Properties located within UK national parks command a 24% price premium compared to similar homes elsewhere, according to research from Nationwide Building Society. The study also found buyers pay a 6% premium for homes within three miles of a national park boundary.
The New Forest remains the most expensive national park for property purchases, with average prices reaching £563,000. The South Downs follows at £485,000, while the Peak District averages £450,000.
Supply constraints drive prices
Nationwide attributed the sustained premiums to restricted development within national parks, where construction of new housing is limited by planning regulations. This supply constraint, combined with demand for countryside locations, maintains relatively high property values in these protected areas.
The research mirrors findings from similar studies examining period properties listed across England and Scotland, where location and scarcity influence pricing dynamics.
National landscapes show 14% premium
Properties in England and Wales’ national landscapes, formerly designated as areas of outstanding natural beauty, command a 14% premium. Surrey Hills tops this category with average prices of £710,000. The area, designated in 1958, covers approximately a quarter of Surrey and houses around 40,000 residents in villages including Shere, Mickleham and Westhumble.
The premiums have remained stable year-on-year, with 2024 research showing national park properties at a 25% premium and national landscape homes 15% higher than comparable properties elsewhere.
Market implications
The consistent pricing differential suggests sustained demand for properties in protected landscapes, despite broader market fluctuations. While some sectors face challenges, including regulatory pressure affecting landlords, national park locations appear to maintain their appeal to buyers.
The data indicates that proximity to protected countryside continues to be a significant pricing factor in the UK housing market, with buyers willing to pay substantial premiums for locations offering natural amenity and development restrictions that limit future housing supply.
