How the seaside’s attractive spots have got the working-from-home Londoners swarming seafronts 

While seaside towns may conjure up images of tacky hen weekends, depressingly chilly holidays from your childhood or deathly boring retirement towns, some of the UK’s neglected coastal hotspots are rapidly becoming sought-after hipster havens for millennials escaping the grind and high property prices of big cities.

Since the coronavirus pandemic opened the door to more flexible working arrangements, young professionals are branching out and the wide open space of the coast is just as alluring as the countryside.  

In the last two years, Rightmove has charted the popularity of coastal areas, with Cornwall overtaking London as the most sought after location for buyers in 2021, with the average detached property costing £450,976. 

But for all its charms, Cornwall’s aura of ‘middle class family holiday’ might put off hipster buyers looking for something a bit less Boden with more edge, and crucially cheaper house prices.

That’s why younger couples who want to get on the property ladder have been drawn by the host of seaside doer-uppers and the lower prices of towns like Blackpool, where the average house price is £150,000.

And parents eager to see their children succeed away from the Big Smoke can turn to Cardiff, which is home to the Cardiff Sixth Form College, which has had the best A Level results in independent schools league tables for the past 11 years.

Meanwhile, Londoners who would never have dreamt of ever leaving the capital before the pandemic have now settled in Eastbourne, and transformed the area which previously earned the unflattering nickname God’s Waiting Room thanks to its elderly population, with trendy cafés and boho renovations.   

As young creatives desert London to settle by the shore, Femail looks at what makes the seaside so attractive. 

BEST FOR SCHOOLS: CARDIFF 

Spanish heir to the throne Princess Leonor of Spain, 16, centre, is currently studying at the college for the International Baccalaureate

For parents who want to move to the seaside but also want excellent education for their teens, look no further than Cardiff. 

The Welsh capital is home to the Cardiff Sixth Form College, which has had the best A Level results in independent schools league tables for the past 11 years. 

In 2021, 98 per cent of the school’s students received A* to A grades, and 100 per cent of students achieved a grade between A* and B at their A Levels. 

Open to both girls and boys aged 15 to 19, the College welcomes both day students and boarding students. 

Tuitions fees for day students amounted to £19,600 in 2021, while boarding fees reached £46,000. 

For that price, the students will receive excellent education, often leading them to join the top universities of the country and abroad. 

The Welsh capital is home to the Cardiff Sixth Form College, which has had the best A Level results in independent schools league tables for the past 11 years. 

On top of their choice of nine A-level subjects including Arts, French, Physics and more, the college also offers a host of extra-curricular activities.  

Cardiff Sixth Forms’s ‘Enrichment Week’ holds webinars where students can have A&A session with the world’s biggest universities and firms

And your children will also be treated to a busy schedule of school events, including the yearly Cultural Event, which the school describes as: ‘an Oscar-style Award Ceremony and dinner.’

Budding singers, dancers and musicians will feel at home preparing for the school’s annual talent show. And for an event bigger showbiz fix, the school has its own Glee club. 

The school also has its own Sports Day, filled with athletic events everyone can take part in. 

The college is located in the centre of Cardiff, in a beautiful red brick Victorian building on Trinity Court. 

Just an hour drive away from Cardiff is the world famous UWC Atlantic College.

Dubbed ‘Hippie Hogwarts’, it is situated in the Vale of Glamorgan and costs £67,000 for two years.

With school fees for a two year course costing a whopping £67,000, the school has a range of extra-curricular activities on offer, with its website describes it as ‘providing a platform for young individuals to learn through shared experience’ (left, the dining hall, and right, the outdoor pool)

There, your teens will rub elbows with the young leaders of the future, including European royalty.

Heir to the Spanish throne Princess Leonor, 15, and Princess Alexia, 16, the second eldest child of the King and Queen of the Netherlands, have both enrolled at the school this year to study for their International Baccalaureate diploma.

UWC Atlantic College has a proven track record educating royalty. King Willem-Alexander studied there in the Eighties and Belgian heir to the throne Elisabeth graduated last year. 

Education at the school is played out in a magical place – a 12th century Castle by the sea – with its own seafront, woodland, farmland and valley.

Atlantic College is located near the town of Llantwit Major on the South Wales coast, overlooking the Bristol Channel. It has been continuously inhabited since it was first built. 

