Research by online property portal Rightmove has revealed the UK's top 10 coastal property hot spots and one Welsh location appears third in the list.
According to Rightmove, across all seaside locations in Great Britain, asking prices are up 13.9% on average compared to last year, outpacing the national average of 9.9%.
The company states that the main driver for this rush to the sea is the Covid-19 pandemic. It has been a catalyst for many people to decide to act now on their dream of moving to the coast. Find out more and the top 10 of coastal hot spots here.
READ MORE: The Welsh seaside town where house prices have increased by 22% in a year
The company goes on to say that the average time to find a buyer in a seaside location is 33 days and, on average, homes are finding buyers nearly three weeks (20 days) quicker than in 2021.
Of the 10 coastal hotspots revealed, only one Welsh location is present on the list; Abergele in the county of Conwy is listed as the third highest location for an increase in the year-on-year average asking price.
Rightmove's data reveals that the popular town, made even more famous by ITV's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! being based at Gwrych Castle on the fringes of the town for two years, has seen a 22% rise in the average asking price.
This has increased the average asking price to £234,000 which is slightly higher than Wales' national average which, according to the Principality Building Society, currently stands at £233,361.
According to Conwy County Council, in 2018 the town and adjacent Pensarn Beach had a population of 11,100. But for a small town it has a good range of properties for sale, from sprawling country homes on the fringes to renovation projects in town and by the beach looking for a refresh. And if you're looking for more space, Abergele probably has something to suit you too.
Town terrace: OIRO £145,000
If you want the town centre just moments away from the front door and a characterful home but you have a more modest budget, this stone terraced home might look very tempting.
The lounge has the hoped-for fireplace, this one an exposed stone example, then past the stairs gets you to the kitchen which has delightful ceiling beams, an exposed brick wall and arguably enough space for a cute bistro table and two chairs.
The next doorway gets you to a separate space for the washing machine, plus a door into the bathroom, and the back door then leads you out into the surprisingly large garden. Upstairs there are two bedrooms with the master having a handy ensuite.
The terrace in town is for sale for offers in the region of £145,000 with estate agents Prys Jones & Booth, call the Abergele branch on 01745 823897 to find out more.
Reno by the beach: £170,000
The estate agent selling this 'frozen in time' home states it offers an opportunity to 'put your own stamp' on it, and the thought of renovating this coastal abode should excite many people as it is within easy walking distance of the award-winning Pensarn beach.
But before you trot along to the sand with your bucket and spade, there's work to be done inside this detached, two bedroom bungalow, situated on a popular residential road.
For lovers of vintage retro interior design, the discovery of the original kitchen is going to be a rare and exciting find. For people who don't love it - don't skip it because it has a value since retro interiors are one of the hottest interior trends in 2022, find out more about that here.
The seaside 1970s home being sold with no onward chain is on the market for £170,000 with estate agents Prys Jones & Booth, call the Abergele branch on 01745 823897 to find out more.
Reno in town: £235,000
If space is needed but the budget doesn't match the need, then a renovation project might be the answer, and this semi has got value that can be added, as well as a handy town centre location.
Inside, the proportions of the spaces are impressive, with a character packed hall leading to a front lounge with bay window and then a dining room that leads into a conservatory. Who knows what treasure is lurking under the carpets - hopefully some period tiles or wood block flooring?
But there's more work to do here than just pondering about the floors - this house has four bedrooms (one of which has a dressing room), a bathroom, and a kitchen with utility room and cloakroom to contemplate updating. Plus there are period features such as fireplaces and picture rails to restore that all add charm to this abode.
But it will be worth it, as you'll be left with a spacious family dream home with the interior design and layout of your dreams, and maybe in the location of your dreams, with the town and the beach within walking distance. The semi with the space is on the market for £235,000 with Peter Large estate agents, call their Abergele office on 01745 825511 to find out more.
Chapel conversion: £240,000
A hidden gem within the heart of the town, this two bedroom home forms part of the converted Salem Chapel, which was completed about four years ago.
The home has a private, secret courtyard that creates a hidden haven away from the busy surrounding town and inside, the duplex mews home has had a stylish makeover creating a contemporary abode within a characterful stone skin.
The property is an 'upside-down' home, with the two sleeping zones and bathroom on the ground floor and then stairs take you to the main event on the first floor - an open-plan room that is a perfect socialising space.
