Which areas of Norfolk have the most second homes?

Data from the 2021 Census which has just been released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows parts of west and north Norfolk are among the most popular locations for the bolthole brigade.

It says 130 per 1,000 properties in Brancaster, Burnham Market and Docking are second homes, along 109 per 1,000 in Wells and Blakeney and 103 per 1,000 in Hunstanton.

Only parts of the South Hams in Devon, with 171 per 1,000 homes and Gwynedd in North Wales, with 153 per 1,000 ranked higher.

The ONS says the figures do not include properties used solely as holiday lets, meaning the number of homes not used as primary residences is likely to be far higher.

Some 13pc of properties in Brancaster are second homes (Image: Ian Burt)

"Census 2021 data on second addresses only include people who usually reside in England and Wales who said they spend at least 30 days a year at the address," it says.

"The total number of second addresses used as holiday homes, and people who use them, are likely to be higher."

Data shows around 40pc of people using second homes travelled less than 100km to stay in them.

Some 47pc of those who travel to homes in North Norfolk were from the East of England, while 15pc came from London, where one in 100 people said they used a second address as a holiday home.

The village of Docking is another second homes hotspot (Image: Ian Burt)

The highest percentage came from Kensington and Chelsea, where almost 6pc of residents have a pied a terre.

The number of well-heeled weekenders from London have earned the Burnhams the nickname of Chelsea-on-Sea.

Just over 10pc of properties in Hunstanton are second homes (Image: Chris Bishop)

Figures for the number of holiday lets and properties which are not principal residences are due to be released in October.

The ONS said: "It will provide a brief descriptive analysis of the properties that are used as second homes. It will also look at the distribution of holiday homes."