Nationwide customers 'living within three miles' set to handed up to £67,000

Houses in national parks in England and Wales sell for 25 per cent more, a study has found. Nationwide, the UK's largest building society, found the New Forest the most expensive of the 13 parks in England and Wales.

Nationwide said properties in a national park enjoy a valuation almost £67,000 more than a similar property elsewhere, based on the average UK house price of £266,640. “National parks continue to be highly desirable areas to live in, thanks to the beautiful countryside,” said Andrew Harvey, a senior economist at Nationwide.

“Those living in such areas are ideally placed to make the most of the great outdoors and take advantage of a range of activities and amenities. Development is also controlled with limited new housing construction, which also helps to explain why house prices tend to be relatively high.”

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Nationwide also found there was a “fringe benefit” for properties within 3 miles of a national park, with values about 7% more expensive than homes further away. “These areas include some highly desirable locations and the premium is likely to reflect the continued attractiveness of rural areas and the associated lifestyle,” said Harvey. “While not as well known as national parks, these are desirable places to live and as such tend to see relatively high house prices.”

The average cost of a house in selected national parks shows New Forest – £576,000 - in top spot followed by South Downs – £400,000 - in second place and then Peak District – £375,000 - in third. Yorkshire Dales – £353,000 - was fourth.

In fifth was Lake District – £333,000, ahead of Dartmoor – £310,000 - in sixth position, while Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) – £274,000 - came next, followed by Eryri (Snowdonia) – £173,000 - which completed the study from Nationwide this week.