Seaside towns are benefitting from an increase in property prices as families increasingly remain in the UK for their holidays.
Salcombe this week overtook the exclusive Dorset resort of Sandbanks to become the costliest place to buy a property by the sea in the UK.
Average sold prices in Salcombe, home to the likes of Mary Berry and Sir Rod Stewart, in 2022 were up 33 per cent on the year before and 123 per cent in a decade.
Other coastal towns to see huge leaps include Yarmouth, in the Isle of Wight, up 53 per cent in a year to £611,816, and Aldeburgh in Suffolk, up by 47 per cent to £794,492.
An increase in employees being able to work from home, some permanently, has allowed families to make the move without fear of commute, with demand for seaside home remaining strong even through the winter months.
The latest survey of property prices shows that Salcombe (pictured) is the costliest place to buy by the sea in the UK
Kim Kinnaird, mortgages director at Halifax, said: ‘For many, owning a home by the sea is an aspiration, with coastal living offering beach walks, clean air and other health benefits.’
But what can you get for your money in Britain’s priciest seaside towns? MailOnline takes a look inside the averagely priced homes for sale in the UK’s coastal resorts.
Salcombe
Located on the Kingsbridge Estuary in Devon’s genteel South Hams district, Saclombe has slowly transitioned into a millionaires’ playgrounds in recent years.
The average house price in the area has risen to an eye-watering £1.2million, the highest of anywhere in the UK.
One property, below the average at £1.15m, boasts three bedrooms and two bathrooms along with glorious view of the sea from its two balconies.
The apartment is set in an idyllic location overlooking the Kingsbridge Estuary and out towards the sea
The average house price in the area has risen to an eye-watering £1.2million, the highest of anywhere in the UK
The living area is spacious and has plenty of light, along with huge windows and access out onto a large balcony
Its kitchen and breakfast area comes fitted with cupboards and appliances, while the master bedroom has an en-suite and private balcony
The top-floor apartment at Stonehanger Court, on the market with Luscombe Maye, has bi-fold doors that open out onto the sea-facing balconies – neither of which are overlooked.
Its kitchen and breakfast area comes fitted with cupboards and appliances, while the master bedroom has an en-suite and private balcony.
There are two further bedrooms, a family bathroom and a garage, too.
Sandbanks
Sandbanks was for many years the UK’s most expensive seaside resort, but this year fell behind Salcombe.
But it remains home to the likes of football manager Harry Redknapp, cricket legend Sir Geoffrey Boycott and rock star Liam Gallagher.
The average price for a property in the area is £952,692, with the majority of houses providing views of Poole Harbour.
An aerial view of Sandbanks and Poole Harbour – famed for its high property prices and for its award-winning beach
A run-down garage on the exclusive Sandbanks peninsula has sold for over £600,000 in 2021
Such is the popularity of the area, a garage plot sold for £600,000 in 2021 – then more than double the national average for a property.
Robert Dunford of estate agents Tailor Made, which handled the sale, believes demand for waterside property around Poole Harbour has increased even more since the pandemic.
He said: ‘About 20 years ago Sandbanks was the fourth most expensive place in the world to buy residential property. Since then, other parts of the world have risen up and overtaken the area.
‘But demand and prices for waterfront property in Britain has rapidly increased following Covid. People have realised they can work from home and don’t need to be tied to an office in London.
Aldeburgh
The coastal town in Suffolk is situated within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
House prices in the area shot up to £794,492 in 2022, a 47 per cent rise on the previous year.
A three-bedroom period cottage on the market for £750,000 comes with views of the beach and seafront.
A huge six-storey former water tower near Aldeburgh in Suffolk went on the market for £1million in 2019
It was designed by architect William Gilmour Wilson in the 1920s in a mock tudor style, with mullioned windows and parapets
Just a short walk from the from the centre of the village, the historic building has a modern kitchen, large reception room and dining and snug areas to compliment its exposed timbers.
The kitchen includes exposed brick, a mono pitch glass roof and cobbled with fitted appliances, while the stairs lead up to three sizeable bedrooms along with a shower room that has a sea view.
The nearby High Street has both independent and brand boutiques. Further afield there are nature reserves and an array of public footpaths to explore.
Padstow
The average price of a property in Padstow is a touch below Aldeburgh at £790,847, rising 94 per cent from 2021 to last year.
The fishing town is filled with cafes, pubs and restaurants – including Paul Ainsworth’s Michelin starred No.6.
Located just moments from the harbour is a three-bedroom coastal pad with views over the Camel Estuary.
An aerial view of Padstow, where the average price for a property is £790,847, rising 94 per cent from 2021 to last year
The fishing town is filled with cafes, pubs and restaurants – including Paul Ainsworth’s Michelin starred No.6
The property, 15 New Street, is on the market with Jackie Stanley for below the area average at £725,000.
It contains an open plan living area and a large sunny rear patio to entertain guests or dine in the sun, along with a modern kitchen.
This patio is fully enclosed and is made of a combination of paving and decking.
The three bedrooms are all located on the first floor, where sea views can be enjoyed, along with a modern family bathroom.
Lymington
The port town in Hampshire is located in the heart of the New Forest district and lies along the west bank of the River Solent.
Located on a corner plot within a quaint estate just a stone’s throw from the sea is a three-bedroom home in Vitre Gardens.
On the market with Willey and Wallis for £670,000, the property has a large driveway and open plan living accommodation with bi-fold doors out to a large, east-facing rear garden and wood burner.
