Being a maritime nation, the British have a great affiliation with the sea and the coast that surrounds our small country. Whether it's the bustle of the popular resorts or the more wild and woolly aspects of some of the hidden areas along our coastline, there are many of us who would gladly swap the busy city centres for a bit of comparative solitude that some of the seaside towns afford the visitor.
Or perhaps you might be thinking of relocating to a coastal area to take advantage of the cleaner air that such seaside towns can provide. But you might also be wary because of the extra money that such UK coastal property prices demand purely because of their location.
UK coastal property market 2025: latest data revealed
Lloyds Bank has carried out some research of the data held at HM Land Registry over the year to the end of January 2025 to identify which areas and towns have the most expensive seaside properties UK - and also the cheapest coastal towns UK in each region. While there are some locations that are inevitably very expensive, there are others that are worth looking into because the average affordable seaside towns Britain offer comparatively reasonable prices.
Most expensive coastal properties lead by Sandbanks
Topping the list for the most expensive, unsurprisingly, is the small enclave of Sandbanks near Poole in Dorset, where Sandbanks property prices are pushed up by being favoured by the rich and famous, as well as its climate, the luxury that is afforded the properties and access to nearby amenities and leisure options including sea sports.
However, it's interesting to note that, while Sandbanks continues to dominate the annual list of most expensive seaside properties UK, it's the bustling city of Brighton and Hove that has had the greatest value of sales over the year, followed by Plymouth and Poole. For the number of properties bought and sold, it was Plymouth that came out on top (3,258), followed by Bournemouth (2,195) and Brighton (1,982).
Scotland dominates most affordable coastal property market
Despite the high prices of some areas, there are naturally locations that offer affordable seaside towns Britain, with Scottish coastal property prices dominating the list with all of the top ten cheapest being found north of the border. Campbeltown, made famous in the Wings song, Mull of Kintyre, tops out the list as the cheapest place to buy seaside property UK with the average Campbeltown property prices at just £103,078.
As far as Wales is concerned, it was the coastal town of Prestatyn that came out on top for affordable coastal towns, while Newbiggin-by-the-Sea in the North-East being the cheapest overall location in England for seaside property under £200k UK.
UK coastal property prices by region: complete breakdown
The full list of the most expensive and cheapest coastal towns UK across Great Britain makes for interesting reading:
Coastal Region | Cheapest Location | Cheapest Average Price (2024) | Most Expensive Location | Most expensive Average Price (2024) |
East Midlands | Skegness | £202,559 | Chapel St. Leonards | £214,802 |
East of England | Lowestoft | £238,372 | Aldeburgh | £619,693 |
North-East | Newbiggin-by-the-Sea | £132,863 | Whitley Bay | £310,918 |
North-West | Fleetwood | £146,338 | Grange-over-Sands | £308,419 |
Scotland | Campbeltown | £103,078 | St. Andrews | £458,381 |
South-East | East Cowes | £239,605 | Lymington | £608,253 |
South-West | Plymouth | £248,668 | Sandbanks | £965,708 |
Wales | Prestatyn | £192,331 | The Mumbles | £417,043 |
Yorkshire and the Humber | Withernsea | £148,402 | Whitby/Robin's Hood Bay | £299,161 |
Source: Lloyds Bank, taken from HM Land Registry house price data (12 months to January 2025) and the registers of Scotland for 2024 full year
Expert analysis: coastal property market trends 2025
Amanda Bryden, Head of Mortgages at Lloyds Bank, commented on the UK coastal property market 2025 findings:
Coastal living UK continues to hold a special appeal - whether it's the lure of sea views, sandy beaches, or a slower pace of life.
Our latest research shows the most exclusive seaside spots - like Sandbanks - still command premium prices in the seaside property market trends.
In some of the UK's most desirable coastal towns, average prices have dipped slightly over the past year.
But, over the longer term, values remain significantly higher - especially in the South-West, where demand from lifestyle movers continues to shape the coastal property investment UK market.
At the other end of the scale, there are still pockets of real affordability - particularly in Scotland, where buyers can find cheap beach house UK options for a fraction of the price.
For those willing to look beyond the traditional hotspots, there are some hidden gems offering great value and a strong sense of community among affordable coastal towns. It's also important to recognise that not all coastal areas share the same fortunes.
Some seaside towns face significant challenges, from seasonal economies to a lack of affordable housing for local people."
Next steps for coastal property buyers
When purchasing coastal property, it's important to work with experienced conveyancing solicitors who understand the unique challenges that can arise with seaside purchases, such as flood risk assessments and coastal erosion considerations.
For those ready to take the next step in their coastal property journey, Homeward Legal offers specialized conveyancing services with transparent pricing and a 'no completion, no fee' promise.
For conveyancing quotes and advice, call or use the online quote generator.