Since 2002, house prices have more than doubled in half of the seaside towns surveyed in England and Wales, according to latest research from Halifax. Over the past decade, the average house price in seaside towns rose by 97%, slightly ahead of the 95% increase in the whole of England and Wales.

Seaham, in County Durham, has recorded the biggest rise over the past decade with the average house price increasing by almost 183% from £38,443 in 2002 to £108,742 in 2012. Wadebridge and Padstow – both in Cornwall – have seen the next largest rises with increases of 173% and 171% respectively. The average price in Wadebridge is now at £348,986, and £382,806 in Padstow.

Seaside Towns - 10 biggest house price increases 2002- 2012 

Southern seaside towns are the most expensive

There is a marked North-South divide in house prices in seaside towns, despite big increases in house prices in many seaside towns in the north over the past ten years. All ten of the most expensive seaside towns are on the south coast with eight in the South West.

Salcombe in Devon (£528,920) and Sandbanks in Dorset (£525,927) have the highest average prices with both also featuring amongst the most expensive areas in the country. 

10 Most Expensive Seaside Towns in England & Wales    

Blackpool is one of the most inexpensive seaside towns

Not all seaside towns boast high average prices. Blackpool - one of the most famed and historically popular seaside towns in England - features in the list of the ten least expensive seaside towns with an average house price of £104,747.

All ten least expensive seaside towns are in northern England. The least expensive town in the survey is Newbiggin-by-the-Sea in Northumberland with an average house price of £75,063. 

10 Least Expensive Seaside Towns in England & Wales