Liz Rowlinson

A house hunter’s guide to Sussex

  • From Spectator Life
Image: Rowland Gorringe

Bracing sea air, walks along windswept dunes and early-morning dips in the surf …living by the seaside can be just the tonic for mind, body and soul. What’s more, with greater opportunities for remote working, it’s in vogue.

According to the agent Knight Frank, the sale of coastal homes increased 19 per cent over the five-year average, in 2021 with the biggest increase in south-east England: 217 per cent. With Sussex spanning the lion’s share of the south coast, it’s often the go-to spot for movers and second-home owners from London, with train journeys between 60 and 90 minutes.

But whether you seek sailing, peaceful beaches or the buzz of a bucket-and-spade resort, where to choose? According to the property portal Rightmove, the highest number of buyer enquiries for coastal locations in Sussex during 2021 were for Brighton, Eastbourne, Worthing and Hastings, showing the enduring appeal of the classic seaside town.

iStock-1344617489.jpg
Classic seaside appeal, Hastings (iStock)

Brighton – where prices rose by 12.7 per cent in 2021 to an average of £481,370, according to the estate agent Hamptons – of course offers so much more, and its diverse cultural scene and education attracting more Londoners than ever. With flats from £200,000 in lively Kemptown to detached houses for £2m-plus in family-friendly Hove, there’s a wide choice of options. Amongst the elegant Regency style homes is this four-bedroom terraced townhouse in the Clifton Conservation Area, for £1.25m, through Hamptons.

Brighton_84_Upper_North_Street_286159_(1).jpg
A four-bed townhouse for sale in Brighton, Hamptons

Some of those looking for a seaside bolt hole but priced out of Brighton in the last two years are now looking at Hastings, St. Leonards and Worthing where average prices hover around £300,000. Improved by a mix of regeneration and gentrification, they are gaining new galleries and gastropubs – and AirBnB investors too.

Already a subscriber? Log in

Keep reading with a free trial

Subscribe and get your first month of online and app access for free. After that it’s just £1 a week.

There’s no commitment, you can cancel any time.

Or

Unlock more articles

REGISTER

Comments

Don't miss out

Join the conversation with other Spectator readers. Subscribe to leave a comment.

Already a subscriber? Log in