The average asking price of a beach hut across Britain's most sought-after coastal hotspots has fallen by 9.8% over the past year, following a 19.6% decline the year before, according to research from estate agency Yopa.
County-by-county price changes
West Sussex recorded the biggest annual drop at 35.1%, with average prices falling to £21,444. Norfolk saw a 13% decline to £16,743, Essex fell 12.2% to £40,298, Hampshire dropped 12% to £28,727, Kent decreased 5.5% to £41,247, and East Sussex slipped 2.9% to £29,895.
Only two counties bucked the national trend: Dorset saw a 2.8% increase to £105,343, and Suffolk rose 6.6% to £27,676.
Post-pandemic surge subsides
The market enjoyed an extraordinary surge after Covid restrictions were lifted, with prices rocketing 37.1% in the year after the final lockdown before climbing another 7.9% the following year. However, higher borrowing costs and weaker confidence have cooled the wider housing market, and beach huts have not escaped the slowdown.
Despite two years of declines, some areas remain well above pre-pandemic levels. Dorset's asking prices are still 71% higher than in 2022, West Sussex is 31% above, Essex 15%, and East Sussex 14%. Only Norfolk, Hampshire and Suffolk are now below their 2022 averages.
Top-end market still strong
Earlier this year, a beach hut at Mudeford Spit in Dorset was marketed for around £485,000 despite having no running water or mains electricity. Huts at Southwold in Suffolk and Bournemouth have regularly commanded six-figure prices, while prime huts at Whitstable in Kent and Frinton-on-Sea in Essex have sold for sums comparable to a family home.
Verona Frankish, chief executive of Yopa, said: "The beach hut market experienced the same surge in demand that we saw across the wider housing market in the wake of the pandemic, as buyers placed far greater value on lifestyle purchases and making the most of the UK's coastline."
She added: "Whilst demand for beach huts remains strong, they're ultimately a discretionary purchase and, with confidence across the wider property market remaining somewhat subdued, it's no surprise that we've seen values ease over the last couple of years. That doesn't mean the market has lost its appeal. In fact, values remain higher than they were before the post-pandemic boom, meaning many owners have still enjoyed healthy long-term growth."
Frankish noted that the correction presents an opportunity for buyers, with far better value available today than there has been for some time.
