Top 10 Most Expensive Seaside Towns in the UK

Buying a property abroad may sound initially luxurious, but comes with a whole lot of legalities and considerations if you do not live there on a permanent basis. So British holiday makers who wish to escape their urban, congested towns, are seeking to purchase properties in one of our quintessentially British seaside towns. Okay, so it may be the Costa del Sol of Spain, or the exotic coastline shores of the Amalfi Coast, but our seaside towns certainly boast property prices, worth either hurrying for, or burying your head in the sand after contemplating the financial commitment!

Our seaside towns are certainly getting more expensive every year, and yet more than half of Brits will visit some of the top ten towns for a holiday in the summer. Cornwall and Devon, are some of the most beautiful areas of the country; boasting a rich variety of wildlife species, plants and white beaches to take pleasure in when the sun is shining!

New research by Halifax has revealed that Cornwall and Devon are in the top three most expensive seaside towns in the UK, with the average property price setting buyers back by £539,950 in the seaside town of Salcombe in Devon. Unsurprisingly, the research revealed, the celebrity hot-spot of Sandbanks in Dorset, is the most expensive seaside town, with the average property selling for £664,665; and some properties going for as much as £6,500,000. Padstow’s reputable is owed to Rick Stein’s fish restaurants which are a big hit with holiday makers. Padstow, was ranked number three by Halifax as the most expensive seaside town; with average property prices of £443,396. Cornwall was also named the most popular seaside town in the UK, and bookings for holidays have increased by 550 per cent.

In stark contrast, the cheapest seaside towns were Port Bannatyne on the Isle of Bute, Argyll and Bute, with average property prices in the region of £77,132. Northumberland was the second cheapest town (£81,259), and Girvan, South Ayrshire was the third cheapest, with property prices achieving £91,912.

Martin Ellis, housing economist at Halifax has commented: ‘Seaside towns are highly popular places to live, offering sought-after scenery, weather and lifestyle which no doubt come at a price. They also attract those looking for holiday properties, which add up add upward pressure on house prices.’

“Over the 10-year period, coastal towns north of the border have been the strongest performing in terms of house price rises, but locations in the south-west remain the most expensive.

“So if you’re looking for a bargain, it’s still easier to find the further North you go, where average price in several areas is still below £100,000.”