Two spots in Sussex have been named among the UK's poshest seaside villages for 2024.
West Wittering and West Itchenor were featured alongside eight others in a list from The Telegraph.
They utilised research from Savills to identify the most upmarket coastal villages, based on house prices and the number of sales over £1m in the past five years.
Discussing the creation of the list they wrote: "These seaside hotspots don’t just have pricey property, breathtaking coastlines and the views to match, but also a real community and great places to hang out."
The full list of the poshest seaside villages in the UK for 2024 can be found on The Telegraph website here.
What was said about West Wittering and West Itchenor?
West Wittering
West Wittering has an average house price of £913,082 with 18% of its homes being sold for more than £1m in the past five years.
The Telegraph writes: "On New Year’s Day, the traffic snarls up all the way back to Goodwood and the South Downs, with day trippers and kite surfers off to West Wittering to blow the cobwebs away. The vast beach is bordered with sand dunes and multi-coloured beach huts, and looks out to the Isle of Wight and across to Portsmouth.
"The West Wittering Estate runs the car park (best to book in advance) and there’s a cafe and coffee kiosk. The Lamb Inn’s reputation stretches across the county and is also a must-book, with a beer garden, play area and plenty of space in the car park for campervans laden with surfboards."
West Wittering absolutely stunning this afternoon pic.twitter.com/3invjsJpjg
— Anthony Hesse (@PropPersonnel) October 15, 2023
There's a variety of houses in the village itself, ranging from thatched cottages to bungalows and semi-detached family homes.
It adds: "Wealthy families relocating have long bought in the village, looking to recreate their childhood memories – and because membership to the sailing club comes with the property."
Paul Machell of Strutt & Parker states that historically a large percentage of buyers would have been looking for second homes but there has been a shift in recent times.
"Now most people only commute two or three times a week, which makes the 90-minute train from nearby Havant or slightly longer from Chichester, much more achievable," he said.
West Itchenor
West Itchenor is the most expensive coastal village featured on the list with an average house price of £1,559,483 and the proportion of homes sold for £1m+ being 56%.
Itchenor, West Sussex pic.twitter.com/oYc7SwgHgv
— Jonathan Derbyshire (@Jderbyshire) October 22, 2021
The Telegraph writes: "Life in this pretty village revolves around sailing, the sailing club and the local pub the Ship Inn – which runs events such as moules frites and fizz night, serving local sparkling wine."
The waterways are always busy there with Hamish Humfrey of Knight Frank, explaining: "People are now spending more than just the weekend and holidays in their second home."
Recommended reading:
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West Itchenor has only seen 39 sales over the last five years due to its desirability, with many trying their luck in nearby Bosham instead.
Bosham is just across the water and one of its many attractions is the family-run harbourside pub, the Anchor Bleu, which dates back to 1741.
The Telegraph gives it posh points for "evening sailing, followed by supper at Itchenor Sailing Club."
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