New analysis has revealed the UK’s cheapest seaside towns, with homes available from as little as £120,000 despite rising demand in many coastal hotspots. Peterlee in County Durham has been named the most affordable seaside location, with average asking prices standing at just £120,657.
Other low-cost coastal towns include Grimsby in Lincolnshire (£133,706), Ashington in Northumberland (£133,775) and Bootle in Merseyside (£141,680). Rightmove’s findings showed that while some seaside towns are seeing house prices rise faster than the wider UK market, many coastal areas remain significantly below the national average property price of £378,304. Bootle was identified as the fastest-growing seaside market, with asking prices rising by 11% compared with last year. Despite the increase, prices in the Merseyside town remain relatively affordable.
Crosby, also in Merseyside, saw prices climb by 9% year-on-year to an average of £330,900. Several Welsh seaside towns also recorded strong growth, including Llantwit Major in South Glamorgan, where prices rose by 9%, and Llanelli in Carmarthenshire, up by 7%.
Rightmove said around 80% of the seaside locations analysed still have average asking prices below the UK figure, highlighting that coastal living remains accessible for many buyers.
“The fastest-growing seaside markets this year show that demand for coastal homes remains resilient, even as overall price growth across the UK stays more modest,” Colleen Babcock, Rightmove’s property expert, said. “While some locations are seeing strong price increases, there are still many areas where living by the sea is more affordable, giving buyers a wider range of options depending on their budget.
“We’re also seeing that homes priced realistically continue to attract interest, particularly in locations where price growth is being supported by buyer demand.”
- Peterlee, County Durham, £120,657
- Grimsby, Lincolnshire, £133,706
- Ashington, Northumberland, £133,775
- Bootle, Merseyside, £141,680
- Blackpool, Lancashire, £142,277
- Fleetwood, Lancashire, £147,910
- Birkenhead, Merseyside, £148,942
- Workington, Cumbria, £155,013
- Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland, £157,754
- Seaham, County Durham, £157,994
At the other end of the market, Sandbanks in Poole remains Britain’s most expensive seaside hotspot, with average house prices topping £1.12million.