Lap up the joy of waterside living
ALONGSIDE the River Thames in London, where there were once abandoned docks, disused warehouses and crumbling industrial buildings there are now gleaming apartment blocks, landscaped gardens, restaurants, bars and cafes.
The transformation of the river frontage over the past few decades has been incredible, and similar projects have also happened in other major cities such as Manchester, Birmingham and Liverpool.
And the trend does not stop there. Smaller cities and towns are increasingly seeing waterfront developments. It’s not surprising. A survey for property website Rightmove found that eight of Britain’s top ten places to live were waterside locations. And it all ties in with growing evidence that being close to water is good for us, as highlighted by marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols.
His 2014 book Blue Mind argued that being near, on, in and even under water makes us happier and healthier.
His research found that proximity to water releases a number of stressrelieving hormones, increasing our sense of wellbeing.
One recent development in a smaller city is Bath Riverside, on the banks of the River Avon and close to the city centre. Prices range from £495,000 to £1.25million for an array of properties built by Crest Nicholson, from studios to four-bedroom homes. Just across the river from the development is the Royal Victoria Park, a green area that includes botanical gardens, a children’s playground and tennis courts.
Crest Nicholson is also responsible for Centenary Quay in Southampton, next to the River Itchen, where prices start at £295,000, or from £236,000 with the Government’s Help To Buy scheme.
An example of the trend for such developments spreading into towns can be found in Taunton, Somerset. There, Firepool Lock – overlooking the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal – has a mix of apartments, houses and waterfront villas.
The scheme is part of the regeneration of Taunton town centre.
For those who prefer to have their ‘water fix’ in shorter doses on holidays, there are places such as Coast View Holiday Park in Devon. Situated on a hilltop, it has spectacular views of Babbacombe Bay, and overlooks the Teign Estuary between Shaldon and Teignmouth. The Shaldon-Teignmouth ferry is believed to be the oldest passenger service in England – crossings date back to Saxon times.
There are two-bedroom properties available to buy off-plan for £99,000, and existing two-bedroom, twobathroom homes from £189,000.
At Medmerry Park, on the West Sussex coast between Selsey and East Wittering, there are bungalows for sale for as little as £10,500, and the nearby beach stretches for seven miles.
Such is the attraction of being by the water that another park uses the word in its name. Waterside Holiday Park & Spa in Weymouth, Dorset, allows people to rent properties from £235 a week, while for those wishing to buy, prices start at just £17,950.
A study by the European Centre for Environment and Human Health found that people who live closer to Britain’s coastline are healthier than those who reside inland, partly because coastal air is charged by negative ions, which allows the body to more easily absorb oxygen. This, in turn, makes it easier to sleep.
It is information not lost on Lodge Retreats, which has properties at four coastal locations across Britain – in Northumberland, the Lake District, East Yorkshire and Devon. Properties cost from £176,000.