For those dreaming of waking up to sea views, rolling sands and quaint harbours, these four places in Wales could be an ideal place for a new home.
The Sunday Times has put together a list of some of the best coastal places to live in the UK, with some of Wales' most well-loved spots making the cut. While some of them may be better known as holiday destinations, the newspaper has looked at everything from house prices to local amenities and history to compile a list of some of Britain's best coastal towns and villages. And with more and more people working from home, and nowhere in the UK being more than 70 miles from the coast, perhaps now is the time to take the plunge.
But those looking to live the holiday lifestyle all year long should expect to pay for the privilege, with the newspaper reporting figures from Savills estate agency that homes within 100m of the coast cost an average of over 20% higher than similar properties inland.
Read more: 'We need answers now': The second homes crisis in the part of Wales worst hit
As well as this, with second homes becoming a real pinch point in some parts of Wales, potential buyers could face higher council tax premiums and a hollowed-out town for several months of the year. Until April 2023, second homeowners in Gwynedd for example paid 100% extra - or double - the normal council tax rate. This then rose to 150%.
The fee was introduced after tourist hotspots including Abersoch on the Llyn peninsula saw the rising price of houses driven by people looking for second homes, in turn making it difficult for people to buy homes in the area. See more on the issue here. But for people willing to pay a bit extra to chase the coastal lifestyle, then some of these options may be a good place to start, according to The Sunday Times.
1. Penarth
For those not quite ready to completely down tools and head for the beach, Penarth in The Vale of Glamorgan could be an option. Just five miles from Cardiff, the smart town is described as "a place for those who like to get outdoors while keeping the city close at hand". Whether it be mooching through the independent shops and cafes, dining out at Michelin-starred restaurants, or taking a walk down the pier for a seaside staple of fish and chips, Penarth could be a great stop-gap for those looking for leafy surroundings with the city just 15 minutes away by train.
But a home here won't come cheap with the average house prices reported as being around £418,000. For those with money to spare, the newspaper says Marine Parade is the address to look out for. Just set back from the sea, the street was owned by 19th century shipping tycoons who built imposing mansions so they could watch their ships returning to port. These go for around £2m in today's market.
2. Tenby
Perhaps Wales' most well-known and loved coastal holiday hotspots, it is impossible to mistake Tenby's colourful Georgian houses, harbour and castle walls. And it's no surprise that it has been named one of the best coastal towns in Wales to live, with more than a fair few people having fantasised about residing there year-round.
Whether it be relaxing on one of the town's three beaches, spending an afternoon in one of the brilliant beer gardens, or people-watching from a cafe as half of Wales descends on the town, it's easy to imagine a life there. But according to The Times, Tenby’s popularity is down to much more than "sand castles and eye-candy".
"There’s something for everyone and so much to do, which is why it’s always such a coveted place to live," Carol Peett, owner of West Wales Property Finders, a home-finding service told the newspaper. But for those looking for a quieter coastal retreat perhaps some parts of Tenby may not be the best place, with the cobbled streets inside the castle walls getting very busy in peak months. Average house prices in what has to be one of Wales' most desirable are around £376,500 but rising to upwards of £1m for the grandest townhouses.
3. Barmouth
Not many seaside towns can boast a backdrop to match Barmouth, where the sandy beaches meet the incredible landscape of Eryri. Disrupted by the jaw-dropping viaduct that travels the Mawddach estuary, this coastal gem in Gwynedd could be a good place to pitch up for those looking to be within easy access of Wales' highest peaks and its tranquil seas.
Whether it's spotting dolphins in Cardigan Bay, or travelling inland to scale Snowdon, this could be the perfect spot to set up home and enjoy the natural wonders of Wales. However, the town also embraces its history of being a well-known tourist seaside destination, embracing the arcades and candy floss, while having a lot more to it than that.
Anyone looking to make a base slap bang in the middle of some of Wales best features should expect to pay more than the caravans on the revered campsites, with the average home in the area costing around £310,000. Barmouth is also in Gwynedd so it's worth thinking about the council tax hike if it is to be a second home.
4. Solva
It may have been named as one of Wales' poshest villages, but the popularity of Solva is showing no sign of slowing down. In deepest west Wales, the quintessential village is the perfect place for those looking for a quieter pace of life but with the buzz of a real community. With a population of just over 600 people, newbies will soon find their way around the picture postcard village. In January 2023 The Times said that Solva was "popular with the posh fashion crowd who can do without the crush in Cornwall". While the village has the long harbour, which snakes its way from the grey sand at the foot of the village all the way to the raging sea, the lime kilns and fishing boats remind you that Solva was - and still is - first and foremost a working harbour.
Whether prospective buyers are looking for an old cottage beside the river in the lower half of the village or something more modern in Upper Solva which boasts TV personality Carol Vorderman as a resident, then the average home could set you back around £335,000.
