When it comes to finding a place to live that’s got plenty of sun, the UK might not be the first place that comes to mind. Our reputation for rainy weather and grey skies means several Brits have chosen to seek out the sun abroad. Each year, cities like Alicante in Spain and Portugal’s Algarve coast continue to draw in British expats thanks to their affordable property and promise of good weather.
Moving abroad can be a lengthy and costly process, however, especially with changes to EU border controls and new immigration laws introduced. While the UK might not be your first choice to unwind in the sun, it doesn’t mean it’s not an option worth considering, and one Essex borough was even crowned the driest part of the UK. Plus, relocating across to another part of the country instead of to a brand new one is often a more straightforward process, and there’s one county in the UK that’s officially the sunniest.
A popular holiday destination loved by Brits for its mild climate and pristine beaches, and home to a former royal residence that belonged to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, who also shared a love for it, the Isle of Wight is the sunniest county in the UK.
The research comes from the over-50s property specialists, Regency Living, who compared average house prices in the UK with weather data from the Met Office to find the sunniest place to buy a house in the UK.
On average, the UK enjoys just over three hours of daily sunshine, but the Isle of Wight basks in a glorious five hours of sunshine a day, making it the only UK county to surpass the five-hour mark.
The property specialists also worked out just how much you’ll be paying for sunshine, and with a current average house price of £257,170, buyers in the Isle of Wight pay an equivalent of £835 for every hour of daily sunshine.
This might sound like a lot, but with £271,415 the average house price in the UK, most homeowners are paying a staggering £1,190 for just three hours of sun.
With over 25 beaches and 60 miles of coastline, there’s no shortage of opportunity to soak up the sun on the Isle of Wight. One of the best-known stretches of golden sand, a four-bedroom house near Shanklin Beach is currently listed for £260,000.
But if you’re looking to stay within budget, a two-bedroom bungalow with views over the dramatic cliffs of Alum Bay is available for £254,000, or for something less remote, a two-bedroom flat in the seaport town of Cowes is on Rightmove for £250,000.
For uninterrupted seaviews, there’s also a one-bedroom ground-floor flat for sale for just £200,000, meaning you can get even more sunshine for your money.
