New research from eXp UK reveals that buyers hoping to live near one of Britain’s most acclaimed beaches face an average property price premium of nearly 20% – equating to more than £46,000 over local market values.
The study analysed property prices in the postcode districts surrounding 18 of the UK’s most celebrated beaches, comparing them to average house prices within the wider local authorities in which they sit.
It found that seaside living near a top-rated beach comes at a notable cost, with homes in these desirable coastal areas averaging £279,105 – 19.8% (£46,096) higher than the broader local average of £233,009.
The most significant premium is found at Kingsbarns Beach in Fife, where homes in the KY16 postcode command an average price of £367,805 – 117.4% more than the wider Fife average of £169,202. Rhossili Bay in Swansea follows, with an 84.9% uplift, while homes near Bamburgh Castle Beach in Northumberland carry a 67.2% premium.
NATURAL BEAUTY
Formby in Sefton (+64.7%) and Kynance Cove in Cornwall (+58.9%) also rank high on the list of coastal locations where demand for proximity to natural beauty drives a substantial price uplift.
Elsewhere, premiums are more modest. Woolacombe in North Devon commands a 4.5% uplift, while homes near Achmelvich Bay in the Scottish Highlands are priced just 3.4% above the local average.
However, not all beachside living comes with a premium. Some locations offer buyers a coastal lifestyle at a discount. In West Wittering, Chichester, prices sit 1.2% below the wider local authority average, while St Bees Beach in Cumbria offers a 5.2% saving.
At the bottom of the list are Blackpool (-24.4%), Filey (-27.5%) and South Bay in Scarborough, where homes are 33.7% cheaper than the surrounding area – suggesting that not all seaside settings enjoy the same draw when it comes to buyer demand.
HOUSE PRICE PREMIUMS
Adam Day, Head of eXp UK and Europe, says: “Britain’s beaches are among the best in the world and it’s no surprise that homes near the most desirable stretches of coastline carry a hefty house price premium.
“From the dramatic cliffs of Rhossili to the sweeping sands of Bamburgh and Kingsbarns, proximity to a top beach is a powerful lifestyle driver and in property terms, that demand translates to value.
“However, not every beachside location comes at a premium, and savvy buyers willing to explore lesser-known coastal towns can still find excellent value by the sea.”
