One of the UK’s ‘poshest’ seaside towns dubbed ‘Chelsea-on-sea’ by miffed locals

The great British staycation has become a staple of many people’s summer holidays, especially for the millions of us looking to escape the hustle, bustle and smog of the UK’s urban cities.

Being an island nation, it would only be right to head to the coast, where thousands of picturesque towns and villages line our shores.

One in particular has scooped acclaim for being one of the finest examples around, with its old-school streets lined with postcard Georgian houses and plenty of local boutiques to keep you busy; it’s no wonder Burnham Market in Norfolk has become a bit of a destination for high society.

Being an easy three-hour drive from London, it has become a hotspot for the wealthiest people from the capital looking for some fresh sea air and a peaceful weekend away.

Just three miles away from the stunning Holkham Beach, the Georgian village is constantly coming out on top when it comes to its desirable location close to the seaside, being named as the only Norfolk village in the Times UK’s poshest villages, as well as scooping a title from the Telegraph as one of the poshest places to live.

With London’s upper classes seemingly flocking to the rural village, it has perhaps unceremoniously gained the nickname “Chelsea-on-Sea” with average house prices costing a staggering £826,000.

But it’s not just wealthy West Londoners who have made the trip up to north Norfolk, royalty has also picked up a taste for the town.

Queen Elizabeth’s granddaughter Zara Tindall has even been spotted at the village, taking part in the village's international horse trials, which is no surprise with the Windsors' own home at Sandringham just a couple of miles away.

According to the 2021 census, the village has a permanent population of just 724 people, and with Londoners slowly taking up many of their homes for their summer jaunts away, the people who grew up and live there are becoming priced out.

Like many villages around the country, locals have started to become fed up with the parish council chairman, arguing that there was a “genuine hatred” against the people buying up holiday lets.

Speaking to The Times, he added: “They have turned our beautiful village into something resembling Center Parcs.”

“None of the people who work in the village can afford to live here, we don’t have a village cricket or football team any more.

"Obviously traders in the village benefit massively, and estate agents make a fortune, but there is also a lot of anger.”

But the tiff seems to have escalated the village into a civil war, with a local businessman who owns a popular restaurant, bakery, and boutiques banning the councillor from entering any of his shops.

Speaking to the Eastern Daily Press, Tim Roberts said: “He's not welcome in any of the businesses here. This whole thing has got completely out of hand. He's the chair of the parish council, he shouldn't be inciting hatred - it's just crazy.”