The average asking price of a house with a sea view in Broadstairs, Kent, has jumped by £128,943 since 2019, reaching £528,280 in 2026, according to Rightmove. This 32% increase outpaces the national average of 22% for British properties during the same period.
Broadstairs ranks third in UK sea view premium
Broadstairs is now the area with the third highest sea view premium in the UK, with buyers paying an average £128,943 extra for a coastal view. Only West Mersea in Essex (£222,294 premium) and Frinton-on-Sea in Essex (£130,699 premium) have higher premiums. The South East region is now the most expensive for sea view properties, with average asking prices at £416,375.
Colleen Babcock, Rightmove’s property expert, said: “A sea view has long been seen as one of the most desirable features a home can offer, and our latest analysis shows buyers are willing to pay a significant premium for one.”
London exodus fuels demand
A total of 420,500 people moved out of London to other parts of Britain in the year to mid-2025, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This migration has driven up prices in seaside towns within easy reach of the capital. Broadstairs is 72 miles from South East London, about 90 minutes by car or 1 hour 47 minutes by train from London Victoria, with one-way tickets from £13.20.
Beaches and attractions draw buyers
Broadstairs is home to Viking Bay, described as “one of the best beaches in the UK.” The horseshoe-shaped sandy beach features vibrant beach huts, donkey rides, a surf school, and a tidal pool. The town offers seven sandy beaches along 4.5 miles of coastline, including Botany Bay for fossil hunting and Joss Bay with its dramatic chalk cliffs and Kingsgate Castle. Independent bars, cafes, and restaurants thrive, along with attractions such as Morelli's Gelato, Dickens House Museum, Revolution Skatepark, and Crampton Tower Museum.
Sea view properties outperform national market
The average asking price for a sea view home in Britain rose to £298,810 in 2026, up from £235,635 in 2019 – a 27% increase. This compares with a 22% national average rise for all properties. Rightmove’s analysis shows that while prestigious coastal locations command the highest prices, growth is also notable in more affordable areas.
Top 10 sea view premium locations
The locations with the biggest sea view premiums are: West Mersea, Essex (£222,294, 51% increase); Frinton-on-Sea, Essex (£130,699, 36%); Broadstairs, Kent (£128,943, 32%); Littlehampton, West Sussex (£120,696, 32%); Newquay, Cornwall (£95,993, 29%); Exmouth, Devon (£96,469, 27%); Worthing, West Sussex (£99,262, 27%); Ryde, Isle of Wight (£70,073, 25%); Penzance, Cornwall (£69,553, 21%); and Boscombe, Dorset (£57,469, 20%).
