Homeowners in areas other than London have watched as their property values have declined along with house prices.  There are areas however that have earned their owners a payoff increase in property value by an average of £110,000 in just the past decade.  This amounts to more than £900 a month.  These properties are in the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) within England. 

According to the data collected on the 32 AONBs the average house prices have risen by 87% in the last 10 years.  The average house price for these areas is £235,215.  The data on the investment return for homeowners in these areas comes from a report from Lloyds TSB.

House prices doubled in the past decade in some of the AONBs areas which were: Solway Coast in Cumbria at 124.5%, Northumberland Coast at 123.8%, Kent Downs 115%, and Forest of Bowland at 107%.  The areas of Dedham Vale on the Suffolk-Essex border increased in value by 61% and the North Wessex Downs by 66%.

"The value of homes within areas of outstanding natural beauty has risen substantially over the past decade," said Suren Thiru, Housing Economist, Lloyds TSB.

She added, “The relatively high property values in many of these locations reflect the quality of life benefits associated with living in some of our most idyllic beauty spots. However, the fact that property prices have typically risen considerably faster than average earnings has created significant affordability difficulties for many of those living and working in such locations."

The most expensive average house price was £407,568 in Surrey Hills.  This was followed by £329,441 as an average house price in High Weald.