The average asking price of a beach hut across Britain’s most sought-after coastal hotspots has changed
The great beach hut boom sparked by the Covid pandemic is continuing to evolve, say experts. New research shows the average asking price of a beach hut across Britain’s most sought-after coastal hotspots has dropped by 9.8% over the past year, following an even steeper 19.6% fall the year before.
The biggest annual price falls have been recorded in West Sussex, where asking prices – you can see full information below – have plunged 35.1% in the past year alone. Norfolk saw the second-largest decline at 13%, followed by Essex (12.2%), Hampshire (12%), Kent (5.5%) and East Sussex (2.9%). Only Dorset and Suffolk bucked the national trend, recording annual increases of 2.8% and 6.6% respectively.
The figures from estate agency Yopa suggest the frenzied demand seen after lockdowns has finally subsided, as buyers become more cautious about big-ticket lifestyle purchases. Despite the recent slump, beach hut owners who bought before the pandemic are still sitting on healthy gains, with average values remaining 7% higher than in 2022.
The market enjoyed an extraordinary surge immediately after Covid restrictions were lifted, with prices rocketing 37.1% in the year after the final lockdown before climbing another 7.9% the following year. But as higher borrowing costs and weaker confidence have cooled the wider housing market, beach huts have not escaped the slowdown.
Beach hut price changes
County – Annual change
- West Sussex a change of -35.1% (-£11,600) to a total of £21,444
- Norfolk a change of -13.0% (-£2,508) to a total of £16,743
- Essex a change of -12.2% (-£5,580) to a total of £40,298
- Hampshire a change of -12.0% (-£3,928) to a total of £28,727
- Kent a change of -5.5% (-£2,414) to a total of £41,247
- East Sussex a change of -2.9% (-£889) to a total of £29,895
- Dorset a change of +2.8% (£2,892) to a total of £105,343
- Suffolk a change of +6.6% (£1,720) to a total of £27,676
Even after two years of declines, some areas remain well ahead of where they were before the pandemic buying spree. Dorset has enjoyed the strongest long-term growth, with asking prices still 71% higher than in 2022. West Sussex remains 31% above pre-boom levels, while Essex (15%) and East Sussex (14%) have also held onto much of their gains.
Only Norfolk, Hampshire and Suffolk are now below their 2022 average asking prices. The research reflects the extraordinary premiums buyers have been willing to pay for beach huts in recent years.
Earlier this year, a beach hut at Mudeford Spit in Dorset was marketed for around £485,000 despite having no running water or mains electricity, while huts at Southwold in Suffolk and Bournemouth have also regularly commanded prices well into six figures.
At the top end of the market, prime huts at Whitstable in Kent and Frinton-on-Sea in Essex have also sold for sums comparable with the cost of a family home in many parts of Britain.
Verona Frankish, chief executive of Yopa, said: “The beach hut market experienced the same surge in demand that we saw across the wider housing market in the wake of the pandemic, as buyers placed far greater value on lifestyle purchases and making the most of the UK’s coastline.
“Whilst demand for beach huts remains strong, they’re ultimately a discretionary purchase and, with confidence across the wider property market remaining somewhat subdued, it’s no surprise that we’ve seen values ease over the last couple of years.
“That doesn’t mean the market has lost its appeal. In fact, values remain higher than they were before the post-pandemic boom, meaning many owners have still enjoyed healthy long-term growth.
“For buyers, however, the recent correction presents an opportunity. After two years of falling prices across much of the market, there is far better value available today than there has been for some time, making it an attractive point to invest ahead of the next phase of the market cycle.”