Students at the school stay in eight purpose-built boarding houses, which accommodate approximately 48 students each.

The modern accommodation houses are named after either ancient Welsh kingdoms or benefactors to the college: Pentti Kouri, Morgannwg, Powys, Whitaker, Gwynedd, Tice and Sunley.

Unlike a conventional full school day of teaching, lessons at UWC begin at 8am and are finished in time for lunch.

The two-year Diploma Programme has two parts: the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) curriculum, and a programme of experiential learning that focuses on key aspects of ‘peace, a sustainable future, and student initiative’. 

The Trendy Creatives hub: Eastbourne 

Eastbourne, in East Sussex, has become increasingly popular with trendy London creatives. It was reported Rightmove data shows that searches for Eastbourne, which is one of the sunniest places in the UK were up 32 per cent in 2021 compared to 2019

Located in East Sussex, the town of Eastbourne is proving increasingly popular with London creatives. 

Rightmove data shows that searches for Eastbourne, which is one of the sunniest places in the UK, were up 32 per cent in 2021 compared to 2019.

Working from home has made the city particularly attractive with fashionable millennials, who are no longer restricted by their commute. 

The lower housing prices of Eastbourne is also a determining factor in how popular the town has grown in the recent years. 

Buyers can get their hands on five-bedroom Victorian houses for £575,000. 

Net-a-Porter.com’s art director Lizzy Cooney has made the move with her husband Shaun, who worked for Soho House in New York. 

The couple returned to the UK from the US due to the coronavirus pandemic, and set their sight on Eastbourne.  

There, Shaun opened a trendy establishment called Bodega, part coffee place, part bougie convenience store inspired by his time in Manhattan. 

Lizzie said the Bodega gave Shaun a sense of community, thanks to its weekly events, jewellery workshops and crafts night. 

Meanwhile, Who What Wear editor-in-chief, Hannah Almassi, 36, and her fashion photographer husband, Phill Taylor, 39, also moved from London to Eastbourne with their son Teddy and were won over by the lifestyle.

‘Working in fashion we always felt that living outside London wouldn’t be a possibility,’ Hannah told The Times, ‘but then once the ways of working started to change, it made sense.’ 

The couple do not miss their London life, making the most of Eastbourne’ cultural life with visits to its theatres and an award-winning contemporary art gallery, the Towner, which is known for its colourful facade. 

The gallery, which dates back to the 1920s, is famous for its award-winning collection of contemporary art and regularly hosts unmissable exhibitions of the genre. 

Meanwhile, The Grove Theatre has established itself as one of Eastbourne’s most exciting art venues. 

The underground haunt is located underneath the Eastbourne Library, in the heart of the coastal town and hosts plays, music and comedy nights. 

Other spots in Eastbourne have also attracted a trendy clientele thanks to their antique décor. The town’s aptly named ‘Little Chelsea’ neighbourhood was named one of the coolest postcodes to live by the Sunday Times’ home supplement in 2018. 

And it is full of great dining options and cool café hangouts.  

Who What Wear editor-in-chief, Hannah Almassi, 36, left, and her fashion photographer husband, Phill Taylor, 39, also moved from London to Eastbourne with their son Teddy. Net-a-Porter.com’s art director Lizzy Cooney has made the move with her husband Shaun, who worked for Soho House in New York, right

Hannah has been doing her Victorian semi conversion up in Eastbourne with bright, trendy colours and has filled it with quirky art

Leaving their Leyton flat, the couple were able to afford a large house by the seaside with high ceillings, and have been doing up each room, decorating their bedroom with tapestries 

Cafe32 is a quirky spot that is one of Eastbourne’s most beloved brew house, thanks to its friendly atmosphere. 

And the Incredible Cake Company makes amazing desserts and cake toppers that will impress on anyone’s Instagram feed. 

Born, an independent menswear shop has been crowned one of the country’s coolest shops by the Sunday Times earlier this year. 

It was founded by Simon Porter, who used to run the sneaker store Footpatrol and Fly in Chelsea, West London in the 1990s and sold Supreme when it was still a rare commodity. 

