Not many of us are in the habit of taking a regular dip in therapeutic waters. So why are we still so fond of spa towns? New research shows that home buyers are prepared to pay a premium to live in a spa town, with Epsom, Tunbridge Wells, Boston Spa, Bath and Ilkley commanding particularly high property prices.

The survey from Halifax Estate Agents showed that of the eighteen spa towns studied, sixteen had higher average house prices than neighbouring towns in their county. Fifteen out of the eighteen had average house prices above £200,000 and five had seen house prices double since June 2001.

Spa towns tend to rank highly for factors affecting quality of life. Houses are generally larger than average, with plenty of period properties around. Owner occupation rates are also high, indicating that spa towns are places where people like to settle down. Halifax also identified low traffic levels and high employment levels as factors boosting the value of property in the spa towns studied.

A separate study carried out by Haart identified the top external influences affecting property prices across the UK. 250 agents provided information on factors increasing and decreasing property prices.

Positive influences on house prices

Proximity to a mainline tube or railway station came at the top of Haart's list of positive influences, adding an average of 12% to property value. Access to a top state school was found to add 11%. Links to a motorway or a duel carriageway can add 9%, as can nearby green spaces. A vibrant social scene, including restaurants and pubs, increases value by 6%.

Buyers are prepared to pay 4% more to have a top-notch food store nearby. Other high street facilities, such as banks and newsagents, add 3%. Proximity to a sports club or exercise facility raises house prices by 2%, as does having a good NHS hospital close by. A cinema or similar entertainment venue adds 1%.

Negative influences on house prices

The top negative influence on property prices was identified as proximity to run-down and derelict houses, taking off 12%. Late licence music venues and takeaways are also turn-offs for buyers, bringing down prices by 11%. Being near derelict land or an airport flight path reduces value by 9%, while proximity to a waste/refuse station brings prices down by 8%.

A house on a busy road can be worth 8% less than those in quieter areas. Nightmare neighbours should also be avoided since they bring down value by 7%. The importance of education is demonstrated again as poorly rated comprehensive schools reduce house prices by 6%. While transport links are desirable amenities, being too close to a railway line takes 5% off property value. Mobile phone and telecom masts are also unpopular, bringing down prices by 4%.

So how do the top spa towns measure up in terms of these property perks and turn-offs?

Epsom

Epsom's status as a spa town is evident in the name of the famous health product Epsom salts (magnesium sulphate), which were originally prepared by boiling down Epsom's mineral water. The prosperity of the town in the 17th century caused many large, impressive homes to be built.

Epsom came top of the list in the Halifax research, with house prices averaging £297,354. While this is high in a national context, it is about average for prices across the desirable county of Surrey. The area enjoys excellent transport links to the Capital, with the mainline stations of Epsom, Ewell East, Ewell West and Stoneleigh all within an hour of central London.

Easy access to the bright lights of London is contrasted by plenty of peaceful green space. Epsom Common is a 435 acre nature reserve open all year round for walking, picnicking, cycling and horse-riding. There's also the famous Epsom Downs racecourse and numerous golf courses scattered around.

Epsom and Ewell came first in Channel 4's 2005 list of the best places to live in the UK, slipping a few places down to number eight in the 2006 list. The study used crime, education, employment, environment and lifestyle statistics to judge local authorities across the UK.

Tunbridge Wells

"Georgian Elegance, Natural Beauty", boasts the main tourism website of Royal Tunbridge Wells. Perhaps it is these qualities which make property prices here the second highest in all the spa towns covered by Halifax. Prices average £279,987 and are 31% higher than the average property value in Kent.

Tunbridge Wells has been popular with well-heeled buyers since the 18th century. In 1909 King Edward VII gave the town its 'Royal' prefix in recognition of its popularity with royal and aristocratic visitors. Regency architecture makes for fine residential property and also houses stylish shops and prestigious hotels and restaurants. The Michelin-starred Thackerays, in a Grade II-listed building just off the main road, is renowned for its first-rate food and wine.

The town also scores highly for transport links. It's only 30 miles from London and within easy reach of Heathrow airport, Gatwick airport and the south coast.

The Haart survey showed that buyers are prepared to pay more to be near a good school. It seems that living in Tunbridge Wells gives children a good chance of academic success. The area has the fifth best results in the country, with 75.5% of fifteen-year-olds achieving five or more GCSEs at A*-C.