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Evening Standard

Vicky Shaw

Britain’s most expensive seaside towns and cheaper ‘hidden gems’ revealed

Lloyds Britain Scotland Sandbanks (Geopolitical Entity) South West Bute Argyll (Geopolitical Entity) North West

With its golden beaches and associations with luxury lifestyles, Sandbanks in Dorset has been identified as Britain’s most expensive seaside location.

Home buyers wanting to move to Sandbanks will not get much change from £1 million typically, with the average house price sitting at £965,708 last year, according to Lloyds.

The bank said while the average house price in Sandbanks has fallen by three per cent, or £33,595, compared with 2023, it still sits at the top of its coastal property league, which is dominated by locations in the South West of England.

Sandbanks is known as a popular location for celebrities, with it array of upscale restaurants and glitzy nightlife.

Salcombe in Devon, with its galleries and boutiques, is second on the Lloyds list, with an average house price of £826,159 in 2024.

Sandbanks is known for its golden beaches (Andrew Matthews/PA Archive)

Foodie hotspot Padstow in Cornwall is third, with buyers paying £715,974 on average to live there and enjoy the charm of its harbour and seafood scene on a daily basis.

Aldeburgh, Suffolk, known for its arts scene and architecture, is fourth with an average house price of £619,693.

Across Britain, the average price of a home by the sea was £295,991 last year — down one per cent compared with 2023 — Lloyds said.

The Lloyds Coastal Homes Review tracked house price movements in 197 coastal locations.

Despite the small dip, prices in coastal towns increased nearly a fifth (18 per cent) over the five years from 2019, the bank said.

Purchasers could buy around nine homes in the most affordable seaside location on the Lloyds list, based on average house prices, for the cost of one property in Sandbanks.

Aldeburgh in Suffolk is fourth on the list compiled by Lloyds (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Cheaper, hidden gems

For buyers looking for a home by the sea at a more affordable price, Campbeltown on the scenic Kintyre Peninsula in Argyll and Bute has an average house price of £103,078. Home movers to the region can raise a toast to their new property with a dram of locally-produced whisky.

Other coastal areas at the less expensive end of the house price spectrum include the Rothesay on the Isle of Bute (with an average house price of £111,764), Millport on Great Cumbrae (£114,008), and Port Bannatyne also on Bute (£115,421).

Amanda Bryden, head of mortgages at Lloyds, said: “Coastal living 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 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 market.

The average house price in Campbeltown, Argyll and Bute, is £103,078 (Alamy/PA)

“At the other end of the scale, there are still pockets of real affordability — particularly in Scotland, where buyers can find coastal homes 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.

“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.”

Lloyds used data from the Land Registry and the Registers of Scotland for its research.

Table: the cost of buying in one of Britain’s most expensive seaside locations

Seaside location	UK region	Average house price (2024)
Sandbanks	South West	£965,708
Salcombe	South West	£826,159
Padstow	South West	£715,974
Aldeburgh	East of England	£619,693
Lymington	South East	£608,253
St Mawes	South West	£552,198
Lyme Regis	South West	£531,815
Budleigh Salterton	South West	£496,998
Dartmouth	South West	£495,643
Kingsbridge	South West	£484,986

Source: Lloyds

Table: Britain’s cheapest seaside locations (all in Scotland)

Location	Average price (2024)
Campbeltown (Argyll and Bute)	£103,078
Rothesay (Argyll and Bute)	£111,764
Millport (North Ayrshire)	£114,008
Port Bannatyne (Argyll and Bute)	£115,421
Girvan (South Ayrshire)	£116,211
Greenock (Inverclyde)	£117,751
Ardrossan (North Ayrshire)	£124,532
Wick (Highlands)	£126,708
Stranraer (Dumfries and Galloway)	£128,888
Saltcoats (North Ayrshire)	£129,194