Homes situated within the UK's national parks carry a significant price premium, with buyers paying approximately £66,500 more on average compared to properties outside these protected areas, according to data from Nationwide Building Society.
This premium extends even to homes on the periphery of national parks. Properties located within a three-mile radius of a national park boundary typically command a 6% increase in price. National landscapes, such as the Chilterns, Cotswolds, and Surrey Hills, also benefit from this desirability.
Most and Least Expensive National Parks
For the most affordable entry into a national park property, buyers can look to Eyri, also known as Snowdonia in Wales, where the average home cost is approximately £203,000. This is £75,784 less than the UK national average house price. National parks cover the largest proportion of land in Wales among the home nations at 20%.
Scotland's Cairngorms offers the second most affordable option, with homes averaging around £255,000, a figure below the UK national average. In Wales, the Brecon Beacons averages £292,000, while the Pembrokeshire Coast averages £310,000. Further north, homes in the Yorkshire Dales are priced at approximately £315,000, and in the Lake District, the average is £325,000. Loch Lomond and The Trossachs in Scotland has an average home price of £330,000.
On the higher end, Dartmoor is noted as the fourth most expensive national park, with average prices around £348,000. The Peak District sees a substantial increase, with average house prices at £450,000, £171,216 above the UK average. The South Downs is the second most expensive, with properties averaging £485,000. The New Forest is identified as the priciest national park for homebuyers, with average prices reaching £563,000.
Andrew Harvey, Nationwide's senior economist, attributed the high desirability of national parks to their beautiful countryside, access to outdoor activities, and limited new housing construction, which can contribute to elevated property values.
National Landscapes Also See Premiums
Properties within designated national landscapes, previously known as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, also reflect higher prices, though generally lower than national parks. These areas, covering about 15% of England's land, are recognized for their significant landscape value.
The Cornwall national landscape is the most affordable in this category, with homes priced around £300,000. Dorset and the Wye Valley follow, with average prices of approximately £345,000 and £370,000, respectively. East Devon and South Devon offer options under £400,000.
However, prices escalate significantly in other national landscapes. High Weald averages £505,000, the Chilterns are priced around £685,000, and the Surrey Hills stands as the most expensive national landscape, with properties averaging £710,000.
Harvey noted that while less known than national parks, national landscapes are also highly sought after, contributing to their relatively high house prices.