Investing in a holiday home may sound like a bit of a pipe dream but, with the right level of time, dedication and research, it can be a lot easier to do than you might think. However, one of the biggest stumbling blocks many people face when searching for their ideal holiday home is where exactly to view properties.
Whether you’re a bigger fan of beachside homes, city centre apartments or secluded rural houses, with such a wide variety of properties to choose between, it can be difficult to not only know which type of property is right for you, but where to look when you do.
So, with this in mind, we thought we’d lend a helping hand. In this article, join us as we take a detailed look at some of the best areas around the UK to invest in a holiday home. We will highlight where we think you should go, depending on what exactly it is you’re looking for.
Brighton and Hove, Sussex
If you’re looking for a holiday home in a traditional English city, look no further than Brighton & Hove. Offering excellent transport links both in and out of London, Brighton is well-renowned for its stunning coastline and enigmatic pier. Bordering Hove, the city is also surrounded by the South Downs National Park – more than 3,000 kilometres-worth of peaceful English countryside with rolling hills and expansive panoramic views.
However, buying a holiday home here isn’t particularly cheap. In fact, according to Love Money, Brighton is one of the most expensive cities you can live in the UK. With that said, there is a more than healthy buy-to-let potential here so, if you’re looking for somewhere that you can let out but live in when you need to, it could be a great choice of area for you.
rightmove reports that properties in Brighton and Hove had an overall average price of £473,943 over the last year and that the majority of sales during the last year were flats, selling for an average price of £337,379.
Roedean, Brighton, 7 Bedrooms
This large and attractive detached family home is situated in what is considered to be one of Brighton's most prestigious addresses, benefiting from spectacular uninterrupted panoramic sea views with an impressive south-facing balcony and a large rear garden.
view properties in brighton and hove
Woolacombe, Devon
Situated along the North Devon coast, Woolacombe is home to one of the best beaches in the world, famed for its surfing and safe swimming areas. Therefore, if you're looking to invest in a holiday home where you can enjoy a wide variety of water sports during the summer months, Woolacombe could be the ideal place for you.
Offering paddle boarding, kayaking and coasteering, there are also a number of great pubs, cafés and restaurants available within the lively village, located along the stunning South West Coastal Path between Morte Point and Baggy Point. A bonus to purchasing property in Devon is that it can be a lot less expensive than certain other coastal areas in the UK. However, always remember to get a survey carried out when looking for potential properties, especially with the flood risk that many areas in Devon are associated with.
According to rightmove, properties in Woolacombe had an overall average price of £457,154 over the last year and overall, sold prices were 5% up on the previous year and 9% up on the 2018 peak of £420,794.
York, Yorkshire
A destination for history lovers, York is a small English city that really does incorporate everything that’s great about being British. Featuring the historic shambles market, a haunted heritage, the world-famous Yorkypud and more pubs per square metre than you can count, this city certainly holds a lot of appeal when it comes to looking for holiday homes.
Plus, with bothe the Peak District and Leeds a short drive away, there’s always plenty to see and do during a trip up the M1. This provides the city with great holiday let and Airbnb potential. House prices are also relatively inexpensive in York as well, with the average coming in at around £295,000.
Crockey Hill, York, 6 Bedrooms
An established equestrian property perfectly named The Stables has been lovingly converted from Wigman Hall's outbuildings into the spacious and dynamic six-bedroom home. Perfectly situated for the commuter, 5 miles from York City centre, on a regular bus route. In the area there is Queen Margaret's private school for Girls, Fulford High School rated outstanding from Ofsted as well as being set into a magnificent 11.5 acres of woodland and various paddocks plus a large six-stable horse barn.
Isle Of Wight, Hampshire
Sitting 5 miles off Hampshire's coast, the Isle of Wight has long been a favourite of UK holiday destinations since the Victorian era. Home to a number of famous poets, musicians and artists, the Isle of Wight can be accessed via catamaran, hovercraft and ferry from various ports along the South Coast of England and features a wide array of activities to enjoy.
From the Blackgang Chine theme park to Ventnor beach, while the island may be small in size, it certainly makes up for that with the character and, more importantly, the number of holiday homes it has available. On average, house prices in the Isle of Wight tend to fluctuate at around £300,000, although there has recently been a rise in these figures over the last year or so.
St Lawrence, Isle of Wight, 3 Bedrooms
With this property the dream of a possible change of lifestyle and a slower pace of life could become a reality. Gadshill is a delightful, detached house originally built in 1925. It has been totally renovated and refurbished within the past few years and incorporates a new roof, new plumbing, electrics, boiler, kitchen and bathroom and all the walls have been replastered and redecorated. Also included with the property is a separate building that houses the local village post office and general store. This has also been revamped by the owners who have been running it for the past seven years.
Happy hunting!
Finding your ideal UK-based holiday home can be a tricky decision with a number of caveats and considerations to make along the way. However, by identifying the ideal location you would like to live in first – as our suggestions above should help you with – you should be able to make the process a whole lot easier to handle.
Are you looking for your dream holiday home, or permanent residence in a beautiful location? Contact you local Fine & Country agent today to start your search.