The UK is blessed with hundreds of beautiful seaside towns and living by the sea is a dream for many. However, with a gorgeous location usually comes high property prices.
Luckily, there are some places in the UK that offer seaside living and homes that can be bought without breaking the bank.
One such place is Rhyl, in Denbighshire, North Wales, which was named the UK’s most affordable coastal town earlier this year by the Daily Mail. According to Rightmove, average house prices in Rhyl are around £179,628, which is far below the UK average of £267,400, as reported by Zoopla in March 2025.
Detached homes in Rhyl sell for around £202,364, and semi-detached go for an average of £169,025. Terraced houses cost an average of just £135,605. However, what sets the seaside town apart is the fact that properties can be found for much cheaper than that.
At the time of writing, Rightmove lists two one-bedroom, one-bathroom flats in the same Grade II-listed building in Rhyl - each with a starting price of just £32,500. Both properties are being sold via online bidding and are described as investment opportunities.
There are also a few other listings with the starting price of less than £40,000. However, if it’s not a caravan you’re after, most of them will require bidding.
Nonetheless, Rhyl has plenty to offer for those wanting to live by the sea. It’s home to four beaches, including Rhyl Central - once recognised with a Seaside Award - and Splash Point, which is dog-friendly and great for long coastal walks. The town also has family attractions such as the Rhyl Miniature Railway, which dates back to 1911, and the scenic Marine Lake.
A short drive away are popular destinations like Llandudno, Great Orme, Conwy Castle, and the Llandudno Snowsports Centre, offering everything from mountain walks to tobogganing.
Rhyl has also seen regeneration in recent years, with improvements to the seafront and public spaces. Some residents have praised the changes, saying the town now has more to offer.
One local on Reddit described the seafront as a “lovely” place for a bike ride, while another said recent upgrades had made it “pretty decent” again. Others, however, pointed out that like many towns, it still has its challenges and could benefit from further investment.
As far as transport is concerned, Rhyl is well-connected by train, with direct services to cities including Cardiff, Bangor, Holyhead, and Shrewsbury.