Cafe32 is a quirky spot that is one of Eastbourne’s most beloved brew house, thanks to its romantic country décor and friendly atmosphere. And the Incredible Cake Company makes amazing desserts and cake toppers that will impress on anyone’s Instagram feed

Shaun Cooney opened a trendy establishment called Bodega, part coffee place, part elegant convenience store inspired by his time in Manhattan, which recreates the vibe of hipsters London haunts in Eastbourne

 The shop has developed a faithful community of creative thanks to weekly events and craft nights as well jewellery workshops that everyone can join in 

Born, a menswear shop, was founded by Simon Porter, who used to run the sneaker store Footpatrol and Fly in Chelsea, West London in the 1990s and sold Supreme when it was still a rare commodity 

For the Bohemian lifestyle: St-Leonards-on-Sea  

Located next to Hastings, St-Leonards is drawing a host of creatives in with its romantic chic aesthetic and cheap conversion projects. 

Dubbed ‘Dalston-on-Sea’ by GQ,  the coastal town has been hailed a haven for hipster parents. 

Several up and coming designers have made it their home, including the artist Chiara Perano, who left Leyton to completely renovate an old B&B in the coastal town. 

Michelle Kreussel, the designer being the trendy baby accessories brand Fox in the Attic, crafts her confections in her studio in St-Leonards

While she’s installed all the required modern contraptions in her home, the mother-of-two, who produces beautiful calligraphy prints, has kept some of the rugged charm of the bed and breakfast. 

‘I like how it’s a bit rough around the edges and it’s not quaint or mainstream in any way. It’s supercreative and alternative. And there is such a nice community of people of all ages. In London we were in a bubble, here we’re mixing with all sorts of different people,’ she said. 

One of those people is none other than Michelle Kreussel, the designer being the trendy baby accessories brand Fox in the Attic, who crafts her confections in her studio in St-Leonards.  

The artist Chiara Perano, left, who left Leyton to completely renovate an old B&B in the coastal town. She’s redone the kitchen, right, but kept the original rugged charm of the bed and breakfast 

Moving to St-Leonards, Chiara and her partner were able to get their dream conversion project after falling for the high ceillings and picturesque rooms of the B&B 

Located next to Hastings, St-Leonards is drawing a host of creatives in with its romantic chic aesthetic and cheap conversion projects. Stock picture

The designer, who counts nearly 40,000 followers on Instagram, shared a glimpse of her home, full of cottagecore details like vintage wallpaper, naive art drawings, tapestries, antique furniture and more.

And house buyers can still bag themselves some of St Leonards’ old regency conversions, full of period details, who were built in the 1820s by James Burton.

The average price of a flat in the coastal town was £187,230 last year. Detached properties sold for an average of £417,308, with semi-detached properties fetching £345,570. 

Antique lovers who want to muster the aesthetic of Portobello without the Notting Hill price tag will need just a stroll alongside King’s Road to find what they are looking for.  

The London antique shops get their stock in St Leonards, and the town is full of specialist dealers, reclamation yards, vintage boutiques to charity shops that are begging to be explored. 

Hal Man, Half Burger is a very popular local burger place that cultivates its trendy image with an urban décor, its own merch and brick walls 

Heist, a colourful street food joint with craft beer, has been hailed ‘the St-Leonards’ Shoreditch,’ with the young creatives from nearby packing it up on Friday night

St-Leonards is home to several independent business, included the Funky Stugg antiques shop, right, and the very trendy Reste boutique, right 

Funky Stuff is a particularly popular antiques shop located right by the St Leonards’ seafront, where you can find vintage boxing bags, rugs, golden ornate frames and mirrors. 

Many independent businesses have set shop in St-Leonards due to the low rent of the coastal town.

Jacqui Martin opened her sustainable household products and accessories boutique Reste in 2017 after launching the brand online. 

Her store is a feast for the eyes, decorated in neutral tones, with pampas and trendy bouquets of dry flowers as a backdrop for her carefully curated line.   

SAFE HAVE WITH FEMINIST LEANINGS: PAIGNTON

Paington, in Devon, is one of the UK’s safest towns and also enjoys the best quality of sea water in the country with the rest of Devon 

For those who long for a tranquil town where everyone knows everyone and crime rate is exceptionally low, look no further than Paignton.

This Devon town was dubbed the ‘Safest town in the UK’ in 2018 by MoneySuperMarket, and recorded the least amount of crime in the country. 