The living room is fitted with a Bose cinema and surround sound system, while the kitchen comes fully fitted with an integrated electric oven, fridge freezer and dishwasher – along with a mounted TV.
Located on a corner plot within a quaint estate just a stone’s throw from the sea is a three-bedroom home in Vitre Gardens
The property has been modernised in recent years, with further scope to extend the home with planning permission
The kitchen has modern tiles and a glass table along with a fireplace and column radiator
The property’s bi-fold doors lead out to a large, east-facing rear garden and wood burner
A home office is situated just off the dining room, providing ideal space for anyone working from home.
Upstairs is a master bedroom with en-suite, along with a double and good-sized single bedroom with a family shower room.
The property has been modernised in recent years, with further scope to extend the home.
Yarmouth
For those looking to escape the mainland, Yarmouth has become the sought after seaside destination on the Isle of Wight.
This 1920s family home is located a short distance from Yarmouth’s seafront and backs onto the Ningwood Nature Reserve.
The 33-metre driveway provides plenty of parking, surrounded by a large front lawn, with the front door leading into a long hall with access through to the rear garden.
Nestling in the midst of about three quarters of an acre of gardens is this delightful 1920s detached family home
The 33-metre driveway provides plenty of parking, surrounded by a large front lawn, with the front door leading into a long hall with access through to the rear garden
Off the galleried landing you will find the newly configured first floor accommodation that includes the family shower room, a single bedroom that would make an ideal study or nursery and three double bedrooms
A very large, triple aspect lounge/sitting area with a wide archway in between is impressive
The property, on the market with Fine and Country for £650,000, slightly over the the average price for the area of £611,816.
Upstairs, the house has a family shower room, three double bedrooms and a fourth room that can be used as a nursery or study.
The main bedroom has an en suite double shower and French doors leading to a Juliette balcony.
As well as the large rear garden, there is an adjoining patio ideal for entertaining guests and enjoying a view of the nature reserve.
Dartmouth
On the market at below the area average at £550,000 this property in Crowthers Hill provides an elevated view of Dartmouth and the River Dart.
The duplex apartment has two bedrooms, one of which has an en-suite, along with a family bathroom.
The town centre is just 100 metres from the front door, while the view can also be taken in from its two terraces.
This property in Crowthers Hill provides an elevated view of Dartmouth and the River Dart
On the lower ground floor is a sitting room with a large picture window looking out towards the sea, while two bedrooms are also located on the floor
The duplex apartment has two bedrooms, one of which has an en-suite, along with a family bathroom
On the ground floor is a well-equipped kitchen with French doors leading to a paved dining terrace
On the ground floor is a well-equipped kitchen with French doors leading to a paved dining terrace.
On the lower ground floor is a sitting room with a large picture window looking out towards the sea, while two bedrooms are also located on the floor.
The lower ground floor leads out to another decked terraced area, while the property also has parking for two vehicles.
Kingsbridge
The market town in Devon has the eighth highest average house price in England.
Sitting at the head of the Salcombe estuary, the town is located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and this property boasts panoramic views of it.
The four-bedroom house, on the market with Charles Head for £565,000, a shade over the average of £556,659 for the area.
Sitting in an elevated position, steps leads to a huge decking area that provides space to enjoy the wonderful views.
Sitting at the head of the Salcombe estuary, the town is located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and this property boasts panoramic views of it
The four-bedroom house, on the market with Charles Head for £565,000, a shade over the average of £556,659 for the area
Sitting in an elevated position, steps leads to a huge decking area that provides space to enjoy the wonderful views
Inside, the front door leads to an open plan living and dining area with bi-fold doors providing plenty of light during the day
A stylish kitchen is accompanied by a central island and integrated microwave, oven electric hob, dishwasher and fridge freezer
Inside, the front door leads to an open plan living and dining area with bi-fold doors providing plenty of light during the day.
A stylish kitchen is accompanied by a central island and integrated microwave, oven electric hob, dishwasher and fridge freezer.
For anyone working from home, there is a large wood-clad office with sliding patio doors located in the garden as well as a study on the first floor.
Wadebridge
The seaside town has an average property price of £548,669, for which you can get this three-storey property with a large patio and garden.
On the market with Bond Oxborough Phillips, the mid-terraced house dates back to the 1890s and has a combination of modern and traditional decor.
Large bay windows and open set fire places give it a homely feel, while large hallway space leads to two lounges.
A large landscaped garden and patio feature at the rear of the property in Wadebridge
The snug, yet spacious first lounge sits at the front of the property providing plenty of space for those cosy family evenings
On the market with Bond Oxborough Phillips, the mid-terraced house dates back to the 1890s and has a combination of modern and traditional decor
Bi-fold doors also lead out into the large garden, while upstairs there are three double bedrooms
Adjoining is a ‘jaw dropping’ kitchen and dining area, all of which has been redesigned within the last four years.
Bi-fold doors also lead out into the large garden, while upstairs there are three double bedrooms.
Budleigh Salterton
The seaside town of Budleigh Salterton is set within a World Heritage Jurassic Coast.
The town centre is filled with independent shops and a number of restaurants renowned for the quality of their fish and chips.
For below the average price at £500,000 buyers can snap up a five-bedroom home overlooking open farmland.
The beach and seafront at Budleigh Salterton, in Devon, which is one of the most expensive seaside town in the UK
As well as the beach, the town centre is filled with independent shops and a number of restaurants renowned for the quality of their fish and chips