Want a seaside property bargain? Swap Sandbanks and Salcombe for one of THESE lesser-known gems

Those who dream of living by the sea might be put off by prices in well-known coastal enclaves like Sandbanks and Salcombe.

Both are notoriously expensive, and out of reach for many.

New findings by Lloyds Banking Group show average property prices in Sandbanks, Dorset, stand at £965,708 - and that is down 3 per cent on a year ago.

In Salcombe, Devon, average property prices have climbed to more than £820,000.

But buyers seeking a home by the beach need not give up hope. Across Britain, the average price of a property on or near the coast is a much more affordable £295,001.

There are many lesser-known and cheaper areas you can move to, some of which are a just a stone's throw away from far more pricey spots.

Here are some of the location swaps buyers can make to potentially save themselves hundreds of thousands.

Across the south west of England, Sandbanks has retained its crown as the most expensive location to buy a coastal home. In fact, Sandbanks is the most expensive area to buy a home by the sea in Britain.

However, in Plymouth, also in the south west, average property prices are considerably lower, at £248,668.

Plymouth saw the second-highest combined value of coastal home purchases over the past year, having reached £810million, Lloyds said.

Brimming with reasonably priced properties, Plymouth also saw the largest number of coastal area property transactions in the last 12 months, reaching 3,258.

Heather Porter, who runs her own private estate agency business in Plymouth, told This is Money: 'Plymouth is a real gem for buyers, and I'm seeing strong interest across all price brackets.

'The unique combination of stunning waterfront living with genuine affordability compared to other coastal locations puts Plymouth firmly on the map.'

Andrew Hampton, a property consultant at Iad UK, told This is Money: 'Plymouth has something really special about it.

'There’s the pull of the water whether that’s a swim at the Lido, one of the many beaches, sea swimming, or just sitting on the Hoe with a bite to eat in one of the many incredible bars or restaurants, soaking in the views.'

There's no denying that Aldeburgh in Suffolk is charming and beautiful.

It is a popular destination for holidaymakers and average property prices in the area are on the high side, at £619,693.

However, elsewhere in Suffolk, significantly cheaper coastal areas are available.

Enter Lowestoft, which is about an hour's drive from Aldeburgh.

According to Lloyds' latest research, the average cost of a home in Lowestoft is £238,372, which is even lower than the average cost of a coastal home across Britain.

Famous for being the most easterly town and the first place to see the sunrise in Britain, Lowestoft is also the birthplace of composer Benjamin Britten.

Lymington is a glorious town in the New Forest district of Hampshire. Situated on the west bank of the Lymington River, on the edge of the Solent, it is a major yachting centre with three marinas.

With so much to offer residents, property in Lymington is in demand and average property prices are high, at £608,253.

A cheaper alternative is East Cowes on the Isle of Wight, where average property prices are £239,605.

East Cowes beach is a lovely quiet shingle and sand beach with fantastic views across West Cowes and its marina.

St Andrews in Scotland is known for its golf courses, a historic university, medieval streests and traditional buildings. It's a real showstopper and average property prices in the area are £458,381, according to Lloyds.

For buyers looking for a cheaper option in Scotland with costal views, Campbeltown could be the answer.

In Lloyds' research, Campbeltown, on the scenic Kintyre Peninsula, was found to be the most affordable coastal location across Britain to buy a home, with an average property price of £103,078.

Property prices in Campbeltown have fallen by 11 per cent in the last year, Lloyds said.

'Once dubbed the whisky capital of the world, Campbeltown offers dramatic coastal views and access to the islands of Islay, Jura and Arran', Lloyds added.

All the top 10 cheapest coastal locations in Britain were found in Scotland, Lloyds said in its report.

Mumbles, known also as 'The Mumbles', is the gateway to the Gower Peninsula, home to the singer Bonnie Tyler when she’s back in her beloved Wales, as well as Catherine Zeta Jones and her family.

Packed with quaint shops and a promenade, average property prices in The Mumbles are £417,043.

However, cheaper alternatives like Prestatyn are available. In Prestatyn, average property prices are just £192,331.

The promenade joining Prestatyn's three beaches offers pleasant walking around the sandy bays and and forms part of the North Wales Coast Path.

Across the north east, average property prices in Whitley Bay stand at around £310,918.

Whitley Bay has arcades, a skate park, mini golf, as well as award-winning ice cream and fish and chip shops.

For buyers looking to snap up a home in the north-east of England, Newbiggin-By-The-Sea offers a more affordable options.

Average property prices in Newbiggin-By-The-Sea are around £132,863, well below the national average for coastal areas, Lloyds said.

Outside of Scotland, Northumberland's Newbiggin-By-The-Sea was crowned as the most affordable coastal location in England.

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For buyers looking for a home by the coast in the north west of England, Grange-Over-Sands is often a popular bet.

Located in Cumbria, Grange-over-Sands is an elegant town, with strong reminders of its heyday as a fashionable seaside resort in the nineteenth century.

Compared to the likes of Sandbanks and Salcombe, Grange-over-Sands offers reasonably priced properties, with prices at around £308,419.

Buyers looking for a cheaper alternative to Grange-over-Sands in the north west should consider Fleetwood, where average property prices are typically more than £160,000 less, at £146,338.

Whitby has become a go-to destination for tourists and property prices in the area have risen sharply in recent years. To buy a home in Whitby, buyers will need an average of £299,161, Lloyds said.

Buyers in Yorkshire and The Humber looking to make their money stretch further should consider Withernsea, a traditional seaside town where average property prices are considerably lower, at £148,402. Withernsea Beach is a designated Blue Flag bathing beach.

Beyond the beach and Pier Towers, Withernsea offers several attractions to explore, including the Withernsea Lighthouse Museum.

Compared to many coastal towns, Chapel St Leonards offers reasonably priced homes, with average property prices coming in £214,802.

However, even cheaper alternatives within the vicinity are available, namely, Skegness.

Across Skegness, the average cost of a home is just £202,559.

Zak Lawrence, a property specialist at SmoothSale, told This is Money: 'Skegness is becoming an increasingly attractive option for buyers thanks to its unbeatable combination of affordability and location.

'With property prices significantly lower than the national average, buyers and investors can get more for their money.'