Bricks and mortar have become one of the best investment classes over the past year, according to new research.

The Stripe Property Group says capital appreciation of 9.3 per cent iun the past 12 months places residential property fourth in the list of best investments, ahead of rare whisky, rare coins, designer handbags, classic cars, jewellery, antique furniture and gold.

The only greater returns were the more exotic investments of fine wines, designer watches and fine art.

Stripe’s managing director, James Forrester, says: “The property market has boomed during the pandemic and continues to do so in 2022. As a result, you’ll struggle to have made a better investment in the last year or two.

“While there are a select few investment options that have yielded a larger return, the actual increase in value is likely to have been far lower than the level of capital appreciation seen across the average UK home.

“Property also remains accessible to the masses and those without specialist knowledge or connections within an area such as fine wine or art. Not only is it the most straightforward investment you can make, it’s also one of the safest, as the property market isn’t susceptible to the same erratic, boom and bust nature of other investment options.”

Even the capital appreciation seen in London residential property – an average 4.2 per cent in the past year – exceeds that found in classic cars, jewellery, and antique furniture.

Gold actually fell in value in the past year, by one per cent.