We reveal Great Britain’s most in-demand seaside town

• Ives is Great Britain’s most popular seaside town for people looking to buy a home, new Rightmove data has found
• Cromer and Cowes complete the top three, with southern England dominating the top ten
• The popular beach resorts of Newquay, and Sandown on the Isle of Wight, are also among the most in-demand seaside towns, while Whitby is the only northern location in the top ten
• Experts suggest the demand could be explained by people opting to holiday in Great Britain

St. Ives has been crowned the country’s most in-demand seaside town, according to new data from Rightmove.

The average asking price of property in St. Ives, a town famed for its golden sandy beaches, is £396,619. That’s £84,443 higher than the average asking price of properties in the South West.

Rightmove found that asking prices in the picturesque coastal town, a hotspot for surfers, have risen by 29% since 2014.

The Cornish seaside towns of Penzance and Newquay also make it in to the most in-demand areas, alongside Teignmouth in Devon, Cowes and Sandown in the Isle of Wight, Cromer, Newhaven, Whitby and Shoreham-by-Sea.

The county of Cornwall, home to three of the top ten most in-demand seaside towns in Rightmove’s table, has seen average asking prices rise by 1.8% between July 2018 and July 2019.

The top ten includes a mix of places such as Penzance, renowned for its golden sands, and Cowes – a pebble-covered beach which also hosts the oldest and largest annual sailing regatta in the world.

Of the top ten seaside locations, Newhaven in East Sussex has seen the biggest five-year price change, with average asking prices rising by 30% since 2014.

Rightmove’s property expert Miles Shipside said: “The lure of a sea view and the proximity to the vibrancy of open water is a massive draw for many home movers. This research not only reaffirms that, but reveals buyers’ favourites, too. There is a strong southern bias as sea is perhaps, in some people’s minds, enjoyed more with better weather. Other amenities and transport links are important elements too, plus a community spirit.

“Retirees will be looking for all of these features, so it’s no surprise this list includes well-known locations that cater for their needs. Affordability is a big issue too, so the top ten includes a wide variety of price brackets to suit different budgets. While some may consider a move abroad to fulfil their retirement dream, this research shows the familiarity of our coastline has enduring appeal.”

Richard Marris, a negotiator at Miller Countrywide Estate Agents in St. Ives, added: “What’s great about this town is that people move here because they want to, not because they need to. We’ve got a thriving shopping area and fantastic beaches which are very popular with surfers. The harbour is beautiful, and we’ve also got a range of galleries. We have the Tate St Ives, so we have that sense of culture as well. But you can also get here direct from Paddington station in London.

“The train stops directly in the heart of the town, so you needn’t ever touch a car; I often see people walking about town with their wheelie suitcases, it’s lovely. There are also new planning laws here around second homes, so there is a certain element of exclusivity which means homes are sold quickly. And as I’ve mentioned, it’s a great place for artists. It’s one of the few towns that faces north so we get the most extraordinary lighting for photos and paintings, it’s really special.”

Top ten most popular seaside towns in Great Britain: