A much-loved Essex seaside town has been named one of the best coastal destinations in a new guide ranking places to live by the sea.
Frinton-on-Sea was ranked 17th on a list from Black Brick, examining coastal property, services, access and year-round life.
It is described as having a greensward, a sandy beach and no arcades, after spending a century keeping the twentieth out.
The guide says prices are low for the beach, while London can be reached from Frinton in about an hour and a half.
Its avenues include detached houses that would cost several times more in Suffolk, according to the report.
The main trade-off is a quiet, conservative town, which the guide says will not suit everyone.
Frinton is listed as best for value hunters and retirees who want sand rather than shingle.
The average house price is £364,727, while prime homes reach £550,000.
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The report places Frinton in the south east, where property demand is influenced by commuters and access to London.
It says the town can offer a beach lifestyle while remaining within reach of Liverpool Street station. The journey takes around 90 minutes.
The guide’s findings come as the coastal housing market changes after the rush for second homes between 2020 and 2022.
Councils in England have been able to charge a 100 per cent council tax premium on second homes since April 2025. More than 200 councils have adopted the measure.
The stamp duty surcharge on additional properties also increased from 3 per cent to 5 per cent at the same time.
The report says these changes have affected prices in areas where second homes are common. Savills’ prime coastal index fell through 2025, although the decline slowed to 1.5 per cent in the final quarter.
Rightmove’s May 2026 analysis found that eight of Britain’s ten most expensive coastal locations fell in price over the year. The cheapest areas mostly increased, led by Bootle in Merseyside at 11 per cent.
According to the guide, the change has been greatest at the top of the market and in towns where homes are mainly used at weekends.
Year-round towns with links to larger centres have generally held their ground. The report says this may help people buying a permanent home rather than a second property.
The selection was based on whether towns have a population through the year, schools, shops, pubs, GPs and access to transport.
The guide also considered access to the water, the number of property sales and whether buyers would have enough choice.
Price figures are based on sold prices for the 12 months to spring 2026, using HM Land Registry data for England and Wales.
The figures were accessed in July 2026 and are intended as guides rather than property valuations.
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