The beautiful seaside town that doesn't flash its wealth around like Sandbanks or Salcombe

Forget the flash of Sandbanks or the celebrity sparkle of Salcombe - Lymington is different. This Georgian market town on the edge of the New Forest is quietly, almost stubbornly, genteel. Yet behind its cobbled quays, sailing clubs and lively Saturday market lies a truth: it is one of the most expensive places in the country to call home.

The average house price here is around £608,000, making it the South East's priciest seaside spot and the fifth most expensive in Britain. But Lymington wears its wealth differently. There are no champagne-soaked nightclubs or trophy penthouses. Instead, its currency is heritage, community and a coastal lifestyle so complete that those who live here rarely want to leave.

"Despite the price, I wouldn't move," says Adam Stote, 55, who recently downsized into a property in Captain's Road.

"It's a conservation area, walking distance to the beach. You can't put a value on that. I live next to an empty second home and I hope that changes - this place should be lived in."

Much of Lymington's magic lies in its setting. The Solent sparkles with yachts, the river bristles with masts, and the New Forest pushes in from behind, giving the town a rare mix of coast and countryside.

Homes range from Georgian townhouses and Victorian terraces to sleek apartments with views over the water, each commanding a premium born of scarcity.

But unlike other hotspots, Lymington feels lived in, not just looked at.

"We love it here," says Steve Harding, 71, visiting with his granddaughter Millie from nearby Ashurst. "It's got the quay, the waterfront walks, and shops that have lasted. We come every fortnight. It's a proper town."

Strolling down the High Street on market day, the town comes alive with stalls of artisan bread, fresh fish and bric-a-brac, while tucked-away courtyards hold indie bookshops and art galleries.

For culture, there's the St Barbe Museum and the long-running Lymington Players theatre group. For food, everything from hearty pubs to Michelin-recommended fine dining at The Elderflower on cobbled Quay Hill.

And then, of course, there's the outdoors: crabbing on the quay, cycling into the forest, paddleboarding on the river, or splashing in the historic sea water baths. It's the kind of coastal lifestyle that feels lifted from another era, but with just enough sophistication to keep it timeless.

Michael Burkmar, who has sold more than £250 million of Lymington property through his family estate agency, believes the appeal is obvious.

He explains: "It's a thriving Georgian market town with sailing and hiking on the doorstep. Families are moving down from London, retirees love it here, and the market brings a real buzz."

But unlike other million-pound seaside enclaves, Lymington doesn't flaunt its status. There are no supercars revving on the seafront, no paparazzi chasing locals down cobbled lanes. The town is quietly confident, but never showy.

And perhaps that is why it's priceless to those who live here. As Stote puts it simply: "This is home."