Interest in coastal holiday homes across the UK is still strong, with more buyers looking to seaside towns as more people continue choosing UK breaks over trips abroad.
Between July 2024 and June 2025, UK short term lets saw 93.8 million guest nights, up 10.2% on the previous year, according to the Office for National Statistics.
This shows that people are still choosing holiday homes for their breaks, keeping demand for UK coastal stays high.
At the same time, official census data shows the scale of the second home market remains significant. There are around 70,000 holiday homes in England and Wales, underlining the size of the sector and the ongoing role of coastal property ownership within it.
Property values in prime seaside areas also demonstrate the continued appeal of coastal living.
Recent analysis shows that Sandbanks ranks as the UK’s most expensive seaside location, with average house prices around £965,708, reflecting the premium buyers are willing to pay for coastal property.
However, while demand for short term stays has risen, pricing trends have varied across the country.
Across 20 analysed seaside locations property values fell by an average of around 1 percent between November 2024 and November 2025, suggesting that some buyers may now see renewed opportunity in established coastal towns.
Fastest Growing Coastal Holiday Home Hotspots
Recent trends show that some coastal towns are attracting more interest from holiday home buyers in 2026.
Newquay, Cornwall
Newquay has an estimated population of around 25,000 people, which can more than triple during the summer months with tourists. Newquay continues to benefit from strong domestic tourism and the town remains a hotspot for holiday home buyers thanks to its beaches, surf culture, and year‑round visitor demand.
Whitby, North Yorkshire
Whitby has a population of approximately 13,129 residents and remains a high performing market in North Yorkshire, combining heritage tourism with consistent seasonal occupancy. The town’s heritage sites and coastal scenery continue to make it a popular choice for second homes.
Tenby, Pembrokeshire
Tenby is a small Welsh seaside town with around 5,000 residents, yet it attracts large numbers of tourists due to its beaches, harbour, and medieval town walls. Demand for holiday homes here has grown steadily as its picturesque harbour and beaches continue to attract both UK staycationers and buyers seeking lifestyle driven investment.
Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Scarborough is one of Yorkshire’s largest seaside towns with a population of about 61,749 people. Its combination of beaches, heritage attractions, and improved transport links supports consistent interest in holiday homes and short term lets.
St Ives, Cornwall
St Ives has around 10,748 residents, but draws nearly 760,000 visitors annually. One of the UK’s most established holiday markets, St Ives remains highly competitive due to limited housing stock and continued visitor numbers, and also for coastal properties with sea views.
Southwold, Suffolk
Southwold is a smaller coastal town with roughly 950 residents, but its historic pier, lighthouse, and boutique attractions make it a magnet for holidaymakers. Its premium property prices reflect limited supply and strong demand from buyers looking for a quieter seaside escape within reach of London.
Llandudno, North Wales
Llandudno has a population of about 19,700 people and remains one of North Wales’ most visited seaside destinations, offering Victorian architecture, a long promenade, and easy access from the North West of England.
Padstow, Cornwall
Padstow is a small town of around 2,669 people, but its lively harbour and famous restaurants make it a popular destination for tourists. That popularity has helped drive demand for holiday homes and short term rentals.
Filey, North Yorkshire
Filey has around 6,981 residents and is known for its long sandy beach and family-friendly appeal, making it a quiet but desirable option for holiday home buyers.
Bournemouth, Dorset
Bournemouth is a large coastal town with around 196,455 residents, and its sandy beaches, nightlife, and good transport links make it a popular destination for holidaymakers. That popularity helps keep demand for holiday homes and short term rentals high across the town and surrounding areas.
–
With short term let guest nights up 10.2 percent year on year, coastal demand appears underpinned by strong domestic travel habits. Rising hotel costs and a preference for self catering accommodation have also encouraged families and groups to book larger properties, increasing the appeal of seaside homes.
Phil Schofield from Schofields Insurance comments: “Coastal holiday homes remain highly attractive because they combine lifestyle value with income potential.
The fact that short term let stays have risen by over 10 percent year on year shows that domestic demand for UK seaside breaks is still strong.
“At the same time, property values in some seaside towns have softened slightly, which may create opportunity for buyers.
“However, coastal homes come with unique considerations such as exposure to extreme weather, higher guest turnover and periods when the property is unoccupied.
“Owners should ensure their property is properly protected so they can focus on maximising both enjoyment and returns.”
