Spring 2025 breaks sunshine records - and adds up to £22K to your garden’s value

The Met Office has reported that Spring 2025 has definitively become the UK’s warmest and sunniest spring since records began in 1884. With a recorded 630 hours of sunshine from 1 March to 27 May, this is 4 hours more than the previous record set in 2020.

This unusually sunny weather has meant more time spent outside, and as such, has transformed gardens across the UK into outdoor havens; especially south‑facing ones.

The south-facing garden: not just a ‘nice to have’

Homes with south‑facing gardens are more than just idyllic during sun-soaked springs; they can also boast financial benefits. Rightmove analysed nearly 400,000 homes and found homes listed with a south facing garden command an average asking price of £22,695 more than properties without a sunny orientation. Against the national average, this is around a 7% premium, or in practice, £369,365, compared to £346,670 for a 3/4-bedroom home.  

Not only do these gardens help to achieve more, but they also sell more quickly. On average, two days quicker across Great Britain and up to eight days faster in regions like Yorkshire & the Humber.  

Our advice  

For sellers: Make the most of the sunshine premium

Highlight garden orientation clearly

• Ensure phrases like “sun-drenched south-facing garden” or “sunny outdoor retreat” feature prominently in your listing.
• Make sure your agent includes this in your online title, bullet points and mentions again on viewings.

Stage your outdoor space

• Treat the garden like an extra room, for example cutting the grass, repaint or replace fences, clean patios, add a table and chairs or even a BBQ.
• Use photos taken during the sunniest times of day to showcase the natural light.

Mention energy savings & lifestyle benefits

• South-facing homes enjoy more natural light, lower lighting costs and warmer rear rooms.
• Emphasise how the garden is perfect for gardening, entertaining, or family play.

Time it right

• Late spring and early summer are peak times to sell gardens; they look their best and feel most valuable during warm weather.

For buyers: Invest smart, especially now

Act quickly on south-facing opportunities

• These properties sell faster, especially in sunny months. If you see one you like, don't delay.

Weigh the premium against long-term benefits

• Yes, you may pay 5–10% more, but the lifestyle benefit and resale value often make it worthwhile.
• Think about long-term use, for example, family BBQs, gardening, energy savings, and even the growing appeal of home offices with light-filled views.

Check the orientation

• Don’t rely only on descriptions. Use tools like Google Maps or a compass app to verify which direction the garden faces.
• Ideally a garden that faces south to southwest for the best sunlight across the day.
• Book a viewing for late afternoon to see where the sun falls when you’re most likely to be sitting out and enjoying time outside.

Factor in the whole package

• A great garden adds value but so does how it's used. Look at the layout, privacy, access and how it connects to the house.

Consider future resale value

• Even if you don’t garden much now, south-facing gardens appeal to many buyers and may sell quicker and for a higher price down the line.

With more people valuing outdoor space, and typical UK weather becoming increasingly unpredictable, a well-positioned, sunny garden isn't just nice, it’s a good investment, both financially and with respect to wellbeing.

Sunshine sells and Spring 2025 has provided it in spades, and the outlook is promising for Summer. Now is the perfect time to get moving and whether you’re listing or looking, our teams are on hand to help you.