The British do love to live beside the seaside whether it's the increasing trend for buying a property abroad or the popularity and convenience of living by the sea a little closer to home.

Halifax Estate Agents has analysed average property prices for over 100 seaside towns in England and Wales over the past two years. It appears that the desire for a sea view does add a premium to property prices, over 70% of the seaside towns examined have outperformed their region.

The highest increase over the past 2 years has been in Padstow where average property prices have increased by 103% compared to the regional average for the South West of 42% and the average for England and Wales of 28%. The seaside towns in Cornwall have performed very well with four of the top ten located in the county.

The Welsh coastal towns have also performed well, with average prices in Pwllheli rising by 85% and with three of the top ten seaside towns in Wales.

The most expensive seaside town in England and Wales is Sandbanks in Dorset where the average property costs over £400,000. The seaside towns in the south are the most expensive in the country and eight out of the top ten most expensive towns are in the South West.

These prices may be too high for most of those looking to relocate to the coast or buy a weekend hideaway by the sea. There are, however, many areas around the country where seaside town property prices are more affordable and people may be able to buy a property with their own sea view. The most affordable seaside towns are in the north of England with the north east coastline offering many of the least expensive seaside properties in the country.

It is a mixed picture throughout the country and there are wide variations in average price within the different coastal regions.

Jane Pridgeon, Managing Director of Halifax Estate Agents, said:

"A home by the sea is a dream for many people and it could also prove to be a good financial investment, the majority of seaside towns we have analysed have performed very well against the rest of their region."

"However, if you're looking for a property with a great sea view you may have to be prepared to pay more than the average price as a good sea view will add a premium to the price of a property."