While the UK saw house prices climb 4.6 per cent over the last year, several stunning seaside resorts surprisingly witnessed property sales fall. So, if you’ve been dreaming of a life by the sea, now might be the right time to take the plunge
Dream of dozing off to the soothing sound of crashing waves? Demand year-round access to award-winning beaches and ice cream trucks? Well, now might be a pretty good time to move to the coast.
Despite the dreary weather and increasing levels of sewage pollution, the UK actually boasts a slew of charming seaside towns and villages that have maintained a stellar reputation. Places like St Ives in Cornwall perfectly summarise the under-appreciated beauty of the UK, with blue-flag beaches, crystal clear water, and quaint cobbled streets.
Despite high interest rates and the never-ending cost-of-living crisis, UK house prices rose by 4.6 per cent on average last year. Naturally, this included famed seaside resorts like Cornwall, with many coastal gems exceeding the national average.
Take Northern Ireland for example, where no seaside region saw a decline in house prices at all*. The district of Ards and North Down saw average property prices jump 9.5 per cent, while homes in Causeway Coast and Glens also soared by a whopping 9.7 per cent.
All of Scotland witnessed an increase in prices, with the exception of the Na h-Eileanan Siar (the Outer Hebrides archipelago) which saw house prices slip by 0.3 per cent last year. England’s north coast also saw consistent growth, with Northumberland experiencing a 7.4 per cent up charge. Here, average prices in 2024 climbed to £201,000. You can use the interactive map below to check your area:
Full UK map of house prices
However, there are many stunning seaside areas that surprisingly saw average house prices plunge. Torridge in North Devon witnessed a -2.0 per cent drop – with house prices in 2024 averaging at £275,000 – while South Hams (-1.4%), New Forest (-1.3%), Eastbourne (-4.2%), and Worthing (-4.7%) also saw decreases.
According to Reach’s Data Unit, houses in the Isle of Anglesey region dropped -5.1 per cent, averaging out at £221,000 in 2024. Here, you’ll find the UK’s ‘most beautiful’ beach which has a stunning mountain backdrop, and frequently goes viral on TikTok.
Last summer, travel expert Aiimee Beaufort documented her trip to Newborough Beach (Llanddwyn Beach) in Anglesey – describing it as a ‘bucket list summer destination’. Locals quickly took to the comments section to praise their local area, with one stating: “I’m so lucky to live down the road from here – it’s the most amazing place,” one local wrote. Another commented: “The summer sunsets are pretty amazing there.” While a third added: “[It’s] the most beautiful beach I’ve ever been to.”
Gwynedd County, which extends from the Irish Sea to the mountain of Snowdonia in the east, also has several pristine beaches that could easily compete with the Caribbean or an island in the Maldives. Average house prices slumped -5.2 per cent, and had a 2024 median of just £193,000.
*Based on data from the Land Registry. Smaller breakdowns of UK regions can be found here.
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