Beach hut prices drop by a third: Is Britons' love affair with the seaside shacks over?

By LUCY EVANS, SENIOR MONEY REPORTER Beach huts were hot property during the pandemic, as Britons flocked to seaside havens instead of heading abroad.  But appetite for the beachside boltholes may be fading as prices have plummeted for the second year in a row, fresh data reveals. Asking prices plunged 9.8 per cent in the year to July 2026, according to online estate agent Yopa, which probed price tags across eight of the UK's most popular coastal counties. In the year to July 2025, beach hut price tags fell by a whopping 19.6 per cent- from £45,825 to £36,858 – before trickling down further to £33,251 in the year after. Because they are limited in number, beach huts are some of the most exclusive property in the country.  In recent years buyers have been willing to shell out tens of thousands of pounds on a wooden shed close to the sea. Prices climbed by a huge 37.1 per cent in the year to July 2022 as families who couldn't holiday abroad during the pandemic flocked to the British seaside for summer entertainment. Beach huts, pictured here in Hove, thrived in 2022 but have since plummeted in value Even when borders reopened, beach huts continued to thrive as households increased their lifestyle spending. Verona Frankish, chief executive of Yopa, says: 'The beach hut market experienced the same surge in demand that we saw across the wider housing market in the wake of the pandemic, as buyers placed far greater value on lifestyle purchases and making the most of the UK's coastline.' Prices per square foot often rivalled property in prime city locations – despite most not permitting overnight stays. But prices have now begun to plummet as the inflated post-pandemic bubble now corrects to its normal levels. Squeezed buyers, who are now flocking back to overseas holidays, are choosing not to splash out on the expensive huts.  Is it worth every penny or do you wish you hadn't splashed out? Get in touch: editor@thisismoney.co.uk Frankish adds: 'Whilst demand for beach huts remains strong, they're ultimately a discretionary purchase and, with confidence across the wider property market remaining somewhat subdued, it's no surprise that we've seen values ease over the last couple of years.' Swathes of owners are starting to put their huts on the market as the pandemic staycation boom comes to a close. This glut of supply has in turn forced sellers to lower asking prices as there are fewer buyers desperate to get their hands on one.  The worst hit county is West Sussex, home to seaside towns Bognor Regis, West Wittering and Littlehampton. Beach hut price tags here fell by some 35 per cent, from £33,044 to £21,444, in the year to July. It's by far the worst performing market, with Norfolk coming in second. Beach huts there have seen asking price falls of 13 per cent bringing  them to £16,743. Your browser does not support iframes. Essex and Hampshire trail closely behind with drops of 12.2 per cent and 12 per cent respectively. Meanwhile, Kent and East Sussex have seen the mildest declines at 5.9 per cent and 2.9 per cent respectively. However, there are two pockets of coast that are seeing resilient price tags. Asking prices in Suffolk have climbed by 6.6 per cent to £27,676. Huts in Dorset are also buoyant with a 2.8 per cent climb – but they are the most expensive on the market at an average of £105,343. Dorset is home to the exclusive Mudeford, where beach huts are prime property and attract swathes of holidaymakers. One there sold for an eyewatering £485,000 in 2024. Even outside of these two booming locations, sellers who bought huts before the pandemic boom are still winning. Frankish says: 'It doesn't mean the market has lost its appeal. In fact, values overall remain higher than they were before the post-pandemic boom, meaning many owners have still enjoyed healthy long-term growth.' She also adds that the subdued market is an opportunity for savvy buyers on the hunt for beachside property. After two years of falling value, it could be an attractive point to buy ahead of the next phase of the property cycle. Now you can snap up a beach hut in Hove for £22,500 while in Lancing – next to Worthing – one is on sale for £16,000. Mortgage rates have jumped as conflict with Iran has driven up inflation expectations and dashed hopes of interest rate cuts. If you need a mortgage because you are buying a home, or your current fixed rate deal is due to end, you should explore your options as soon as possible.   This is Money has a long-standing partnership with fee-free broker L&C, to provide you with expert mortgage advice. 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