Home buyers pay an average £66,500 premium to live in a national park, according to Nationwide Building Society figures.
Data from the building society shows that properties located within national park boundaries are typically 24 per cent more expensive than similar homes in other locations, based on the current UK average house price of £278,784.
The price premium also extends to surrounding areas. Properties situated within approximately three miles of a national park command a 6 per cent premium compared to homes located further away.
Nationwide found that homes in national landscapes, such as the Chilterns, Cotswolds, and Surrey Hills, also fetch significant price premiums.
Most Affordable National Parks in Britain
Buyers seeking lower property prices within a national park can find the cheapest options in Eryri, also known as Snowdonia, in Wales.
The average cost of a home in Snowdonia is £203,000, which is £75,784 lower than the UK national average. National parks cover 20 per cent of the land area in Wales, representing the highest proportion among the home nations, Nationwide noted.
Scotland provides the second cheapest national park option in the Cairngorms, where approximately 18,000 people reside. Homes in the Cairngorms cost around £255,000 on average, remaining below the UK national average.
In the Brecon Beacons in Wales, home to around 33,800 residents, the average property price is £292,000. Properties along the Pembrokeshire Coast in Wales cost around £310,000 on average.
Across the Yorkshire Dales, buyers need to spend about £315,000 to purchase a home. In the Lake District, the average house price reaches £325,000, according to Nationwide.
Average property prices are higher in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs in Scotland, where around 15,200 people live and average home values stand at £330,000.
Priciest Locations to Live in National Parks
Dartmoor ranks as the fourth most expensive national park to live in, with average home prices of around £348,000. Approximately 34,900 people live on Dartmoor.
Property prices rise sharply in the Peak District, where average house values reach £450,000. This represents a £171,216 premium over the UK national average.
The South Downs is the second most expensive national park for home buyers, with average property prices of £485,000. Approximately 116,200 people live within the South Downs.
The New Forest is the most expensive national park to buy a home in, according to the analysis. Average property prices in the area stand at £563,000, with a population of 34,300 people.
Andrew Harvey, senior economist at Nationwide, said: "National Parks are highly desirable area to live in thanks to the beautiful countryside."
Harvey added: "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."
He also noted that planning restrictions play a key role in pricing: "Development is also controlled with limited new housing construction, which may also help to explain why house prices tend to be relatively high."
Property Prices in National Landscapes
National landscapes, previously known as areas of outstanding natural beauty, are designated for conservation due to their significant landscape value. Around 15 per cent of land in England falls within a national landscape.
The Cornwall national landscape, which comprises 12 separate sections spanning Bodmin Moor and various coastal stretches, is the cheapest national landscape in the UK, with average prices around £300,000.
Dorset and the Wye Valley are the second and third cheapest national landscapes, with average property prices at around £345,000 and £370,000 respectively.
Buyers can typically purchase a home for under £400,000 in east Devon and south Devon. In High Weald, property prices are significantly higher, averaging around £505,000.
The Chilterns is the second most expensive national landscape, with average property prices of around £685,000. The Surrey Hills is the most expensive national landscape in the UK, with average home values reaching £710,000.
Harvey commented: "While not as well-known as national parks, national landscapes are nevertheless very desirable places to live and as such tend to be associated with relatively high house prices."
Impact of Rising Mortgage Rates on Buyers
The property data arrives as mortgage rates have increased following inflation driven by conflict with Iran, which reversed expectations that the Bank of England would reduce interest rates. The shift means buyers and households looking to remortgage face higher borrowing costs.
This makes securing competitive mortgage rates and professional advice increasingly important for first-time buyers, existing homeowners, and buy-to-let landlords. This is Money has partnered with broker L&C to offer fee-free mortgage services.
Through an online Mortgage Finder tool, buyers can compare fixed-rate options spanning two, five, and ten years across more than 90 lenders and thousands of deals matched to home values and deposit levels.
Mortgage services are provided by London & Country Mortgages (L&C), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under registration number 143002. Most Buy to Let mortgages are not regulated by the FCA, and borrowers are warned that their property may be repossessed if mortgage repayments are not maintained.
