The quaint town is often dubbed Britain’s most affordable place to buy a home with a two-bedroom house up for grabs for just £5,000, but there’s one issue.
A charming little town in the UK, hailed as one of Britain’s most affordable places to buy a home, boasts an intriguing history and excellent transport links. It’s described as “a quaint and quiet town edged with comforting green spaces”.
Moreover, you can bag a two-bedroom house for a mere £5,000, or even less, with a recent freehold property listed for auction starting at just £1,000.
This offers a glimmer of hope to first-time home buyers, especially after the Government reported a 4.9% annual price rise on house prices earlier this year.
This has pushed the average property value in the UK to a staggering £269,000 – and in many areas, it’s significantly higher.
However, in the North East town of Shildon, known for its fascinating history, the average house price stands at a modest £83,236. This year, terraced freehold properties have regularly been sold for less than £30,000.
Despite its prime location, bargain homes, railway heritage and lush green spaces, there’s one downside: Shildon has a crime rate that’s “80% higher than England, Wales and Northern Ireland”, according to recent crime data, reports the Express.
However, locals report that there are “good spots and bad spots, as does everywhere else”. The town, situated 13 miles from the city of Durham, is a popular choice for young families who might not have otherwise had the opportunity to climb onto the property ladder.
Shildon’s location near the city makes it perfect for commuters, with excellent transport connections including up to 26 trains daily to Durham – and the picturesque English town is famous for being the world’s first railway town.
The railway legacy of Shildon is showcased at the town’s Locomotion museum, which chronicles the history, heritage and industrial development of County Durham during the 1800s.
Today, attractive red-bricked terraced properties are available for significantly less than the national average – with Zoopla currently advertising several bargain purchases between £30,000 and £70,000.
There’s even a two-bedroom terraced property for sale on Princes Street with a starting price of just £1,000, listed by On The Market with an auction scheduled for this December.
Figures from CrimeRate, updated on November 7, 2025, identify Shildon as “the third most dangerous small town in Durham”, and amongst the “top 10 most dangerous overall out of Durham’s 169 towns, villages, and cities”, according to these statistics.
CrimeRate stated that the “overall crime rate in Shildon in 2025 was 131 crimes per 1,000 people”.
CrimeRate continued: “This compares poorly to Durham’s overall crime rate, coming in 46% higher than the Durham rate of 89 per 1,000 daytime population.
“For England, Wales, and Northern Ireland as a whole, Shildon is among the top 20 most dangerous small towns, and the 137th most dangerous location out of all towns, cities, and villages.”
Crimerate data reveals that as of 2025, Shildon’s crime rate is “49% higher than the (rest of the) North East and 80% higher than the England, Wales and Northern Ireland overall figure”.
Despite this, Shildon Town Council are striving to make the area a desirable place to live, with property website Zoopla also championing the town.
Zoopla paints a picture of Shildon as a “quaint and quiet British town edged with comforting green spaces”.
The property giant stated: “[Shildon] is famously affordable, known for housing prices that are uniquely accessible, which is incredibly appealing for those looking to get more home for their money.
“Those who have the privilege of living in Shildon often enjoy the warm ambiance of local independent businesses sprinkled across the town.
“From small clothing boutiques, delightful pubs, butchers, to hairdressers and beauty salons, there’s a refreshing mix of shops and services that make everyday living in Shildon pleasurable.
“Lastly, the quick broadband speeds add a touch of modernity to this charming town, making sure residents have fantastic connectivity.”