Eight coastal areas in the spotlight for buyers

Back in 2019, a long weekend spent by the seaside, or even a day trip, was just the escape many of us needed.

Two years and several lockdown periods on, changing priorities and lifestyle overhauls have led many landlocked city residents to dare to dream of a new life on the coast.

We’ve seen demand from city dwellers for homes by the sea more than double since the pandemic began, especially in coastal locations which offer plenty of outdoor activities, good shops and restaurants, and – crucially – a sandy beach.

The number of enquiries from those living in urban areas for these kind of towns and villages has shot up, shining a spotlight on the West Country, the South Coast, Wales and the North West coastline. We take a look at what’s on offer in the coastal hotspots getting the most attention from potential buyers right now.

Dartmouth, Devon

Increase in buyer searches in 2021 compared to 2019: 117%
Average asking price: £437,420

The historic seafaring town of Dartmouth has seen the biggest increase in home searches by potential buyers. The town has some beautiful Regency-era townhouses, some converted into flats, and streets of pretty pastel-painted cottages.

Set on the estuary of the River Dart, it has a spectacularly pretty harbour and it is an excellent all-year-round option, with lots going on, including comedy and fishing festivals, and a regatta. Its shops are excellent, as are its bars and restaurants, and if you do want to take a dip in the sea, Sugary Cove Beach is just over a mile away.

Salcombe, Devon

Increase in buyer searches in 2021 compared to 2019: 112%
Average asking price: £793,856

A massive hit with the sailing crowd, Salcombe is a very chic seaside resort with some fabulous pubs and restaurants. Water sports are big here – as well as sailing you can try your hand at kayaking or paddle boarding, and its two sandy beaches are absolutely lovely. The town is full of boutiques, bistros, and bars, and Salcombe really comes alive in summer with fairs, regattas, and festivals.

However, it’s a popular spot, not just with tourists, but with homebuyers, too. Average asking prices here are amongst the highest in the West Country. Property ranges from multi-million pound contemporary beach houses, to incredibly pretty period houses around the harbour.

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Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire

Increase in buyer searches in 2021 compared to 2019: 107%
Average asking price: £306,761

The beach in Saundersfoot is what seaside dreams are made of, especially at low tide when a massive expanse of white sand is exposed. The harbourside is charming, and although small, the village does have everyday shops and a choice of pubs and restaurants. Saundersfoot is also within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, so the local walks are excellent.

Here you’ll find a mix of newly-built houses, plenty of bungalows, and the odd traditional cottage in the village.

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Morecambe, Lancashire

Increase in buyer searches in 2021 compared to 2019: 105%
Average asking price: £168,436

Once a busy seaside resort, Morecambe has the feel of a working market town with a shopping centre, street markets, and a cinema. Cornwall’s The Eden Project is planning to build a £125m northern outpost, due to be opened by 2024. These pavilions, by the vast expanse of Morecambe Bay, will provide a major boost to the town.

Property-wise, you can pick up 1930s family homes, townhouses on the promenade, modern apartments, and bungalows in Morecambe.

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Tenby, Pembrokeshire

Increase in buyer searches in 2021 compared to 2019: 103%
Average asking price: £328,600

In summer, Tenby is the perfect place to find a sheltered cove or harbour for boating or simply messing about on the beach. In winter, this ancient walled town has plenty on too, with a busy calendar of sporting, arts and social events – those of a hardy disposition might want to join the annual Tenby Boxing Day Swim. The harbour is incredibly Instagram friendly, with pastel-painted houses set overlooking water.

Tenby is popular enough that developers have started creating seven-figure modern beach houses around the town, and there are also some lovely tall, skinny period townhouses overlooking the beach. Slightly inland you will find streets of well priced period terraces.

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Teignmouth, Devon

Increase in buyer searches in 2021 compared to 2019: 98%
Average asking price: £291,546

This proper old-school family holiday resort – which is pronounced Tin-mouth – is set where the River Teign meets the English Channel. Its long history as a resort means Teignmouth has some fine Victorian villas, as well as contemporary executive houses, redbrick terraced houses, and tiny but charming fisherman’s cottages to choose from.

It has a Victorian pier, and a great, sandy town beach fringed by arcades and gift shops and is the perfect place to enjoy a dinner of fish and chips on the beach. Beyond the beach there is also a lido, crazy golf, and a skate par, and there are also local opportunities to learn to sail or take a hike along the Templer Way walking trail.

The Georgian high street is extremely pretty and the town has some excellent fish restaurants, some serving oysters from Teignmouth’s oyster beds. There are some good old fashioned pubs, and Teignmouth is known for its music and food feastivals.

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Swansea, Wales

Increase in buyer searches in 2021 compared to 2019: 95%
Average asking price: £180,177

This is the best of both worlds option: live in Wales’s second city, set on the country’s lovely Gower Peninsula.

Swansea has masses going on: a busy city centre with a thriving arts scene, good shopping, and employment opportunities.

It would also suit people looking for an outdoorsy life, because Swansea Bay has a string of top notch beaches, including Rhossili Bay, regularly named the best in Britain, Swansea Bay Beach, Langland Bay, great for surfing, and the beautiful Three Cliffs Bay which is ringed by limestone cliffs. If you want to keep your feet on dry land the Brecon Beacons are close by and great for walking, climbing, and cycling.

If you want to live close to the water you could opt for an apartment in the modern Maritime Quarter, a period terrace in Brynmill, or hunt just west of Swansea, in upscale seaside village Mumbles where you could buy a two bedroom terrace for around £250,000

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Swanage, Dorset

Increase in buyer searches in 2021 compared to 2019: 93%
Average asking price: £411,725

This traditional Victorian seaside resort on the Jurassic Coast was once a tiny fishing village. But its glorious clifftop views and lovely sandy beach soon saw it evolve into a holiday town with a good range of Victorian, Edwardian, and modern housing, and plenty of independent shops selling work by independent artists and makers and good restaurants and cafes.

There’s lots to do outdoors, from scuba diving to abseiling, or kayaking, and the local walking and cycling is excellent.

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READ MORE: Six seaside village hotspots

The header image for this article is provided courtesy of The Coastal House, Dartmouth