This sleepy seaside town, which comes with an easily accessible beachfront and rows of prized traditional beach huts, has been a popular resort for years. 

In fact, MoneySuperMarket found that Paignton and Bideford , also in Devon, reported the least amount of burglaries across the UK in 2021. 

Buyers who wish to escape the pollution of the big city will find that the cleanest bathing waters in the UK, if not Europe, are located in Devon.  

Owner Jack Dennant turned an old café into the trendy Avenue Coffee House with an urban makeover with palet tables and recycled furnishings 

New numbers released in January by Defra showed that 100 per cent of the classified bathing waters in the South West and locally have passed their stringent standards, with 98 per cent rated as or ‘Good’ or ‘Excellent,’ compared to just 28 per cent in 1991.

This means that enjoying a dip in the waters of Paignton and the surrounding beaches will be as safe as can be for swimmers. 

While Paignton might be quiet, there is plenty to entertain, with a host of young entrepreneurs have opened bustling businesses for a young crowd.  

In April 2021, locals Jordan Peason, Lewis Hockley and Tom Mountfield took over an old sweep shop and opened a trendy beer garden and shop called Five Walls Hop House, pictured

Jordan also owns Gaia café, a very aestheticly pleasing coffee shop decorate with a successful mix of neutral and vibrant colours and books and plants for the customers to enjoy 

In April 2021, locals Jordan Pearson, Lewis Hockley and Tom Mountfield took over an old sweep shop and opened a trendy beer garden and shop called Five Walls Hop House.

The business has sustainability in mind, with the trio recycling pallets and more to furnish their hop house, which primarily sources local gins, beers and ciders.  

Jordan owns the Gaia Coffee, a stylist establishment were customers are treated to a good brew, with plenty of plants and books to relax. 

Meanwhile, Jack Dennant took over the old Café Jilbert and turned it into Avenue Coffee House, a modern haunt that made headlines when it opened due to its stylish makeover. 

Sam Webber, a Paigntonian who completed a 24-hour knit-a-thon in order to raise money for MIND Charity in 2020, created That Crafty Stitch, an online shop where she sells knitting supplies and beautifully crafted scarves and accessories

Paington is also home to an increase number of vegan restaurants, including the The Oasis Plant Based Eatery, whose veqan breakfasts have become a sure hit with locals. 

Female entrepreneurs have also been on the rise in Paignton, and many people who took up crafty hobbies during Lockdown have been uniting forces. 

Sam Webber, a Paigntonian who completed a 24-hour knit-a-thon in order to raise money for MIND Charity in 2020, created That Crafty Stitch, an online shop where she sells knitting supplies and beautifully crafted scarves and accessories. 

She also founded Her Small Biz, an all-female-led market a year later. 

She created the market to empower female business owners after noticing a lot of businesses founded by women during lockdown needed extra support.   

COMMUTERS’ DREAM: SOUTHEN-ON-SEA     

Southend-on-Sea is located just an hour train ride away from London, making it the perfect spot for commuters who have to go into the office 

It’s all good and well to live by the sea when you can work remotely, but Londoners who will soon be expected to be back into the office full-time will have to keep commute time in mind. 

Thankfully, the coastal town of Southend-on-Sea, in Essex, is the closest seaside town to London, only a 42 mile car journey, which takes around an hour, or a 60-minute train ride away from the city. 

The train journey from Southend-on-Sea’s station to Fernchurch Street, behind Tower Hill, takes only 54 minutes, and a train also links the coastal town to Liverpool street in just over an hour. 

And it’s not just the commute that’s attractive about  this coastal town. 

Focal Point Gallery, pictured, runs attractive exhibitions all year round, and the new Twenty One venue is part café and bar, part gallery and events space where the creatives of Southend can meet

The Attic is a modern haunt in Southend that is just by the water, with stunning sea views. It is famous for its giant bagels, which have been a hit with locals 

Southend-on-Sea is home to a bastion of new British creatives which opened their cool shops in the coastal town before making it big nationally. 

Hip brand The Ragged Priest’ HQ is located in Southend-On-Sea, where it debuted before opening shop in London. 

Foodies will also find their fair share of things to do and taste alongside the promenade.  

Southend-on-Sea has a bit of everything, from the popular Bobby Jo’s Diner to Henry Burgers and The Attic, a modern haunt that is just by the water, with stunning sea views. 

