UK Seaside House Price Growth: Merseyside and Wales Lead

Seaside towns in Merseyside and Wales have been identified as the coastal hotspots where house prices are rising the fastest, outpacing the wider UK market, according to new analysis from Rightmove.

Fastest-Growing Seaside Locations

Bootle in Merseyside tops the list with average asking prices up 11% compared with last year, reaching £141,680. Despite this growth, prices remain well below the national average. Crosby, another Merseyside hotspot, ranks second with a 9% year-on-year increase to an average of £330,900.

Several Welsh towns have also seen significant jumps. Llantwit Major in South Glamorgan recorded an 8% rise, while Llanelli in Carmarthenshire saw a 7% increase. Penarth, near Cardiff, experienced an 8% uplift, bringing its average asking price to £433,091—the highest among the top 10 fastest-growing spots and the only one above the national average.

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National Market Context

The UK average asking price in May stood at £378,304, according to Rightmove. Nationally, prices are currently 0.3% lower than last year, highlighting how certain seaside locations are defying the downturn. Despite this, coastal living remains relatively affordable: of the roughly 100 seaside areas analysed, around 80% had average asking prices below the national figure.

Most and Least Expensive Coastal Towns

Sandbanks in Poole retains its title as Britain's most expensive seaside hotspot, with an average price tag of £1.12 million. At the other end of the spectrum, Peterlee in County Durham is the cheapest, with an average asking price of £120,657.

Expert Insight

Colleen Babcock, Rightmove's property expert, commented: “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. 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.”