UK National Park Homes Command 24% Price Premium, Nationwide Study Finds

LONDON: Properties located within the United Kingdom’s national parks command an average price premium of 24% compared with similar homes elsewhere, according to a study by Nationwide, highlighting the growing value attached to protected countryside locations.

The research found that buyers also pay an average 6% premium for properties situated within three miles of a national park. Nationwide attributed the higher prices partly to the appeal of scenic rural environments and partly to restrictions on development, which limit the supply of new housing in protected areas.

The New Forest emerged as the most expensive of the UK’s national parks, with the average property price reaching £563,000. It was followed by the South Downs, where homes averaged £485,000, and the Peak District, with an average price of £450,000.

The study also examined properties in England and Wales’ national landscapes, formerly known as areas of outstanding natural beauty. Homes in these areas carried an average premium of 14% compared with properties elsewhere.

Surrey Hills was identified as the most expensive national landscape, with average property prices of approximately £710,000. The area, which was designated in 1958 and covers around a quarter of Surrey, is home to about 40,000 people, largely in villages and rural hamlets.

Nationwide said the premiums have remained relatively stable in recent years. Its previous research in 2024 found that properties in national parks attracted a 25% premium, while homes in national landscapes were around 15% more expensive.

The findings underline the strong demand for homes offering access to protected natural landscapes, while also highlighting how planning restrictions and limited housing supply can contribute to substantially higher property prices in some of Britain’s most sought-after rural areas.