The latest research from Quickmove Properties has revealed that house prices across UK national parks have increased by an average of 6.6% over the last year, with the cost of purchasing a property close to these areas of natural beauty commanding property premiums as high as 47%.

Residential park home specialists Quickmove Properties analysed property values across the postcodes of 15 British national parks, how they have performed over the last year and how they compare to the cost of buying across the wider region in which they are located.

The research shows that, on average, it will set you back £270,217 to purchase a property within a national park, climbing as high as £431,049 in the New Forest and £421,022 across the South Downs.

What’s more, the average annual rate of house price growth seen across Britain’s national parks currently sits at 6.6%, substantially higher than the wider rate of 0.6% seen across Britain as a whole.

The Pembrokeshire Coast sits top in this respect, having seen property values increase by 11.2% over the last year, followed by the Brecon Beacons (+10.6%) and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs (+9.6%).

Even the worst performing national park, the South Downs, has seen property prices climb by 5.2% in the last year.

When comparing the price of a national park property to the wider regions in which they are found, the research by Quickmove Properties shows that the Lake District is the most desirable. The current average house price of £317,394 is some 47% higher than the wider region of the North West (£215,648).

The Yorkshire Dales (44.9%), Northumberland (31.4%), North York Moors (24.3%) and New Forest (20.1%) also command some of the strongest national park house price premiums. Residents in these areas enjoy unrivalled access to unspoiled landscapes, fresh air, wildlife walks and nature trails.

Those looking to purchase within a national park without the premium price tag could consider a park home. Not only does the price of a brand new park home in the UK sit at just £182,420, many are in rural locations within touching distance of some of the nation’s best national parks and coastal towns.

As a result, those looking to downsize into an area of outstanding natural beauty could do so for a fraction of the cost of a bricks and mortar home, while still reaping the lifestyle benefits that these areas provide.

Sales Director at Quickmove Properties, Mark O’Dwyer, commented:

“Summer may be coming to an end and while this may see a drop in buyer demand across many coastal hotspots, our national parks are a splendid place to be all year around. They offer an unrivalled quality of life, with outstanding scenery, an abundance of fresh air and peace and quiet by the bucket load.

So it’s hardly surprising that despite the wider economic landscape and a cooling bricks and mortar market, national park house prices have gone from strength to strength over the last year.

Of course, this means that many of the most popular locations also command a hefty house price premium when compared to the wider regional average. However, as with all areas of the housing market, there are pockets of relative affordability to be found for those who don’t wish to pay above the odds to have a national park on their doorstep.

Many park home sites for over 50’s are found close to areas of outstanding natural beauty, which makes them a popular option for silver downsizers looking for an idyllic countryside setting, without the hefty price tag of a bricks and mortar home. Moving to a brand new park home can release a substantial amount of equity to help enjoy the increasingly popular modern park home lifestyle.”