The seaside city also benefits from a thriving art scene, with its own Village Green arts and music festival taking place every year. 

With more Londoners flocking to Southend in recent years, several organisations have popped up in the city, including Meta, which hosts workshops at Chalkwell Park and art residencies. 

Southend-on-Sea is also home to the very trendy fashion label The Ragged Priest, who opened shop by the sea and has now open a shop in London 

In the town centre, Focal Point Gallery runs attractive exhibitions all year round, and the new Twenty One venue is part café and bar, part gallery and events space where the creatives of Southend can meet.  

Artists have definitely turned the estuary into a bohemian destination. In 2018, an old Victorian hotel was converted into studios and a public gallery as well as a workshop space for art classes.  

Prices also make Southend-on-Sea interesting to buyers. 

According to Rightmove, the average house price for the town was £341,739 last year.

In comparison, a house in Brighton, which is located  54 miles away from London and is the second closest coastal town to the city, has an average house price of £471,511 for the same period according to Rightmove numbers. 

The town is known for its beautiful cafés and restaurants. La Petite Petanque, left,  is revered locally for its tasteful décor, and its the scene for many weddings and birthday celebrations. Meanwhile, San Fairie Ann, right, is the brainchild of two best-friend and is known for its quirky, fairy-tale-worthy décor

For sailing enthusiasts: Cowes

Home to a week-long regatta event, Cowes, on the Isle of Wight, is beloved by the royals for its long list of available nautical activities

Cowes, on the Isle of Wight, has long been a hotspot for water sports, especially sailing, and would be ideal for nature lovers. 

Known as ‘the Yachting Capital of the World,’ Cowes has enjoyed ties to the royal family since the reign of George IV, who established the Cowes Week in 1826, one of the oldest and most respected regattas in the world.

A key part of the British summer calendar, the regatta is also one of the UK’s longest running and most successful sporting events, including the King’s Cup Regatta.   

Each year, up to 100,000 spectators flock to watch the sailing, and take part in street parties and live performances and 7,000 compete for the prize.

The event has attracted both foreign and British royalty over the years.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge pictured in Cowes for the King’s Cup Regatta in August 2018. Royals are long-time fans of the Isle of Wight town 

In 2019, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the King’s Cup, with Prince George and Princess Charlotte looking on from another boat. 

Zara and Mike Tindall were also spotted attending several Cowes week events throughout the years, including in 2009, a year before they were engaged.  

There’s more to Cowes than regattas, however, and foodies will be delighted to try Comicoffee’s waffles. 

The café, which already had a successful shop in Newport, opened in East Cowes in an unit at the remodelled York Avenue Garage. 

ComiCoffee in East Cowes, is part of a cool garage collective who have settled shop at the refurbished York Avenue Garage. This mix of industrial décor and comfort food at ComiCoffee resembles the hipster haunts of Shoreditch and Camden

The Anchor, in Cowes, is a beautiful Victorian pub and one of the town’s cultural hotspots and hots live music twice a week and blues nights 

The food is equally trendy, with donuts and waffles drenched in maple syrup and a wide range of vegan and gluten free options.  

Comics fans will get to enjoy their Matcha lattes and Minty mochas while reading from the large collections of comics that are available to customers. 

The venue is one of the most popular ones on the Isle of Wight, and won the island’s Best Café or Tea Room award last year. 

And for added cool factor, the café is part of Garage inc, which includes a bespoke tattoo studio and a barber shop, as well as others thriving local businesses who have open shop in the converted York Avenue Garage. 

If you’re looking to have some creative inspiration, the Anchor, a beautiful Victorian water hole, hosts blues nights and live music at least twice a week, giving plenty of occasion to discover Cowes’ music scene. 

For nature lovers: Bournemouth

Bournemouth is home to several equestrian centre, and located only 30 minutes away from Studland Bay, where riders can take their horses on beachfront walks, pictured

 Located in South East Dorset, Bournemouth is one of the UK’s most popular coastal towns for beach-goers, but it is also a beauty spot with unbeatable view points and fun, quirky local pubs and restaurants. 

The coastal city also enjoys a thriving night life, with a host of cool and quirky bars to choose from. 

