Sandbanks has retained its title as the UK’s most expensive coastal location, with the average home now costing £965,708, according to new data from Lloyds Bank.
However, prices in the exclusive Dorset enclave have slipped 3% over the past year – equivalent to a decline of £33,595 – as wider coastal markets show signs of softening.
Despite the marginal dip, Sandbanks continues to top a coastal property ranking still dominated by high-value destinations in the South West.
Salcombe in Devon holds second place with average prices of £826,159, followed by Padstow in Cornwall (£715,974) and Aldeburgh in Suffolk (£619,693).
REGIONAL VARIATIONS
Across Britain, the average coastal property now sells for £295,991, down 1% year-on-year. Yet over the past five years, values have risen by 18% overall, and by as much as 37% in premium seaside towns.
The steepest increase was recorded in St Mawes, Cornwall, where average prices have soared 68% since 2019 to £548,669.
“Coastal living continues to carry a premium,” says Amanda Bryden, Head of Mortgages at Lloyds. “Sea views, sandy beaches and lifestyle appeal are still driving demand in the most desirable areas, particularly in the South West.”
Although some high-end markets have seen a cooling, the broader picture remains resilient, underpinned by the ongoing appeal of lifestyle relocation and second-home ownership.
In terms of market activity, Brighton led the country in 2023 with £927 million in coastal property sales, followed by Plymouth (£810 million) and Poole (£802 million). Plymouth also registered the highest number of transactions at 3,258.
At the more affordable end of the spectrum, Scotland continues to offer significant value. Campbeltown, on the Kintyre Peninsula, recorded the UK’s lowest average coastal property price at £103,078 – down 11% over the year. Other budget-friendly Scottish markets include Rothesay (£111,764), Millport (£114,008), and Port Bannatyne (£115,421).
In England, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea in Northumberland offers the most affordable coastal homes, while in Wales, Prestatyn ranks as the cheapest seaside option.
Bryden says that while prestige postcodes like Sandbanks dominate the headlines, there are “pockets of real affordability” for buyers willing to look beyond traditional hotspots.
However, she cautions that not all coastal communities are thriving, with many grappling with seasonal economies and limited affordable housing for locals.
