A pretty town in Somerset has become a hotspot for Londoners looking to head to the .
Bruton offers a tranquil quiet life for those wanting to head to a quieter spot – but locals aren’t happy that they’re being gradually driven out by newcomers.
After the pandemic, Bruton became known as the “new Notting Hill” when many decided to leave the busy and head for the countryside.
The town is miles from anywhere. It’s a small place, with shops, houses and chapels crowded close together even though it stands in the middle of rolling hills, giving it a very special character.
In recent times, well known celebrities have made their way to Bruton including Stella McCartney, Alice Temperley, Phoebe Philo and George Osborne.
Bruton has a high street with shops, cafes and restaurants (Image: Google Street View)
:
Somerset is a quiet and peaceful place to live – it offers a rural lifestyle (Image: Getty Images)
Bruton is surprisingly cosmopolitan because it’s easily reached from London, by rail (Castle Cary station) and from the A303.
House prices in Bruton have an overall average of £415,469 over the last year, according to .
Paige Dyer, 25, who works at a local shop and Post Office, told MailOnline she is still living with her parents to save up and has considered moving out of Bruton to somewhere cheaper in Somerset.
She said: “The influx of new people is pushing the locals out – people my age would be looking to move out as we can’t afford it.
“They are trying to get more money into the and I don’t know why.”
Bruton is near to Bath, a popular city for Brits to visit (Image: Getty Images)
Bruton has pretty architecture and idyllic buildings (Image: Google Street View)
DON’T MISS… [REPORT] [DETAILS]
She said locals have had to move out due to the area becoming too expensive and she said she’d like to stay but it’s becoming out of her price range.
Locals say the influx of people to has been a fast process. They believe the town has become expensive and busy – it is now known as an up and coming area.
Bethany Taylor, 33, who is training to be a counsellor, told MailOnline: “I have only lived here a year. I am one of the people who moved here recently.”
She said that there is “a Londoney vibe to it” and “it is not your classic Somerset town.”
While some locals are unhappy about the increase of Londoners in , others say it is good for business and are happy to see the town busier.
Other areas in the South West which have become popular include Glastonbury, Bath and Bristol which offer a more rural lifestyle.