Bournemouth’s Triangle is known for its aesthetically pleasing coffee shops, including FLIRT, a café and bar which hosts lots of fun weekly event.  

Everyone is welcome at the bar’s Open Mic Night and its Quiz Night, and it is also famous for its LGVT+ Salsa nights. 

Meanwhile, the Mad Cucumber is one of the cities’ most popular vegan restaurants and only serves locally sources ingredients.   

Bournemouth’s 60 Million Postcards has been hailed as one of the city’s hidden gems. Local can enjoy oysters and delicious fried food in this venue that has been described as ‘so hipster it’ll make your beard curl.’

It got its quirky name in 2006, from return mail held by the Bournemouth Post Office. Nowadays, the pub is still on the lookout for cards and encourages its patrons to send some.  

The local hosts a legendary pub quiz night and live music with some of the UK’s hottest acts. 

And Bournemouth millennials have made South Coast Coffee one of their favourite spots to recharge after their nights out.

And the town is full of cute independent shops, like Sugar Mango, a store that’s half Accessorize, half Paperchase and sells quality clothes for the trendy Bournemouth woman.  

Bournemouth, who is home to Arts University Bournemouth, also enjoys a thriving art scene. The Whitehall galleries exposes the work of the cities’ up and coming artists to the art enthusiasts. 

Each year, Bournemouth is also taken over by Bourne Free, its annual Pride event, and Bournemouth’s Arts by the Sea.

Flirt, in the Bournemouth Triangle, is one of the most popular cafés in town and hosts a wide range of weekly events and socials 

South Coast Coffee is an independent business and a trendy joint where the Bournemouth millennials like to regroup and recharge

And nature lovers can also experience one-of-a-kind experiences by the Bournemouth coast. 

The region is a treat particularly for horse lovers, who can bring their own horse to enjoy rides along the cliffs of Dorset and on the local beaches.

In fact, Studland Stables, located just half an hour away by ferry from Bournemouth, specialises in organising horse trekking expeditions around the beaches.

Both experienced riders and total beginners can take part in these amazing rides, which cover 3 miles of beaches, dunes and clifftops.   

Studland has amazing parking facilities for horse boxes so riders who already have a steed can bring them with them to enjoy the day out. 

Bournemouth is also home to several equestrian centres where riders can enjoy their hobbies more regularly. 

Sugar Mango is a cute independent shop that’s half Accessorize, half Paperchase and sells quality clothes for the trendy Bournemouth woman

Bournemouth’s 60 Million Postcards has been hailed as one of the city’s hidden gems. Locals can enjoy oysters and delicious fried food in this venue that has been described as ‘so hipster it’ll make your beard curl’

For the doer-upper: Blackpool 

The average house price in Blackpool is £150,000, making the Northern coastal town a perfect location for renovation projects. Its beach front is also very popular with tourists and locals alike 

If you’re looking for a renovation project, Blackpool, on the Irish Sea coast, is the perfect place to buy. 

With average house prices at £150,000, there are plenty of property makeovers to do with, all located just a mere yards away from Blackpool’s popular seafront. 

A 2021 study by Go Compare cited that the average salary price needed to buy a house in Blackpool was £12,376 compared to London’s £77,330, Lancashire Live reported. 

In Blackpool, a two-bedroom terraced house located a stone throw away from the beach is on the market for £65,000. 

Another two-bedroom flat close to the city centre is also up for grabs for £60,000. 

And a modern two-bedroom flat requiring little renovation work with view on the harbour is currently going for £80,000. 

Buying a fixer-upper in Blackpool would also be a timely investment, because the city itself is expanding to become more attractive.

During a visit last week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson vowed to support investment in skills and jobs in Blackpool as part of the Government’s Levelling Up programme.

Mr Johnston was visiting Blackpool to tour its £28m new conference centre which is due to host the Conservative Party Spring Conference in March.

Blackpool is known for its themed restaurants. One of the most beautiful is the Vintro Lounge in Church Street, which is circus-themed

Blackpool is full of old Victorian semi and terraced houses which are available at small prices and screaming for a makeover. Pictured: a house before its makeover, left and after, right 

Bournemouth is home to amazing semi-detached two bedroom flats going for £60,000, a fraction of the price they’d cost in central London

Couple have been buying property for cheap and doing it up. A couple bought their home in 2020, redid all rooms, including the very outdated kitchen, left, turned it into a open plan living space, right and sell it for a profit 

It was also announced in January that developers were given the green light to turn Blackpool’s old train station – which is currently used as a car park – into an Indoor Entertainment Park as part of a £300m project.  

