When it comes to choosing a dreamy destination for your next UK staycation, there are many fabulous features to choose between, from bubbling hot tubs to outstanding sea views. But if it’s true coastal decadence you’re looking for, you simply can’t beat a holiday cottage with direct access to the beach.
Oh yes, whether it’s early morning dips before breakfast or BBQs with sun-kissed sundowners, having a beach on the doorstep is something we could easily get used to. Enjoy a range of fun-filled watersports at your fingertips (we even have a few cottages that boast their very own mooring), spend your days snoozing on the sun-warmed sand, or use your coastal locale as a starting point to a myriad of waterside wanders. However you like to spend your easy-reach beach day, these charming cottages will have you settled in the sand before you can say, “Fancy a swim?”
Hallane Mill
Charlestown, Cornwall | Sleeps 4
Best for: Romantic retreats by the sea
Nestled in a pretty dip in the cliffs, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a cottage that’s closer to the sea than Hallane Mill (that is, without waking up to waves lapping at your toes). The beautiful stone cottage sleeps four and enjoys total seclusion in its little oasis on the south Cornish coast, making it perfect for romantic getaways with your special someone. Spend your days soaking up the peaceful surrounds on Hallane beach, exploring the surrounding coastal paths, or curled up in the window seat gazing out to sea.
Beachside
Ventnor, Isle of Wight | Sleeps 6
Best for: Sleek and stylish seaside living
The name says it all with beautiful Beachside on the Isle of Wight. The wonderfully contemporary cottage offers uninterrupted views across Ventnor Bay from the reverse level layout, and one of the Island’s most popular beaches is right on your doorstep. A host of cafés, restaurants (including Michelin recommended The Hambrough), and shops await nearby, providing endless opportunities to soak up the seaside charms of Ventnor before returning to your beachside retreat for a glass of something special on the sun-soaked terrace.
Varcoe
Portscatho, Cornwall | Sleeps 10
Best for: Waterside al fresco dining
Nestled on the tranquil Roseland Peninsula, Varcoe enjoys blissful coastal views with instant access to the beach below, promising all manner of coastal delights. Cover the large outdoor table with all your favourite foods for some al fresco dining, head onto the coastal path that runs past the bottom of the garden, or wait for high tide and enjoy a refreshing swim from your very own access point – perfect! The pretty village of Portscatho is a short walk away too, so you can make the most of everything this charming corner of South Cornwall has to offer.
Rose on the Cliff
Helford, Cornwall
Best for: Dog-friendly beach days
With the serene waters of Gillan Cove on your doorstep, Rose on the Cliff basks in uninterrupted views across the peaceful waters of the creek. There are only a few properties with access to the secluded beach below, creating a near-private haven by the water’s edge. Open plan living and 180-degree views await inside, while a charming patio promises creek-side dining aplenty. The beautiful cottage and beach are both totally dog-friendly all year round too, so you can bring the whole pack for a glorious waterside stay near the Helford River.
Peveril
Morfa Nefyn, Gwynedd | Sleeps 6
Best for: Coastal walks
One of a handful of cottages in the pretty village of Morfa Nefyn to sit happily on the edge of the beach, Peveril is a sand-adjacent paradise we can’t get enough of. The beautifully restored fisherman’s cottage is the picture of welcoming charm, with a wood-burner waiting to warm you up after wintry strolls along the beach and a stunning patio for refreshing sundowners and leisurely breakfasts before heading to the beach. Nestled on the incredible Llyn Peninsula in Wales, Peveril is perfectly placed to explore the surrounding Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or the mesmerising Snowdonia National Park behind – both full of a myriad of breathtaking walks and things to do.
The Chalet on the Beach
Lyme Regis, Dorset | Sleeps 2
Best for: Fossil hunting at your fingertips
Forget seashells, it’s chalets you’ll find on this seashore! Oh yes, The Chalet on the Beach is aptly named as it enjoys an enviable location on one of Dorset’s best beaches. Famed the world over for its fossil hunting opportunities, Monmouth beach makes for a dreamy doormat, with the coastal delights of Lyme Regis a short walk away – perfect for some waterside wining and dining. The chalet itself is full of character and charm, making it the perfect bolthole for a romantic getaway – where else can you drift off with the actual ocean lulling you to sleep!
Sundown
Kingsand, Cornwall | Sleeps 12
Best for: Sundowners overlooking the ocean
With only a lawn and the beach between you and the glittering sea, Sundown is the perfect place to – well – enjoy a sundowner! Enjoy the sparkling views from bed, the balcony, or the sun-soaked patio, before strolling down the garden and padding onto the beach for the real thing – nothing beats the feeling of sand between the toes and the sun on your face. With the pretty twin villages of Kingsand and Cawsand a short stroll away, and the natural beauty of the Rame Peninsula all around, there’s plenty to see and do during your seaside stay at Sundown.
Meadowcliff
Shaldon, Devon | Sleeps 14
Best for: Big groups
Backed by rolling green fields and overlooking the gentle estuary, Meadowcliff promises a rather spectacular setting for your next group stay. Dog-friendly, and boasting a hot tub, games room, and outdoor play area – not to mention a veritable rainbow of colours throughout the incredibly styled interiors – this big and beautiful home-from-home has something for every holiday taste. Launch a kayak from the estuary beach at the bottom of the garden or walk to nearby Shaldon along the sand at low tide – the choice is yours!
Number 4 Sea View
Marazion, Cornwall | Sleeps 4
Best for: Iconic views
Enjoying views across Mount’s Bay and beyond, Number 4 Sea View promises a wonderfully iconic backdrop – after all, St Michael’s Mount is a pretty outstanding sight to wake up to, especially for fans of TV’s House of the Dragon! Below the beautifully presented cottage, a quiet beach gives you easy access to Cornish waters, while the varied delights of West Cornwall stretch out around Marazion, promising an ever-changing playground of beautiful beaches, epic stomps, and lots of lip-smacking pubs (partaking in a Sunday roast is always recommended).
St Catherine’s House
Tenby, Pembrokeshire | Sleeps 16
Best for: Blue Flag beaches and balconies
Perched atop one of Tenby’s five glorious Blue Flag beaches, this cliff-top retreat knows how to put on a coastal show. St Catherine’s House is a stunning Georgian townhouse that’s been lovingly restored, while keeping gentle nods to the building’s period past. There are multiple outdoor seating options to choose from, including a stunning balcony that overlooks St Catherine’s Island and the sweeping golden sands of the beach, which can be accessed via some steps at the back of the property – perfect for early morning dips in the sea!
Captain Blake’s Retreat
Whitsand Bay, Cornwall | Sleeps 2
Best for: Off-grid relaxation
Perched on the cliffs above the mammoth sands of Whitsand Bay, Captain Blake’s Retreat is delightfully off-grid. You arrive by foot along the South West Coast Path, enjoying reaching sea views as you go, before settling into your clifftop retreat where sea birds and the occasional pod of dolphins are your only neighbours. Whitsand Bay is dog-friendly all year round and boasts an impressive 4 miles in length, providing endless opportunities for dog walks and beach days (there’s an outside shower to ensure none of the golden sand follows you home).
Eager to pack up the flip flops and ball games and head to the beach? Explore our sun-soaked collection of cottages near the beach for a wonderfully coastal stay in the UK.
