Hotspots Index May 2026: Bradford holds firm while coastal markets stall

The latest Hotspots Index shows a familiar picture at the top and a stubborn one at the bottom. Bradford once again claims the number one spot as England’s “hottest” property market, maintaining its lead thanks to strong listing activity, high search volumes and consistent buyer demand.

England’s Popular Urban Areas: Big risers, big fallers

While Bradford keeps its spot at the top, Wigan holds steady in second place. Sunderland makes one of the biggest moves of the last three months, climbing from seventh to third while Blackburn also breaks into the top 10 after an impressive eight place rise and Barnsley edges upward to ninth.

At the other end of the table, Brighton, Southend on Sea and Worthing remain rooted to the bottom, unchanged from the last edition

Other major shifts among the English Hotspots include:

• Peterborough, down 28 places to 39th
• Telford has risen 17 places to 32nd
• Derby fell 16 places to 34th

These swings underline how sensitive some markets remain to supply, demand and seasonal shifts.

London boroughs: A new number one

In the capital, Barking & Dagenham overtakes the City of London to become the hottest borough while Havering, Redbridge and Bexley remain stable in third, fourth and fifth, and Waltham Forest climbs into the top 10. Harrow also makes a strong move upward, landing just outside the top tier.

At the bottom, Lambeth stays in 33rd place, with Tower Hamlets and Hackney also remaining among the slowest performing boroughs.

Barnet sees the biggest downward shift, falling nine places to 18th, while Camden and Greenwich both rise three spots.

Comment from Jason Tebb, President of OnTheMarket

“The latest Hotspots Index shows just how dynamic the UK property landscape continues to be. Markets like Bradford and Wigan are demonstrating remarkable consistency, while areas such as Sunderland and Blackburn are seeing real momentum as buyer interest grows.

“In London, the rise of Barking & Dagenham to the top spot highlights how affordability and accessibility continue to shape demand across the capital.

“Whether rising or falling, every shift in this edition of the Hotspots Index tells a story about how consumers are searching, engaging and making decisions. We’ll keep tracking these trends closely to help agents stay one step ahead.”

England Popular Urban Areas (PUAs)

London boroughs