Nationwide analysis reveals 24 per cent premium on properties within a national park

Analysis by the Nationwide Building Society has revealed a 24 per cent premium on properties within a national park and a six per cent premium if they are located within five km of a national park.

Andrew Harvey, Nationwide’s senior economist said: “National parks are highly desirable areas to live in thanks to the beautiful countryside. Those living in the parks are ideally placed to make the most of the great outdoors and take advantage of a range of activities and amenities.

“Development is also controlled with limited new housing construction, which may also help to explain why house prices tend to be relatively high.

“Our analysis suggests that a property located within a national park attracts a 24 per cent premium compared to a similar property elsewhere. This is around £66,500 in cash terms based on the current UK average house price (£278,784 in Q2 2026).

“We continue to see a ‘fringe benefit’ for properties located close to national parks. Those within five km (around three miles) of a national park command a six per cent premium compared with those outside this range.

Commenting on national park property prices in Scotland, he added: “Scotland has two national parks, with the Cairngorms covering the largest land area of the UK’s 15 national parks. It is relatively sparsely populated however, with just 18,000 people living across the 4,528 km² covered by the park and perhaps why the average price is £255,000. 

“Meanwhile, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs is Scotland’s most visited national park, with 50 per cent of Scotland’s population living within an hour’s drive. This relative accessibility also drives higher house prices, with average prices estimated at £330,000.”

According to the analysis, the New Forest is the most expensive national park to live in, with an average house price of £563,000.  The South Downs and the Peak District were the second and third most expensive, with average property prices of £485,000 and £450,000 respectively.  Loch Lomond and the Trossachs national park came in fifth.

www.nationwide.co.uk

Pictured: Luss, near Loch Lomond