These projects will bring more workers and more money into Blackpool, making 2022 a great year to invest in property on the Northern Coast. 

Meanwhile the bustling art scene is a sight to behold, and the town’s Old Rock Factory, is a hub for local artists.

Trendy locals have also populated Blackpool’s many themed-restaurants. The Vintro Lounge, located on Church St is a stunning circus-themed haunt. 

OR YOU COULD JUST MOVE TO LONDON-ON-SEA!: BRIGHTON  

Celebrities have long made Brighton their home and the town’s many establishments are used to cater to an exclusive clientele.  

Brighton is home to a host of celebrities who’ve settled in the coastal town, including David Gimour, Fatboy Slim, Zoella and Cate Blanchett (pictured: the Royal Albion hotel in Brighton)

BN1, a postcode located in central Brighton, was ranked tenth in a list of the best places to live in the UK, according to the Sunday Times.  

Brighton’s Kemptown neighbourhood is set to open its very own Soho House this year, featuring an open air plunge pool, an outdoor bar and a fish restaurant. 

And many of Brighton’s independent shops have been touted by influencers and celebs as some of the coolest in the country. 

Unlimited, a colourful independent design shop & gallery on the seafront in Brighton, is warmly recommended by Michelle Ogundehin, the former editor-in-chief of Elle Decoration UK.

Meanwhile, Our Daily Edit and Wolf&Gypsy Vintage have seduced the cool Brightonians with its collection of indie brands and thrifty finds. 

If you fancy counting David Gilmour, Fatboy Slim, influencers and more as your neighbours, Brighton is where you want to buy. 

Former Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour, right, lives in Brighton with his wife Polly Samson, left. They bought a house on the beach front in 2015

Vlogger Zoe Sugg and her long-term boyfriend Alfie Deyes are long standing Brighton residents. The couple bagged themselves a £1.7million five-bedroom mansion in 2017, located on the Hove seafront and have been staying there full time ever since

The coastal town was once home to Charles Dickens and has been hailed as a bastion of British creativity ever since. 

Brighton has been particularly popular with celebs for years, from social media stars to actors, musicians and more. 

In fact, the Visit Brighton website counts its celebrities as one of the city’s main attractions. 

Social media enthusiasts will enjoy the chance of bumping into Zoella Sugg and her long-term boyfriend Alfie Deyes, who are long standing Brighton residents.

The couple bagged themselves a £1.7million five-bedroom mansion in 2017, located on the Hove seafront and have been staying there full time ever since. 

Zoe, who welcomed her first child in 2021, often shares videos of her days out and about in Brighton and its surroundings. 

She shops at the Haskins Garden Centre in Littlehampton, located 50 minutes from Brighton, and often enjoys breakfast at Marmalade in the trendy neighbourhood of Kemptown, her favourite spot. 

And dog lovers can catch a glimpse of her and Alfie walking their pug Nala by Devil’s Dyke on the South Downs Way.

The stand-up comic Zoe Lyons also enjoys a walk by Brighton Pier and goes cold water swimming there all year round.

If you’re more of a music fan, Brighton is also where you want to be. 

The city hosts some of the biggest names of the music industry, including Pink Floyd’s former guitarist David Gilmour. 

The musician, 74, lives in Hove with author Polly Samson, 58, in the Medina House, which they first purchased in 2015. 

The house was renovated by award winning architect Keb Gavarito-Bruhn for five years. 

The couple, who married in 1994, settled into their new home in December 2020. 

Australian singer, actor and screenwriter Nick Cave is also a long standing resident of Brighton. 

And Norman Cook, better known as his stage name Fatboy Slim, who made his debut on the Brighton club scene, is a fierce advocate for the city. 

The DJ regularly headlines the Brighton Gay Pride’s celebrations, and supports the Brighton & Hove Albion football club. He is also the owner of the Big Beach Café at Hove Lagoon. 

Hollywood actress Cate Blanchett lived in Brighton for years, claiming she missed it when she worked outside of the UK, but has since moved to Crowborough.