Environment & Climate
Properties in UK national parks carry 24% price premium, Nationwide study finds
A study by Britain's largest building society shows restricted housing development and countryside appeal continue to drive up home values in protected areas.
The short version
- A study by Nationwide shows that properties located within UK national parks cost an average of 24% more than similar homes in other areas.
- The New Forest is the most expensive national park to live in, with average home prices reaching £563,000.
- Limited development and strict planning rules in protected zones restrict new construction, keeping prices high.
Key facts
- Research by Nationwide indicates that properties inside UK national parks carry an average 24% price premium, while homes within three miles of a park carry a 6% premium.[The Guardian]
- The New Forest is the UK's most expensive national park for housing, averaging £563,000, followed by the South Downs at £485,000 and the Peak District at £450,000.[The Guardian]
- Properties located within official national landscapes of England and Wales carry an average 14% price premium, led by the Surrey Hills with average prices of £710,000.[The Guardian]
- Nationwide attributes the sustained high prices to the combination of countryside appeal and strict planning policies that restrict new home construction in these areas.[The Guardian]
Sources
- Properties in UK national parks command 24% premium, study findsThe Guardian - World