Properties located within the United Kingdom's national parks are, on average, 24% more expensive than comparable homes in other areas, according to data from Nationwide Building Society. This premium translates to an additional cost of approximately £66,500 based on the current UK average house price of £278,784.
Even homes situated on the outskirts of national parks command a higher price. Properties within about three miles of a national park boundary experience a 6% premium compared to those further afield. Similar price increases are observed for homes in designated national landscapes, such as the Chilterns, Cotswolds, and Surrey Hills.
Most and Least Expensive National Parks
Eyri, also known as Snowdonia in Wales, emerges as the most affordable national park for homebuyers. The average cost of a home in Snowdonia is £203,000, which is £75,784 below the UK national average. Wales has the highest proportion of land designated as national parks among the UK's home nations, covering 20% of its land area.
Scotland's Cairngorms is the second most affordable option, with homes averaging around £255,000, also below the national average. Other relatively accessible national parks include the Brecon Beacons in Wales (£292,000) and the Pembrokeshire Coast in Wales (£310,000). In Yorkshire Dales, prices are around £315,000, while the Lake District averages £325,000. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs in Scotland has an average home price of £330,000.
Dartmoor ranks as the fourth most expensive national park, with an average property price of £348,000. The Peak District sees a substantial increase, with average house prices at £450,000. The South Downs is the second most expensive, with an average property cost of £485,000. The New Forest is identified as the most expensive national park to purchase a home, with average prices reaching £563,000.
Andrew Harvey, a senior economist at Nationwide, attributed the higher prices in national parks to their desirability due to beautiful countryside and proximity to outdoor activities. He also noted that controlled development and limited new housing construction likely contribute to these elevated property values.
National Landscapes Also Fetch a Premium
National landscapes, formerly known as areas of outstanding natural beauty, are also designated for conservation and are highly sought after. Around 15% of land in England falls within these designations.
The Cornwall national landscape is the cheapest in the UK, with homes priced at approximately £300,000. Dorset and the Wye Valley follow, with average prices of £345,000 and £370,000, respectively. East Devon and south Devon offer properties for under £400,000.
In contrast, High Weald has average prices around £505,000. The Chilterns are the second most expensive national landscape at approximately £685,000, while the Surrey Hills is the priciest, with average property prices of £710,000.
Harvey commented that while national landscapes may be less well-known than national parks, they are also very desirable places to live, contributing to relatively high house prices.