A coastal town has seen property values surge while the rest of the UK market slumped.
Hove has jumped into the UK’s top property hotspots after prices rose by more than six per cent from 2024 to 2025, according to new analysis from Clifton Private Finance.
The increase comes despite a national downturn that saw average values across the UK towns analysed fall by two per cent.
“Despite a turbulent year, several small towns have broken through and firmly established themselves as emerging property hotspots,” Clifton Private Finance said.
“To identify which towns across the UK are booming, and where new homeowners and property investors may find the most promising value, we analysed areas that recorded the highest growth in property prices between 2024 and 2025, a period when the wider market experienced a collective dip.”
Hove saw houses prices increase over the past couple of years (Image: NQ)
The firm reviewed ten years of Land Registry data to identify the fastest growing markets in the country.
Hove secured fifth place in the national rankings, driven by a mix of Regency architecture and its popular café culture.
Property prices in the East Sussex town now average approximately £568,000. Buyers looking for detached houses can expect to pay an average of £1.2 million, while smaller flats sell for around £270,000.
The town was named among the best places to live in the country by the Sunday Times in 2025.
It has also featured on Rightmove lists as one of the happiest locations in Britain.
Clifton’s research also found that property prices in Rye in East Sussex had increased by 50 per cent over the past decade, among the biggest increases in the country.
Rye recorded a 50 per cent rise in property values over the past decade (Image: NQ)
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However, the current national leader for price growth is the Welsh town of Beaumaris.
Located on the coast of Anglesey, Beaumaris recorded a 12.12 per cent rise in property values year on year.
Wilmslow in Cheshire followed closely with growth of 11.64 per cent over the last year.
The study of 68 towns suggests buyers are increasingly looking for charm and history outside traditional major cities.