Ah… September. When summertime crowds bid white-sanded beaches adieu, seaside villages regain control of their cobbled streets, and the harbour pub can once more accommodate impromptu Saturday night suppers with friends. This is the good time to visit Britain’s coastal corners—and to finally bag that homestay just a few steps from the sea that you’ve had your eye on. Here, we round-up some of the best UK holiday homes with direct beach access, to book for an off-season seaside stay.
Monterey in Cornwall
A beach house plucked from a Hollywood movie it would seem—with showstopping architecture and serene open plan interiors—so close to the beach that its terrace melts into the dunes; the dunes into the sand; and the sand into the sea.
Elemental in Scotland
Sleek and seductive, this design-led Scottish home offers a contemporary twist on the quintessential highland bothy. Oh, and did we mention it comes with two private beaches too? This is a true escape into the wilderness; where salmon fishing and beach barbecues are the order of the day.
Amaia in Cornwall
Suspended above the speckled ocean below, and with private access to the quiet Plaidy Beach cove near Looe, a stay at Amaia feels as though you’re at the ends of the earth. This is true luxury coastal living—where waves can be watched from bed, bath, and beyond.
The Brandy Thief in Devon
Once frequented by a notorious smuggler, this Devon stone cottage now provides a postcard-perfect seaside getaway. Right on the water’s edge, days of rock pooling and sea swimming can be enjoyed at Lee Bay beach, just a stone’s throw from “home.”
Talisman in Cornwall
Breathtaking in both its architecture and frontline position, this is a real one-of-a-kind holiday home with direct access onto the sugar-soft sands of Cornwall’s “Hollywood-on-Sea” Mawgan Porth beach. Plus, there’s a private home spa in the form of an indoor pool, outdoor igloo sauna, and beach-facing ice bath.
Serpentine in Cornwall
So masterfully blended into the cliffside that one could almost miss it, this eco-friendly Cornish home flaunts curved architecture that makes the most of the sweeping beach views. Through the garden gate, guests can wander down to Portwrinkle beach for family-friendly days of sandcastle making and bodyboarding.
Leopoldina in Devon
Designed by celebrated architect John Nash, this historical Devon home lies enveloped by immaculate lawns that roll towards the property’s private shingle beach on the River Dart. Whether seal spotting or kayaking, this impressive home offers guests a true slice of English waterside living.
Solunar in Cornwall
Settled within one of Cornwall’s most exclusive beauty spots, this luxury seaside home flaunts subtropical gardens that lead to a slipway into the water and a private landing stage. So, best bring your yacht to enjoy days out on the famous Carrick Roads, or simply admire the views over a sunset supper on the terrace.
The Spyglass in Cornwall
Originally a fort designed to defend the village of Gorran Haven during Napoleonic times, the purpose of this unique home now is to encourage the kind of deep relaxation that one can only achieve when gazing at the ocean; both majestic in the depths of winter and height of summer. Life at the beach is easy when it's directly beneath your nose.
Feeling inspired? Read our recent owner chronicle about life at the beach, discover the best surfing beaches in the UK and Ireland, or explore the full coastal and waterside collections.
