits shaping different outcomes from place to place: “With the wider economy under strain, demand has softened in some regions, leading to a dip in prices. In other areas, values are still climbing, but at a noticeably slower pace. This reflects a market in transition, where local conditions are influencing how quickly different areas adjust after a prolonged period of instability.”

He warned that although rising house prices may benefit sellers and boost equity, they could make life harder for first-time buyers and those looking to relocate.“Increasing property values can squeeze affordability and reduce choice,” he said: “Shifts in market dynamics can also affect lending, supply, and future planning. For anyone buying or selling, staying informed about regional trends is key to making sound decisions.”

Overall, the Forest of Dean recorded the highest increase in house prices within the county, followed by Stroud. In contrast, Cheltenham, Tewkesbury, Gloucester and the Cotswolds all saw average property values fall, with the Cotswolds showing the largest decrease.

In the Forest of Dean, the rise in house prices may reflect growing demand for more affordable rural living, especially as buyers look beyond traditional hotspots for better value.

With average property values approaching £300,000, the district continues to attract interest from those seeking countryside settings without the higher costs seen in areas like the Cotswolds.