Could you snap up a bargain in the UK's priciest towns?

Inside the Beaconsfield cottage
Inside the Beaconsfield cottage

It's a truism that you should always aim to buy the worst house in the best street - it gives you the most room for improvement, and thus the best chance of turning a profit when you eventually sell.

But there are other good reasons for plumping for a top area and then buying the cheapest property you can. Whether it's the local schools, a job or nearby family, you may be determined to live in a property hotspot but simply lack the cash.

However, even the country's priciest areas can contain the occasional property bargain. We've taken Zoopla's list of the UK's most expensive towns and found a budget hone for sale in each.

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10. Surrey: average property price £916,114

The East Molesey boat
The East Molesey boat

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The cheapest property for sale in East Molesey comes in at little more than a tenth of the average property price - and you'll even get a small garden of your own. The catch? You'll be living on a boat. Built in 2005, Riva Bella is on the sunny, south side of the river and has a good-sized living/kitchen area with a double bedroom and proper shower. Mooring fees are around £300 a month; the boat costs £99,950 from Water Side Residential.

9. Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire: average property price £990,453

The Gerrards Cross flat
The Gerrards Cross flat


This two-bedroom maisonette in Chalfont St Peter, Gerrards Cross, has a recently-refitted kitchen and a bright living room. There's a storage room in the garden, and parking for two cars to the front. It's on the market for offers over £322,500 through Hilton King & Locke.

8. Richmond, Surrey: average property price £994,432

The Richmond flat
The Richmond flat


In most of the country, £270,000 will get you a pretty decent house; in Richmond, you're looking at a one-bedroom flat. On the ground floor of a purpose-built block, it has a rather dated kitchen but is in generally good nick. It's on the market with Mervyn Smith Estate Agents.

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7. Radlett, Hertfordshire: average property price £1,014,761

The Radlett flat
The Radlett flat


This smart one-bedroom flat is just minutes from Radlett village shops and railway station, and comes with allocated parking and communal gardens. It's smart and attractive, with lovely big windows, and costs £275,000 through Open Estates.

6. Esher, Surrey: average property price £1,054,569

The Esher flat
The Esher flat


Close to Esher Railway station, this one-bed flat has an 18-foot living room with plenty of room for a dining table - a good thing, as the kitchen's pretty small. With allocated off-street parking, it costs £230,000 from agents Gascoigne Pees.

5. Chalfont St. Giles, Buckinghamshire: average property price £1,070,628

The Chalfont St. Giles house
The Chalfont St. Giles house


In an area where the average house price tops a million, it's quite something to find a whole house for £320,000 - even if it does only have one bedroom. The rooms aren't a bad size, and there's a paved garden backing on to woodland. It's on the market with Hilton King & Locke.

4. Keston, London: average property price £1,117,548

The Keston cottage
The Keston cottage


This is, amazingly, a good-sized two-bedroom house, and a rather attractive one at that. Built in the 1920s, it has a lovely open fireplace in the living room, and a pretty garden with a detached garage. It's up for sale for £369,950 with agent Howard Cundey.


3. Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire: average property price £1,124,202

The Beaconsfield cottage
The Beaconsfield cottage


This utterly delightful two-bedroom cottage in Beaconsfoeld isn't exactly cheap, at £395,000 - but it's the cheapest non-retirement home in the town. For your money, you get a large open plan sitting room/kitchen, with two good-sized bedrooms and a bath above. Grade II listed, it has a feature fireplace and oak floors, with a lovely cottage garden behind. It's for sale through Hunters.


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2. Cobham, Surrey: average property price £1,160,069

The flat in Cobham
The flat in Cobham


This recently-built flat would be perfect for sharers, with two equally sized bedrooms and two bathrooms. It's within walking distance of Cobham village centre and overlooks a park - as well as a lot of parked cars. It costs £290,000 through Gascoigne Pees.

1. Virginia Water, Surrey: average property price £1,408,403

The flat in Virginia Water
The flat in Virginia Water


In the UK's most expensive town, you can still buy a two-bedroom flat for £269,950 - but it's not the prettiest place in the world. While the flat is a good size, it's in poor condition, and will require work. It sits above a parade of shops, and has its own garage in the block behind. Contact agents Alastair Hodge.

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