Living on the edge

But it is not just areas of architectural interest that require an increased budget when you are looking to invest. Britain’s coastline runs to 19,500 miles – 31,368km according to the Ordnance Survey and reported in The Telegraph – but not all of it can be built on, which is why homes by the sea, and water in general, command a premium.

Homes with a sea view in the Suffolk port town of Felixstowe are 57% more expensive than those whose windows are turned inland, according to Rightmove, and in Hove, a sea view is worth £481,826 – on top of the price of the house. Perhaps that’s not surprising when you consider that only 7% of all properties built by the coast actually have a view of the sea.

Up hill and down dale

If that puts the coast out of reach, how about living in a national park? There are 15 to choose from, if you include the Broads, which has ‘equivalent status’, from the Cairngorms down to Dartmoor. Here, though, the story is much the same. Analysis by Knight Frank found that properties in the New Forest were, on average, 53% more expensive than those sitting within 5km of the park edge. Expect to pay premiums of 46.1% and 40.3% respectively to set up home in the Lake District or South Downs.

It’s not all bad news, though. Head for the Dales, which is likely to see a resurgence in interest as Channel 5 continues airing new episodes of All Creatures Great and Small, much of which was filmed in the park’s market town of Grassington, and homes are just 1.2% higher than those in the surrounding area. Or head north, to Northumberland, where properties are, conversely, 15.3% below average once you enter the park.

Practical considerations

Aside from costs and an influx of visitors as Britons continue to holiday at home, there is another important consideration when buying in an area of special interest: what changes you can make once the sale completes?

Any change you make to the outside of your home will have to fit in with its surroundings. Any breach, and you could be denied permission, or be forced to undo the change. British law recognises the concept of ‘permitted rights’, which allows some work to be undertaken without first applying for planning permission, but these are restricted in so-called designated areas, which include, among others, national parks and areas of outstanding national beauty.

Approach any purchase in an area of special interest with your eyes open, beware of possible restrictions and make sure your budget is adequate. Most of all, though, make sure the home you are buying really is what you’re after, as you may not be able to make the amendments you could if you had spent your money somewhere less ‘special’.