Bilsthorpe vs Fernwood
Which is better to live in? Distance: 12.5 miles apart.
The verdict
Overall, Bilsthorpe offers lower property prices by roughly 2%. Bilsthorpe has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Bilsthorpe edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Bilsthorpe
£257,598
Fernwood
£264,011
Crime Rate
Bilsthorpe
67.6
Fernwood
68.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Bilsthorpe
100.0%
Fernwood
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Bilsthorpe
263.2
Fernwood
445.2
EPC Rating
Bilsthorpe
71.1
Fernwood
70.9
Median Income
Bilsthorpe
£28,928
Fernwood
£29,108
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East MidlandsBuyers will find Bilsthorpe more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £257,598 versus £264,011 in Fernwood. The most affordable entry point in Bilsthorpe is a flat at £78,000, while in Fernwood it is a flat at £109,908.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 29% pricier in Fernwood (£109,908 vs £78,000).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Bilsthorpe prices grew faster — 62% vs 44%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East MidlandsCrime is lower in Bilsthorpe (67.6 per 1,000) compared to Fernwood (68.2 per 1,000), a 1% difference. The most common crime category in Bilsthorpe is violent-crime, while in Fernwood it is violent-crime.
Crime Rate by Category (per 1,000 residents)
Both towns share the same top crime category: violent crime.
Schools & Education
Best for schools in East MidlandsSchool quality favours Bilsthorpe: 100% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 100% in Fernwood.
Bilsthorpe School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Fernwood School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Bilsthorpe | Fernwood |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 1 | 1 |
| Primary | 1 | 0 |
| Secondary | 0 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Fernwood enjoy 445.2 Mbps on average, while Bilsthorpe lags behind at 263.2 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 87.7% of premises in Bilsthorpe and 96.8% in Fernwood. Gigabit availability stands at 45.5% in Bilsthorpe and 87.3% in Fernwood.
Fernwood is the faster of the two by 69% on average download speed (445 vs 263 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Bilsthorpe is band C (score 71.1), ahead of Fernwood's band C (score 70.9). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,264 in Bilsthorpe and £1,254 in Fernwood. 62.4% of homes in Bilsthorpe have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 62.2% in Fernwood.
Bilsthorpe has more energy-efficient housing — 62.4% reach band C or above, vs 62.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Bilsthorpe has a population of 3,490 while Fernwood has 3,107. Median household income is £29,108 in Fernwood and £28,928 in Bilsthorpe. The median age is 45.7 in Bilsthorpe and 45.8 in Fernwood. Employment rates stand at 56.2% in Bilsthorpe and 56% in Fernwood.
| Indicator | Bilsthorpe | Fernwood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,490 | 3,107 |
| Median Age | 45.7 | 45.8 |
| Median Household Income | £28,928 | £29,108 |
| Employment Rate | 56.2% | 56% |
| Owner Occupied | 68.6% | 69% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 27.2% | 29% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Bilsthorpe and Fernwood?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Bilsthorpe or Fernwood?
Is Bilsthorpe or Fernwood safer?
Which has better schools, Bilsthorpe or Fernwood?
Which has faster broadband, Bilsthorpe or Fernwood?
Keep exploring