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Incredible UK seaside resort loved by Brits where house prices plunge to £193k
Despite stunning mountain views, award-winning beaches, and a classic seaside charm - one particular region has seen property prices decrease more than anywhere else in the UK
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One of the UK's most beautiful seaside resorts is a magical melting pot of lush mountains and Carribean-esque beaches. With endless natural beauty and a vintage coastal charm, you would expect houses in the county of Gwynedd, Wales, to have skyrocketed - becoming a mere fantasy unless you're a secret millionaire.
But, according to Reach's Data Unit, 2024 house prices in the region averaged out at just £193,000 - a whopping 5.2 per cent decrease compared to the year before (£203,000). This marks the biggest drop in the entirety of the UK, and is significantly lower than the UK average (£267,700) - not to mention more than half the cost of a home in London (£543,000).
Gwynedd is home to the renowned Barmouth Beach, a Blue Flag shore that has a stellar reputation for remaining clean and unspoilt. It's a proper tourist magnet, but due to its vast size means you'll never have to rub shoulders with strangers while sunbathing. The sand is gold and soft, the water clear, and you get a stunning backdrop of Cardigan Bay and the picturesque harbour. If you're feeling brave, this area is a great place to go for a dip or try your hand at water sports such as surfing.
Barmouth Beach is seriously stunning - and never feels too crowded (Image:
Getty Images)The beach is located in the popular town of Abermaw. This destination has kept that nostalgically British seaside feel that has slowly been eradicated from struggling coastal resorts. It is filled with amusement arcades, fish and chip shops, and ice cream vans - there are also donkey rides on the shore, and a land train that runs along the promenade.
"There are several delightful walks of varying distance which start in Barmouth and follow routes into the hills beyond," explains Visit Wales, the country's official tourist board. "At low tide, it is possible to walk all the way to Harlech to the north with wonderful views over Tremadog Bay. The town is located on Route 8 of the National Cycle Network and the traffic-free trail from Barmouth to Dolgellau along the Mawddach Estuary offers spectacular views."
Yasmin and her family used to visit Gwynedd every year (Image:
Daily Mirror)Yasmin Shaheen-Zaffar, a relationship and trauma counsellor, has enjoyed many summers in Gwynedd. Back in 2011, her partner purchased a second home in Nefyn, a seaside town on the northwest coast of the Llŷn Peninsula, for £345,000. It's an hour's drive away from Barmouth Beach, but boasts its own secluded sands and breathtaking vistas.
She describes the region as 'idyllic' - and it's easy to see why (Image:
Daily Mirror)"At the time, my daughter was eight so we've had idyllic holidays throughout the school holidays while she was growing up," Yasmin said in an exclusive interview with the Mirror. "It's literally 100 steps I know because I've counted from the coast. I love the area, the walks, the sea air, and the local businesses... There are some great small businesses, bakeries, and coffee shops [around]."
Yasmin's second home was just 100 steps from the coast (Image:
Daily Mirror) She sponsored two Ukrainian refugees who lived in the home for two years (Image:
Daily Mirror)Yasmin used to go for walks along the beautiful coast over to the Nefyn Golf Club, before heading up to see the nearby lighthouse. "After lockdown, as my daughter really didn't want to spend time hanging out with her folks, I sponsored three Ukrainian artists who lived there for two years â¦" the counsellor added. "They have now become independent and we've put the house on the market as it's the end of a chapter. I would recommend [Gwynedd to] people if you want peace quiet, genuine people, and a quieter life. There's lots of creatives around Gwynedd with some amazing art galleries, and a sense of creative community."
Yasmin blames dropping house prices on recent council tax changes (Image:
Daily Mirror)When asked why house prices may have fallen in the region, Yasmin pointed the blame at the hike in council tax premiums for holiday homes. Back in 2013, the council tax premium for second homes was increased from 100 per cent to 150 per cent - as local authority Cyngor Gwynedd pledged to spend the money on tackling homelessness. The move resulted in the number of second homes in Gwynned falling by five per cent, but aimed to make homes more affordable for younger local people.
In theory, this has worked. The average price paid by first-time buyers was £167,000 in December 2024. This marks a 4.7 per cent decrease compared to the average of £175,000 the year before.
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Writer Jennifer Han moved to Gwynedd before the hikes, and has resided in the medieval town of Caernarfon for five years now. Speaking to the Mirror, she raved about the area's 'wonderful combination of stunning natural scenery and strong community bonds'. "The mix of mountains, beaches, and historical elements transforms everyday life into something truly extraordinary," she added.
Jennifer recommends living in Gwynedd if you prefer a 'slower, peaceful pace of life'. However, she warns its far-out location, which allows for such stunning scenery, can sometimes feel a little 'distant' from the rest of the UK. Still, she says it's an 'ideal home for those who value natural surroundings along with cultural offerings and close community bonds'.
However, not all parts of Gwynned are so fondly spoken of. Last year, the city of Bangor was voted the worst seaside resort in the UK. In a survey of 4,700 Brits, many respondents snubbed the area - arguing it had become 'run down' and 'drab'. Despite the scathing poll, plans to help regenerate the city centre are already underway, including a new £30 million health and wellbeing hub.
Many locals were also enraged by the unwanted title, including Branwen Jones, a journalist at Wales Online, who argued thousands of respondents had completely misunderstood the city. You can read her column here. Visit Wales has also praised Bangor, stating it combines 'fascinating history with a modern vibe' due to its student population. "And the setting between Eryri (Snowdonia) mountains and glistening waters of the Menai Strait couldn't be more spectacular," the tourist board added.
*House prices based on data from the Land Registry. Smaller breakdowns of UK regions can be found here.
What's your favourite seaside resort? Let us know in the comments section below
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