The cost of buying a beach hut in the UK has reached an all-time high, as holidaymakers plan blow-out summer staycations after months of being cooped up indoors.
Hotel booking platform Hoo found that Brits will now have to fork out more than £36,000 to buy one of the multicoloured wooden sheds, with three huts in Mudeford, Dorset, selling for a whopping £325,000. International travel plans might still be on hold, but this hasn't stopped people from making the most of their holidays on home turf.
"The prospect of another summer of staycations has seen beach hut sale prices soar. Demand for beach huts is pushing up prices as holidaymakers invest in their own piece of beach hut bricks and mortar," Adrian Murdock, Hoo co-founder, told Yahoo! Finance.
"A 41% uplift in the last year alone is pretty considerable although as with any property investment, location is key when it comes to both the price achieved and the property's rental potential."
Elsewhere in their findings, they also discovered that the average daily rate of renting a beach hut now sits at £52 — a -4.1% drop when compared to the cost of renting last year. If you're looking to rent one this summer, Bournemouth is the most affordable spot (£26 a day), while Mudeford in Dorset tops the list with the most expensive rentals at £130 per day.
Estate agent Jo Tyler at Belton Duffey in North Norfolk also saw a spike in demand. She said: "Demand has probably doubled for beach huts this year in the wake of the pandemic. It seems that because a lot more people are out and about locally, they are spotting the beach huts and enquiring about buying them.
"They've always been popular but even more so now, people want to enjoy the outside spaces and have somewhere to visit. There isn't really an average type of buyer, although a lot of families like them, or retired couples. Some are also purchased by holiday let owners as part of their accommodation offering alongside a house."
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11 pretty picnic blankets for outdoor dining in style
This M&S foldaway picnic rug leans into the popular 1970s interior trend with its punchy colour combination and retro-inspired chequered print.
Pair it with the matching serving tray and snack bowls for a coordinated dining scheme.
This blanket’s tropical print makes it a fitting choice for summer — mainly as it’s reminiscent of sunny holidays relaxing on the beach.
Earthy tones will complement the green motif, so style it with a woven picnic basket and wooden dinnerware for a rustic look.
This blanket, part of Dunelm’s ongoing collaboration with the National History Museum, is designed to celebrate the wonders of the natural world.
Its vibrant print will create a cheerful and inviting atmosphere for garden gatherings and family picnics. Style it with simple, minimalist tableware so that the eye-catching pattern remains the focal point.
This blanket’s rainbow stripes add a modern twist to the classic Herringbone pattern, making for a stand-out piece.
Mismatched dinnerware in various colours will add to the fun, or stick to neutral accessories to make the multi-coloured print pop.
Mountain Warehouse’s patterned picnic blanket is ideal for camping or hiking — it's lightweight, easy to carry around and folds up compactly.
Its playful puppy print will appeal to dog lovers, whether you’re treating yourself or gifting a fellow pet owner.
This hardy picnic blanket is both stylish and practical, allowing you to set up your meal just about anywhere! It's lightweight and can roll up into a bag meaning it's easy to move around. And it's also waterproof, meaning no one needs to get soggy if you're sat on damp grass or sand.
Helpfully, there's also a hole in the middle for a parasol or umbrella, and best of all, this can be machine washed.
Experts in teatime treats and alfresco dining, Fortnum & Mason knows how to make a quality picnic blanket.
In the luxury department store's signature Eau De Nil colourway, this one is crafted from pure new wool — a durable fabric that can withstand frequent use and is naturally resistant to odours, making it easy to clean and maintain.
Pair it with a famous Fortnum’s food hamper for a fancy picnic.
Beachwear brand BukawaSwim has meticulously considered every detail on this picnic blanket, from using upcycled materials and non-toxic dyes to its citrus design inspired by the French Riveria.
It's also reversible, so you can easily switch between the pretty orange design and a neutral green, while the tasselled border adds some extra texture and interest.
Oliver Bonas is one of our go-to retailers for eclectic, quirky homeware — so, naturally, we can’t resist the brand’s outdoor collection. This picnic rug, complete with a playful checked pattern and contrasting colours, will add a splash of colour to any alfresco setup.
For a fresh and modern look, style it with white or grey dinnerware — or embrace the colourful aesthetic by adding pops of pink and yellow to your picnic arrangement.
At two metres long, this extra large picnic blanket will allow you to spread out food, drinks and other picnic essentials without feeling cramped. Its sand-proof backing makes it suitable for beach days, making it easy to brush off excess sand once you pack up – and it's very affordable, too.
Lisa Joyner is the Deputy Daily Editor at House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, where she's busy writing about home and interiors, gardening, dog breeds, pets, health and wellbeing, countryside news, small space inspiration, and the hottest properties on the market. Previously, she has written for Conde Nast Traveller, House & Garden and Marie Claire magazine. Lisa studied at University For The Creative Arts, where she completed a BA in Fashion Journalism.
