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16 heavenly holiday cottages with direct beach access
From Tenby to the Isle of Wight, these are the beachfront holiday cottages to book
When the weather is warm, we like nothing better than cooling off with a dip in the sea and soaking up the atmosphere along a promenade – preferably with an ice cream in hand. There's nothing like the great British seaside and checking in to a holiday cottage with direct beach access is an excellent way to get your coastal fix on a staycation.
A stay in a beachfront holiday home allows you to wake up to lapping waves and have the perfect base for early morning coastal walks or runs by the sea. Whether it's a pebbly stretch or golden sand, having direct access to the beach is what coastal dreams are made of. It means you won't need to travel very far for long days at the beach and can spend as long as you like soaking up that vitamin D.
It's not just us people who can benefit from a holiday rental with a seafront location either as dogs will love running straight from your cottage onto the beach and into the sea. That's why, we've searched two of our favourite rental websites, Holidaycottages.co.uk and Airbnb, to find the places couples, families, solo travellers and friends will love, as well as some dog-friendly cottages for your four-legged friend, too.
From the Isle of Wight to Tenby, here are the UK's best holiday cottages with direct beach access.
Bracklesham Bay, East Wittering
This bright, breezy apartment is situated on the beach at Bracklesham Bay and offers incredible sea views, stretching all the way over to the Isle of Wight. It's on the second floor and features one double bedroom with a small ensuite shower room and one twin – making it perfect for a family trip to the seaside. It's close to Chichester harbour and the South Downs if you'd prefer to explore a little inland – though it will be hard to leave that mesmerising view.
Sleeps: 4
Crows Nest, Isle of Wight
Crows Nest is a top floor hideaway with front row seats to the beach. Set into the roof of a handsome old house, it has its own private entrance reached by an outdoor wooden staircase. The star here is the balcony and its striking triangular wall of glass, framing the water like a living postcard. Open the doors and you are right there with the salt air and sound of the tide below.
Sleeps: 2
Lilliput, Dorset
For a luxury beach stay, look no further than this modern three-storey, five-bedroom detached house with beautiful harbour views. It offers direct access to the water, so makes an ideal launch pad for paddle boarding and kayaking adventures. Meanwhile, two of the five bedrooms have sea views and share a lovely balcony for taking it all in, and the open-plan kitchen diner on the third floor is just as good a vantage point.
Sleeps: 8
The Cabin, Pembrokeshire
On the western tip of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, this timber cabin is truly hidden away – you could easily miss it because of the environmentally friendly turf roof, which merges into the beautiful hill on which the property sits. The garden gate opens out directly onto the coast path, leading down to beautiful Whitesands beach. There's a comfortable double bedroom as well as bunks in the hallway, making this perfect for a family (well-behaved dogs are welcome too).
Sleeps: 4
Neptune, South West Wales
Neptune is a striking upside down coastal townhouse in the heart of Saundersfoot, set within a former church. The living spaces are designed to draw in the views, with a light filled split level sitting area opening on to a balcony that frames Monkstone Point. Outside, two decked and balcony areas stretch the living space into the open air. One set up for laid back suppers with a gazebo and barbecue, the other lifting you above Saundersfoot for wide bay views. A private hot tub seals the deal for evenings under the stars.
Sleeps: 10
Beach 221, Kent
Planning a trip to Whitstable? Beach 221 in the nearby village of Seasalter is a beachfront cottage just steps away from the water. If being directly on the beach is high on your list, then this colourful holiday home won't disappoint. The light-filled holiday home has a great decked area for you to relax with uninterrupted views of the sea and there's excellent open-plan living inside with a loft-style mezzanine for you to always feel close to the beach.
Sleeps: 2
Seafront Serenity, Isle of Wight
Right on Sandown’s seafront promenade, this spacious apartment puts the beach just across the path and sea views front and centre from its patio. Inside, the open plan living space is bright and unfussy, with a neat kitchen flowing into relaxed dining and lounging areas made for easy evenings in. It works well for families or a proper seaside get together with friends, thanks to three bedrooms, one double, one twin and a family room.
Sleeps: 8
Regent Cottage, Suffolk
A homely holiday cottage with direct beach access in Aldeburgh, this charming seafront rental has three bedrooms and bright interiors, with gorgeous sea views throughout. It's set over three floors and is right opposite the beach in the centre of the lovely coastal town. Regent Cottage has plenty of space for families to relax. There's also a double bedroom with a balcony overlooking the beach and a utility room, cloakroom and downstairs shower room for those coming directly from the beach.
