Lakes, Lochs and Reservoirs – Which commands the highest house price

While the recent hot weather will have spurred many of us to take a trip to the beach, there are a whole host of lakes, lochs and reservoirs (LLR) across the UK that can make a great alternative when it comes to cooling down.

Estate agent comparison site, GetAgent.co.uk, has taken a look at the cost of buying around the UK’s biggest and best, how they differ, and which is the most affordable.

GetAgent looked at house prices around 38 locations across the UK and found that on average, a property close to a freshwater swimming hole will set you back £224,791.

Reservoirs commanded the highest house price. Property values surrounding reservoir locations averaged £254,396 compared to £230,450 around lakes and just £173,026 surrounding lochs.

England is home to the highest house price for the lot at £288,688, with Wales second (£198,348), Scotland third (£189,935) and Northern Ireland home to the most affordable LLR locations at £134,232.

The most affordable

The most affordable of the lot is Trawsfynydd reservoir in Gwynedd with an average house price of just £112,993, making it the most affordable location to buy close to a freshwater swimming hole in the UK.

Derwent Reservoir which straddles the border of County Durham and Northumberland ranks as the most affordable in England with an average house price of £127,999.

Northern Ireland is home to three of the most affordable lochs on the list in Upper Lough Erne (132,163), Lower Lough Erne (£132,163) and Lough Neagh (£138,369).

The sixth overall and most affordable in Scotland is Loch Awe in Argyll and Bute, with an average property price of £150,587 in the surrounding area.

The least affordable

Not all property prices surrounding lakes, lochs and reservoirs are affordable though. The least affordable is Chew Valley Lake reservoir in Somerset with an average house price of £406,938.

Lake Vyrnwy reservoir in Powys is the least affordable in Wales (£325,431), while Loch Ness ranks as the least affordable Scottish entry (£231,738).

Founder and CEO of GetAgent.co.uk, Colby Short said, “We hear a lot about the best coastal spots in the UK property market but living by a freshwater beauty spot can be just as good, perhaps better if you don’t like salt, sand and seagulls.

“Depending on whether you opt for a lake, loch or reservoir the price of property can differ by as much as £80,000 and for those struggling to get on the ladder, heading for the lochs and loughs of Scotland or Northern Ireland provide some of the most affordable options within stone’s throw of taking a dip.”