UK's most expensive seaside town with million-pound mansions and white sand beach

City-dwellers dreaming of coastal escapes during the sweltering summer heat want to think twice before setting their sights on Sandbanks.

The exclusive Dorset enclave has once again been named the most expensive seaside town in the UK, with property prices soaring well above the million-pound mark.

According to new figures released by Rightmove, the average asking price for a home in Sandbanks is now £1,282,565 - making it the only seaside location in Britain where average house prices break the £1 million barrier. That figure is more than three times the UK average of £378,240.

Despite the eye-watering price tag, the data also reveals that even Sandbanks hasn't been immune to the wider market downturn. Prices in the coastal hotspot have dipped three percent compared to 2024. But that hasn't dented buyer interest.

“Sandbanks now stands out as the only seaside spot with an average asking price of over the million-pound mark,” said Colleen Babcock, property expert at Rightmove.

The figures reflect a broader trend as buyer demand is up eight percent in the UK’s most desirable coastal areas, even as prices drop. Across the top 50 most expensive seaside towns, average asking prices have fallen one per cent year-on-year.

Long established as Britain’s answer to Monte Carlo, Sandbanks’ allure lies in its rare mix of golden beaches, luxury properties, and close proximity to London.

Nestled on a tiny peninsula at the mouth of Poole Harbour, the town boasts some of the most coveted real estate in the country - and it’s a magnet for celebrities.

Harry Redknapp, Karl Pilkington, and Liam Gallagher are among the A-listers believed to own homes in the area, which is known for its upscale dining, sleek modern builds, and sweeping views of the Jurassic Coast.

Just two miles up the road, the nearby neighbourhood of Canford Cliffs also made the list, claiming the second most expensive coastal town spot.

Properties there command an average price of £974,635, despite a nine per cent drop from last year.

In third place is Milford-on-Sea, a picture-postcard village in Hampshire, where buyers can expect to pay around £728,460 on average.

While the south coast dominates the luxury end of the market, bargain-hunters should look north.

The most affordable seaside town in the UK, according to Rightmove, is Saltcoats in Ayrshire, where average asking prices are less than a quarter of a million pounds - well below the national average.

Other budget-friendly options include Peterlee in County Durham, further underlining the North-South divide when it comes to coastal property prices.

“Lower-priced seaside spots like Saltcoats and Peterlee offer home-movers a sea view at a fraction of the price,” Babcock said.