14 February 2023 , 14:23
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One of the UK's most beautiful seaside towns in the country is also one of the poshest.
Southwold in Suffolk my not have as big a reputation as coastal big hitters such as Brighton, Blackpool and Morecambe, but many who discover the charming settlement fall quickly in love.
While it officially has just over 1,000 residents, it's significantly larger pound-for-pound cultural impact is in part due to the many visitors it attracts, and wealthy second home owners, My London reports.
It is a small town in the north of the county which is almost as remote as an island, with just one road in and out of the town.
Roughly 60% of the dwellings in the town are second homes, with many of the holiday lets lying empty most of the year in anticipation of their well-to-do owners' arrival.
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Do you live in Southwold? How do you feel about the second homes? Email [email protected]
The town is a big hit with second home owners (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Such is the influence of absent landlords and holidaying home owners Southwold has earned the nickname “North London On Sea” - and as it's a 2.5 hour drive away from London itself, it's popular with city dwellers.
One of the intriguing aspects of the coastal settlement is that it is almost an island, as it’s surrounded by the North Sea, River Blyth and Southwold harbour.
There is just the one road into the village, giving it the feeling that you're stepping back in time whenever you enter.
With a beautiful sandy beach and the spectacular Adnams Brewery site in the town’s centre, there seems little reason to leave the idyllic spot, apart from to walk along the promenade.
At the centre of village life is Southwold Pier, which is home to crafty shops, a lighthouse and Tim Hunkin’s eccentric : an array of funny and baffling, coin-operated, interactive machines.
The seaside town also has an abundance of restaurants and cafes including a few fresh fish stands next to the River Blythe.
It's therefore no surprise that the idyllic seaside village often attracts people looking to move somewhere on the coast - but it's not going to be a budget-friendly move.
The town is just two hours on the train from London (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Southwold has been named as the fifth most expensive coastal resorts to relocate to in the country, with house prices more than double the national average.
Average house prices in the Suffolk seaside town have been calculated at £487,996, according to research by housing specialist Compare My Move - more than double the average UK house price, which is around £235,000.
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The high prices and demand for the properties as second homes means many locals are being priced out.
Local Lib Dem councillor David Beavan said: "Housing is too expensive for local people, who are being pushed out and families can't afford to live here.
"There are only so many homes, and there are so many people. If somebody has a second home, at least use it. If you are not going to use it, let a local family use it."