The modern space has been dressed to perfection but there's character here to complement the staging, from the ceiling beam to the beautiful arched windows. The addition of the log burner makes it a cosy space in winter, the open-plan layout creates a light and uplifting space in summer.
The estate agent states that there is further potential to extend into the loft with architectural drawings available and that the chapel would suit anyone wanting privacy but to still be in the heart of the town's activities and facilities. Plus, the beach is only about a mile away.
The slice of a period chapel is on the market for £240,000 with Peter Large estate agents, call their Abergele office on 01745 825511 to find out more.
Three-storey semi: £299,950
This five bedroom home can offer original character features as well as a stylish contemporary interior design - a combination that is, for many people, a total winner.
The large, imposing, late Victorian three-storey house scores more points on location, just moments from the town centre and Pentre Mawr Park, and on a street packed full of distinctive period properties.
The agent says the house has undergone a comprehensive program of renovation works, carried out by the current vendors, which included a new kitchen, new bathroom, and damp prevention works.
Then there was a complete decorative overhaul, during which the vendors have sympathetically retained a wealth of period features and thankfully off-street parking for added convenience.
So the hard work has been done, the only challenge is to then decide how to use each room, with so much space on offer. The Victorian villa is for sale for £299,950 with McCoubrey Cooke, call the Abergele office on 01745 403806 for further details.
Georgian-style modern: £485,000
This detached Georgian-style modern property is tucked away along a quiet cul-de-sac and yet only about a five-minute walk to the centre of the town.
As well as a pillared entrance and a visually pleasing symmetrical facade, the home has space to suit a family, with four bedrooms and two bathrooms, and a generous open-plan living and dining space.
For any members of the family that want some peace there are options too, with a separate reception room at the front of the house and the addition of a sizeable conservatory at the rear.
The low maintenance garden has fantastic open space behind it and it can be viewed and appreciated from the surprise roof terrace found on top of the garage, which also has a workshop. The detached house is for sale for £485,000 with estate agents Prys Jones & Booth, call the Abergele branch on 01745 823897 to find out more.
Views and land: £585,000
If a mesmerising view is top of your Abergele house hunting list then coming out of the centre of town and finding the nearest hill is the best choice, just as this house on the hillside has done.
From its front windows, and especially from its elevated garden deck, the view across the rooftops of Abergele to the coast and sea is special.
According to the estate agent this three bed cottage dates back to the 1800s and has been carefully extended and renovated to provide versatile family size accommodation with two reception rooms, a modern fitted kitchen with utility, a master suite with ensuite, plus two further bedrooms and a home office.
The cottage may look out over a more urban setting before it reaches the sea, but it is a country cottage at heart. The home is approached via a bridle track which has the benefit of permanent right of way and has an electric gate that opens to the large parking area and driveway to impress you even before you get inside the home.
The surrounding land extends to approximately two acres and incorporates a paddock, large gardens, double garage, workshop and stone outbuildings. Called Hilltop Cottage, the home is for sale for offers in excess of £585,000 with Peter Large estate agents, call their Abergele office on 01745 825511 to find out more.
Renovated farmhouse: £1.195m
Just a mile or so out of the town gets you sweeping countryside views, a converted farmhouse and some very charming stone outbuildings.
Called Nant Ganol, the heart of this property package is an impressive farmhouse constructed of attractive stone under a slate roof that offers a compelling mix of period charm and uplifting open spaces, with parts of the building dating back to the 18th century.
The inside is rather lovely too, having been subject to a restoration project which included sand blasting the original trusses and oak beams. An extension has been added to create a sun lounge, with double doors opening onto the sun terrace in this house that seems to attract the best of the sun's rays in all of its rooms.
Maybe that's because the three bed, three bathroom home is surrounded by gently undulating countryside with about eight acres of it owned by the property. Within the land are four additional buildings, with one being utilised as a utility room with electricity and water, and a substantial gymnasium and workshop.
What was once the bakery opposite the house is now a spacious storeroom whilst the larger outbuilding, the agent says, has planning permission to be converted into four bedroom holiday home accommodation.
Nant Ganol is on the market for £1,195,000 with estate agent Coast Marina Properties, call them on 01492 580 500 for more details. And if you want to read more about the best dream homes in Wales, renovation stories, house prices and interiors then join the Amazing Welsh Homes newsletter which is sent out to your inbox twice a week.
