PROPERTY prices in Christchurch have seen one of the biggest rises nationally, with an increase in value of £21,782 in 2020, new data shows.

British real estate company Zoopla revealed the average value of a home in the UK rose by £10,177 in 2020.

However, house prices in Christchurch ranked in sixth place nationally with an increase of £59.51 per day, or £21,782 in 2020.

This is a stark rise in house prices, compared to an average increase in the South West of £31.89 per day or £11,671 annually.

Despite the rollercoaster year caused by Covid, and the subsequent lockdowns, average housing values increased in all parts of the country in 2020.

Properties in England enjoyed the highest increase in value per day with an upsurge of £30.16, followed by Wales (£23.79), Northern Ireland (£15.23) and Scotland (£12.04).

The average UK property increased in value by £27.81 per day in 2020, a substantial increase from £8.64 per day in 2019.

Homes in Windsor in South East England ranked in first place, with an increase in value of £29,063 in 2020, equating to an increase of £79.41 per day.

With its great transport links to London and royal connections, the historic market town has long been seen as a desirable place to live.

Other locations that feature in the top ten and are within a commuting distance to London include Winchester in Hampshire, St Albans and Bishops Stortford in Hertfordshire.

Head of Research at Zoopla Gráinne Gilmore said: “The housing market has been one of the bright spots of the economy in this otherwise uncertain year.

“The ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ reassessment among a large cohort of homeowners around how and where they want to live has led to strong levels of demand since the end of the first lockdown.

“The data reflects an increased demand for additional indoor and outdoor space, and some rural locations have seen a rise in activity levels as those no longer constrained by a daily commute look for a different style of living.

“These factors, coupled with the stamp duty holiday, has led to one of the busiest Christmas housing markets in a decade, and has underpinned price rises of nearly 4 per cent this year.”