Most Brits have spent the past year watching the value of their properties plunge and the prospect of future investment vanish.
But a handful of areas across the country have bucked the trend – with the price of houses located inside Britain’s coveted national parks soaring.
One of the areas with the biggest contrasts between county and park prices is the New Forest where families are willing to pay at least £300,000 extra to live in the park.
Estate agents believe this comes down to three main factors – a disdain for ‘dangerous’ urban areas, strict planning laws and no ‘tacky’ newbuilds.
‘First and foremost obviously you’ve got supply and demand, there’s a lot less properties spread around the forest,’ Neil Flaherty, Managing Director of The New Forest Estate Agents told the Daily Mail.
‘Secondly you’ve got building control, there are a lot less properties being built in the forest, which will in turn feed the supply and demand scenario even further because of planning permission, restrictions and national park rules.
‘Another factor that has instigated an increase in house prices is since Covid people don’t want to be living in built up areas for fear of that kind of scenario being repeated.
‘Immigration, that has also taken a toll, people want to get out of the built up areas where immigration is more apparent.
One of the areas with the biggest contrasts between county and park prices is The New Forest where families are willing to pay a 95.6 per cent premium. Pictured: Beaulieu village in The New Forest
National parks are ruled by their own independent local authorities, who require extremely high levels of planning permission for development. Pictured: A holiday tent in The New Forest
Maya Holcroft, 22, (pictured) said The New Forest is extremely different to the rest of the county
‘And simply and solely most of the properties nowadays, which you find in the forest, have plenty of land around them, it’s holiday land for some, if you can live in it you’re going to pay a premium.’
National parks are ruled by their own independent local authorities, who require extremely high levels of planning permission for development.
This results in the areas appearing quaint, polished and traditional – a look that homeowners believe exudes exclusivity.
‘I’ve lived here 33 years, we originally lived in the main part of Southampton and when my daughter was six months we moved here because it’s a nicer area,’ Shawn Phillips said.
‘At the time where we lived was more congested that’s the issue with urban areas. Whereas here you have a forest on your doorstep. We only ever go back there to go shopping.
‘There were people who thought at the time we were stepping up when we moved. Our home is worth five times what it was the market had gone mad.
‘This is a terrible time to buy but there is a fairly steady turnover here.’
Mr Flaherty explained that houses on the outskirts of the forest can cost in the region of £600,000 to £700,000 and it only goes up from there.
Houses on the outskirts of The New Forest can cost in the region of £600,000 to £700,000 and it only goes up from there
Retiree Derek Lampard, 78, (pictured) believes The New Forest is perfect for all ages
Meanwhile, average house prices in the rest of the county are in the £300,000 range.
‘You’ve got better schooling facilities in comparison to the rest of the area and once you get to the forest you tend to buy a property where by you’re not going to need to move again,’ he added.
Several residents in the area stressed that the ‘fantastic’ schools and community feel makes it a huge draw for families.
Mother of two, Natasha said: ‘I’ve lived here for six years. We wanted to be by the sea and the forest because we have two young children. I
‘It’s a lot better and safer than Southampton. My children can be in a safe enclosed space and obviously it’s a beautiful place to live.
‘Planning permission is strict but it keeps the property value high. I would never live anywhere else, people with families should move here the schools are fantastic.
‘There is a divide between people that live in New Forest and Southampton because it’s a different way of living.
‘We have different values it’s a different environment we can go to the city but it’s nicer here it’s more village-like.’
Homes inside national parks are worth 63 per cent more than the rest of the county and this results in the residents being rather affluent
Shawn Phillips (pictured) moved from Southampton to The New Forest 33 years ago because it was a nicer area
Mark Wilson, 56, agreed: ‘The amazing thing about New Forest is the countryside the ability to get fresh air and quality of living.
‘We have the seaside forest ability to access equestrian facilities the schools here are too.
‘The New Forest is more community minded looking at other places in the UK there seems to be a lack of community.
‘It’s amazing for families, I feel safer here than may other places with my children walking around.’
Homes inside national parks are worth 63 per cent more than the rest of the county and this results in the residents being rather affluent.
‘Generally people living there would be classed as middle-class upwards, which you have to be in order to live out there to be fair,’ Mr Flaherty added.
Meanwhile, national parks also attract a slightly older group, as according to the most recent census, the average age of those living in a national park is higher than in England and Wales.
However, retiree Derek Lampard, 78, believes the area is perfect for all ages.
National parks also attract a slightly older group, as according to the most recent census, the average age of those living in a national park is higher than in England and Wales. Pictured: An aerial view of Lymington in The New Forest
He said: ‘I’ve lived here 15 years, we moved here because our daughter was here.
‘Southampton is more busy, New Forest is more relaxed, it’s good for everybody. It’s safer than the majority of the UK I would encourage people to move here.
‘The house prices in Marchwood, which is where we live, are roughly the same as Southampton but they hold their value better so it’s more of an investment.’
Maya Holcroft, 22, agreed, adding: ‘It’s a good place to grow up you have the forest and the beach is near. There’s a huge difference it’s a lot calmer out here but there are cultural differences between here and Southampton.
‘It’s a lot more diverse around there. A lot of people have second homes out here and I reckon that pushes up the prices a lot.’