Sleeps: 7
Stonihoe, Kent
For a quirky holiday cottage by the sea, look no further than his converted railway carriage in weird but wonderful Dungeness, known as Britain's only desert. Nestled on the shingle stretch in this unusual location, Stonihoe has its own character, with an original water pump, a curved beamed ceiling and a telescope for you to admire the clear night sky. The decked area outside is perfect for alfresco evenings with a glass of wine, while the dining table is next to the bi-folding doors for you to experience indoor-outdoor feasts when the weather is warm.
Sleeps: 4
Scandi Beach, West Sussex
You can enjoy unobstructed views of the sea and the Downs in this striking Scandinavian-inspired spot on the beach at Shoreham-by-sea. With floor-to-ceiling windows and an award-winning wooden design, this is a top choice for design fans who want a holiday cottage with access to the beach. Inside, the six bedrooms are airy and spacious, as is the stylish dining and seating areas, with plenty of room for everyone to lounge around in.
Sleeps: 16
Appledore - Sea Escape, Devon
Head for North Devon to stay at this beach bolthole that's ideal for families or a group of friends. Appledore - Sea Escape sits right by the water in the fishing village of Appledore, where you can make the most of panoramic sea views and a sandy beach outside your front door (at low tide). The modern interior includes four bedrooms, a superb terrace area with the mater suite and a great space for dining together. There's a garage and plenty of space for bikes and boots, too.
Sleeps: 8
Sandy Cove, Cornwall
We adore the amazing views of the bay from this beachfront rental in Portmellon. A beautiful base in South Cornwall, Sandy Cove is a dog-friendly retreat just 10 feet from the sandy beach. Also just a few steps away is a traditional pub serving food and real ale, and lovely village Mevagissey, with more pubs, shops and restaurants, is also a short walk from the cottage with direct beach access. The interior of the seaside accommodation is just as impressive, featuring a lounge/dining area with a wood burner and views, a sun room to relax in and an outdoor wet room for sandy toes.
Sleeps: 8
Wave Crest, East Sussex
Offering direct access to the long stretch of beach at Pevensey Bay, Wave Crest is out kind of holiday cottage. The large rental is Edwardian from the outside, with contemporary Scandi decor. Set right on the shingle beach, it has its own private garden on the pebbles and plenty of spaces for you to enjoy its fabulous setting. There's a cosy lounge, dining space for all the family, inviting bedrooms and all the essentials for beach picnics are provided, too.
Sleeps: 10
The Heacham House, Norfolk
This two-storey holiday rental in Heacham offers direct entry to the sand and is a great spot for families and friends. The Heacham House is dog friendly, is close to superb coastal walks and is ideal for paddleboarders to take o the water. Inside the holiday cottage with direct beach access, there's open plan living, French doors that lead onto the balcony and, of course, excellent views. Watching the magnificent sunset from the cottage is a must-do.
Sleeps: 6
Cliff Retreat, Cornwall
"Breathtaking views, beautiful comfortable accommodation… an unforgettable experience." The words of a former guest of this stunning cliff retreat are perhaps its most compelling advert. But so too are the images of the incredible views of the sea you'll get from this striking spot on the fringe of the village of Millbrook in southeast Cornwall. There are two lovely bedrooms and a spacious decking area, but the highlight has to be the direct beach access offered here. Do note that the property (and beach) are accessed on steep cliff paths and steps – but it's more than worth the climb.
Sleeps: 4
The Surf Shack, East Sussex
Hidden among former coastguard cottages at Jury’s Gap in East Sussex, The Surf Shack is a snug cabin for two just 80 metres from the beach. Once the old wash house, it is now a rough luxe bolthole with a wood burning stove for windy nights and a sun trapped garden for lazy summer evenings. Dog friendly and set against a sweep of protected shoreline, it is made for couples chasing sea air and big skies.
Sleeps: 2
Roshina is a contributing editor to Hearst UK. She was previously Senior Travel Editor, where she covered titles including Country Living, Red, ELLE, Harper's Bazaar and Good Housekeeping.
When she's not scoping out the next destinations we should explore (Uzbekistan, the Austrian Alps, Tbilisi), she loves revisiting old favourites (Mauritius, the Dolomites, Istanbul) and spending summer in the mountains - especially when hiking or wrapped in a spa robe.
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