Revealed: The premium residence consumers pay for a property in a nationwide park
- The New Forest and South Downs attract hefty premiums, data shows
Properties located within national parks are typically £66,000 more expensive than similar homes located elsewhere, data reveals.
Often boasting a tranquil setting and panoramic views, homes in national parks generally command a 25 per cent premium, according to figures from Nationwide.
The most expensive national park to buy property in is the New Forest, with an average price tag of £576,000. The number of residents living within the New Forest itself is only around 34,000, Nationwide said.
Villages within the New Forest national park include Ashurst, Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst.
Speaking to This is Money, Dan Fells, a director at Fells New Forest Property, said: ‘There’s something truly special about the New Forest that just captures people’s hearts.
‘It’s not just the stunning landscapes, though the sweeping heathlands, ancient woodlands, and picturesque villages certainly play their part, but it’s also the lifestyle.’
Idyllic: This gorgeous mews house has divine views of the South Downs
Inviting: The two-bed home near Petworth close to the South Downs is on sale for £425,000
Wow: The property near Petworth comes with use of the communal grounds
He added: ‘Buyers love the slower pace, the fresh air, and the feeling of space; it’s worlds away from the city buzz.
‘Since more people can now work remotely, we’ve seen an influx of buyers looking to make that dream a reality.
‘They’re typically after homes with character, those classic New Forest cottages, thatched roofs, or spacious family homes that blend countryside appeal with a touch of contemporary style.’
The South Downs, Peak District and Yorkshire Dales are the second, third and fourth most expensive national parks to buy property in, with average prices at £400,000, £375,000 and £353,000 respectively.
The South Downs has the highest resident population of any of the national parks, at 115,100. The park includes a number of sought-after towns in Hampshire and Sussex like Petersfield, Liss, Midhurst and Petworth.
Andrew Harvey, Nationwide’s senior economist, said: ‘National Parks continue to be highly desirable areas to live in thanks to the beautiful countryside.
‘Those living in such areas are ideally placed to make the most of the great outdoors and take advantage of a range of activities and amenities.
‘Development is also controlled with limited new housing construction, which also helps to explain why house prices tend to be relatively high.’
Move straight in: The mews house near Petworth is in excellent condition and ready to go
Background: Biddulph Mews is part of a converted stable courtyard and was converted into five cottages in 1999
Perfection: Residents of Biddulph Mews have full private access to over 100 acres of the Burton Park Estate
Property prices in national parks like the Lake District and Dartmoor are lower than in other national parks, at around £333,000 and £310,000 respectively, Nationwide said.
The cheapest national park to buy a home in is Eryri, previously known as Snowdonia, where buyers will have to fork out roughly £173,000 for a house.
National parks cover 20 per cent of the land area in Wales, the highest proportion of the home nations, with Eryri, the biggest, covering 2,176km, according to Nationwide.
Be ready for a bidding war
Nigel Bishop, of Recoco Property Search, said: ‘The property markets across parks do have a micro-climate as supply and demand levels are very niche compared to the wider UK property market.
‘To keep them protected, local authorities often have strict rules in place to control new developments being built. This results in very limited numbers of properties being available for sale and requires house hunters to have particular patience during their search.
‘Buyers need to be aware that the limited supply of properties in and around national parks does create a sellers’ market which can make price negotiations more challenging.’
Buyers looking to purchase just outside a national park can also expect to pay a premium.
According to Nationwide, homes within around three miles of a national park typically command a 7 per cent premium compared with those outside of this range.
Opportunity: Warren Copse is another New Forest home on sale via Fells New Forest Property
Soothing: Warren Copse has a guide price of £575,000
Neighbours: New Forest ponies are known to walk past the cottage
Rural charm: It is nestled on a peaceful private lane at the edge of the village of Woodgreen
Areas of outstanding natural beauty
Nationwide said properties located in areas of outstanding natural beauty, like the Cotswolds, Chilterns and Surrey Hills, typically attract a 15 per cent price premium over an otherwise identical property.
Surrey Hills is the most expensive AONB to purchase property, with average prices at around £610,000.
Harvey, of Nationwide, said: ‘The AONB was designated in 1958 and covers a quarter of the county of Surrey.
‘Around 40,000 people live in the Surrey Hills AONB, mostly in small villages and rural hamlets, such as Shere, Mickleham and Westhumble.’
The Chilterns area, running from Goring-on-Thames up through parts of Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, is the second most expensive AONB to buy a home, with prices at around £570,000.
In the Cotswolds, the largest AONB, average property prices are around £401,000. Some of the main towns in the area include Tetbury, Bourton-on-the-Water and Stow-on-the-Wold, which can all become extremely busy with tourists in the summer months.
The cheapest AONB to purchase a property is Dorset, where average house prices are around £323,000.
