Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by PropertyWire. Read the original article for full details.

Coastal Property Markets Outpace National Trends with Double-Digit Growth

Several British seaside locations have recorded double-digit price growth over the past year, according to data from Rightmove. This contrasts with a national decline in asking prices for UK property.

Bootle in Merseyside led the coastal rankings, with average asking prices rising by 11% year-on-year. Crosby in Liverpool and Penarth in South Glamorgan both saw 9% annual growth. Other Welsh coastal areas also featured prominently, with Llantwit Major in South Glamorgan up 8% and Llanelli in Carmarthenshire recording 7% growth.

These figures stand in contrast to the national average, which saw asking prices fall by 0.3% over the same period. Rightmove reported that the average price of property coming to market in May 2026 was £378,304.

Mary-Lou Press, President of NAEA Propertymark, noted that many of the fastest-growing seaside markets remain relatively affordable, particularly in the North West and Wales. She highlighted that buyers should consider factors beyond price growth, such as transport links, local employment, flood risk, and ongoing housing costs.

Colleen Babcock, Rightmove’s property expert, stated that demand for coastal homes remains resilient despite modest overall price growth across UK housing markets. The data suggests that flexible working arrangements continue to influence buyer decisions, with some purchasers reassessing their location priorities. Properties priced realistically continue to attract interest in locations where growth is supported by buyer demand.

For letting agents and inventory clerks, these trends indicate shifting demand patterns and potential opportunities in coastal markets, especially in regions showing strong growth and affordability.