Coasts with the most: Britain’s best seaside locations

The Helford River draws families back for its quiet waters and relaxed boating (AWL). Main image, Salcombe harbour at sunrise (AWL)

Scenic, stress-busting and wonderfully social, life by the sea is more in demand than ever – homes within 100 metres of the coast typically cost 14% more than those 1km inland, according to the new Savills report on waterfront living. But with prices for coastal properties remaining flat between 2020 and the end of last year, in part thanks to recent tax changes, now is an ideal time to buy a house by the water. Here, four Savills agents pick their top locations for a seaside home.

Devon and Cornwall
Access to some of Britain’s best sailing waters draws buyers to Salcombe, on the Kingsbridge Estuary in south Devon, and to the Helford River, between Falmouth and the Lizard in Cornwall. “The best waterfront homes trade once in a generation,” says Chris Clifford, Savills head of Devon and Cornwall. “There’s such a joy to stepping into a boat, rather than a car, to go to one of your favourite lunch spots.”

In Salcombe, this might well be the Winking Prawn. Generations of families flock to the South Hams town, which is enduringly popular over the summer. Across the estuary, East Portlemouth offers a calmer pace and sandy beaches. Properties in Salcombe start at £750,000 and can run to several millions. The Helford River attracts families year after year, drawn by rugged coastal walks and days spent pottering about in boats, without the bustle of the Salcombe “scene”. As Clifford puts it, they come for “rock-pooling, buckets and spades, and a pint of prawns”. Many homeowners come down on the London-Penzance sleeper train. Machan, a superb four-bedroom Art Moderne house overlooking Gillan Creek, with paths leading down to the foreshore, is for sale at £4.75 million.

Aberporth beach, an idyllic location to holiday or live in (Alamy)

Wales
For many West Midlanders seeking wide, sandy beaches and estuary sailing, Aberdovey in Gwynedd is top of the list. “You can find pretty roads of cottages sloping up from the village, with properties from £200,000 to £4 million,” says Charlie Kannreuther, Savills country house department director. Occupying a commanding position is Plas Penhelig, a modernised 11-bedroom house set in 12.4 acres, with a tennis court and croquet lawn. It’s on the market for £3.75 million.

Further north, on the beautiful Llŷn Peninsula, Abersoch is a favourite with Cheshire dwellers. Its blend of beaches, golf and upscale shopping, along with a coveted sense of community, sees many families heading there for August, says Kannreuther. Expect to pay at least £3 million for a sought-after contemporary waterfront home.

“Anglesey has some wonderful holiday destinations, including Rhosneigr, with its sandy beach – where kite surfing is popular – and excellent seaside shops and restaurants,” Kannreuther adds. “Trearddur Bay is home to the long-established Trearddur Bay Sailing Club, which has attracted successive generations of families from all over the UK. And Beaumaris is a captivating seaside town where nearby homes command a premium.” Cartref, a five-bedroom house with a private beach, swimming pool and tennis court, is currently for sale at £2.3 million.

A top pick for Daniel Rees, Savills head of residential and rural sales in South and West Wales, is the fishing village of Aberporth in Ceredigion. “The village retains a wealth of character and history, and offers an idyllic location to holiday or live in,” he says. As well as two renowned sandy beaches and a breathtaking coastline, Aberporth has an impressive selection of pubs and restaurants. Other buyer hotspots include Newport in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, which offers glorious walking and award-winning beaches, and the seaside village of Ferryside on the River Towy, which flows out to Carmarthen Bay. “You have miles of coastal walks on your doorstep, an active sailing club, a pretty beach and excellent fishing,” says Rees. A four-bedroom home here costs about £650,000.

Plockton, a jewel of the Highlands, offers fishing, yachting and easy access to the Isle of Skye (Alamy)

Scotland
The pretty harbour town of Plockton is the top pick for Iona Conn, Savills associate director, residential, Glasgow. “This ‘jewel of the Highlands’ offers fishing, yachting and access to the Isle of Skye,” she says. Some buyers will pay a steep premium: last year, a unique waterside four-bedroom house with a guide price of £1.25 million sold for £2.2 million after multiple offers.

About 25% of the buyers seeking a home by the water are from outside Scotland, according to Conn, with areas including Argyll and Bute drawing a high level of interest. “Argyll is more accessible from Glasgow,” she says. “The distillery town of Oban is the gateway to Mull and the Inner Hebrides, while picturesque lochside towns such as Inveraray or the pretty coastal village of Lochgoilhead also remain popular.”

Lochside living is available at a wide range of price points. Shore Cottage, a quaint two-bedroom home at Strachur on Loch Fyne, is on the market for offers over £350,000, and Ardanaiseig House, a fine 16-bedroom country house in a 173-acre estate on Loch Awe, is available for offers over £2 million.