Beachfront Holiday Homes Best by a Mile

When it comes to booking your beach holiday, deciding on a destination and selecting a location that delivers the best experience for you and your family, group of friends or partner just has to be smack bang on the beachfront. Now whilst the price tag for beachfront cottages or villas doesn't always agree with everyone’s budget, you might be surprised at how affordable it could be.

When staying in beachfront holiday homes, in many cases, there is no need for a car, so you save on car-hire, the cost of fuel and of course the bane of every beach holidaymaker… parking! Then there is no real need for to eat out at beach restaurants for dinner or lunch. You can even save on restaurants and enjoy private dining with sea views without the service charge!

And when you're situated right on the beachfront, this premium and privileged location eliminates any 'need' to compensate with additional entertainment. Then of course there’s the advantage that your watersports gear is a lot easier to carry onto the beach.

There are also many non-financial benefits to beachfront holidays including falling asleep to the sound of waves or the exhilaration of a cheeky skinny dip when the beach is empty.

Whether you choose the UK or Europe there are countless beachfront properties available to suit a range of budgets and group sizes. There are the beachfront villas and apartments in Greece with their classic white-wash and colourful shutters, the frontline beach villas in France that sit on wild dunes draped with surfers and the traditional and modern beachfront cottages in England ideal for families, groups or couples on a romantic escape. 

Personally, if you're ideal holiday requires sunny and exotic climes then the Greek Islands is a safe bet every time and offers fabulous Greek style beachfront villas. There are plenty of affordable beach homes on the seafront in places like the Ionian Islands of Corfu, Paxos and Kefalonia; and because your booking villas, as opposed to a hotel, you're generally off the beaten track, rather than being stuck with the masses in a tourist hotspot.

Corfu is the largest and offers the most variety and quantity of beachfront accommodation, many of which is located in off the radar destinations. That said, the smaller islands of Paxos and Kefalonia provide a more intimate encounter with local cultures and their beaches are very much idyllic and less crowded. They just take a little longer to get to but the end result is worth it.

For you Francophiles who love a little refined culture and cuisine with their holidays, then we definitely recommend the Aquitaine coastline. This coast is filled with ocean fishing towns, wild dunes and pine lined surf beaches... many that offer a range of beachfront houses to rent. Many of the resorts and coastal towns along the South West Coast of France are surrounded by national parks, nature reserves and lake districts.

Places such as Biarritz have beachfront homes right in the heart of its sassy surf culture. Some still enjoy and air of what was once a royal resort. The trendy beach town of Hossegor claims some of the world's best waves and a great family holiday resort for those who like to mix surf and culture. Next door Seignosse offers more of the same on a smaller scale but with a bigger dollop of bucolic charm. And further north lie two more gorgeous surfing hangouts of Mimizan and Biscarrosse, which are surrounded by pine forests and lakes.

Last but not least are the trendy havens of French chic, Arcachon and Cap Ferret, where beautiful people enjoy a big dose of the gorgeous Atlantic elements and copious amounts of wine and oysters. Here there is balneotherapy, tones of outdoor activity and the epic Dune du Pilat, a colossal dune that takes your breath away as much for its height and as for its views.

Now there are those of you who think, why go abroad when we have all of this and more at home and just the way we like it. There is more than enough summer sun along the UK Coast to enjoy plenty of sparkling days on the beach, especially down south in Dorset, Devon or Cornwall. And because there is a need for back-up entertainment in these cooler climes, there are so many other add-ons and extras to explore. This is especially great for families with young kids who need to be on the go all the time. Well in Dorset they are in for a treat with a Jurassic coastline filled with the remains of ancient creepy crawlies.

Places like Bournemouth or Poole, two grand historic towns which offer every kind of water-sport and cultural attraction you can imagine, are great for families who need to cater for all ages and offer plenty of coastal holiday cottages or apartments to rent. Weymouth is another beachside location that is great for families who need holiday activities at very affordable prices. Younger families might prefer places like Lyme Regis which lies close to the border of Devon, so a great base to enjoy plenty more fishing towns and landscapes.

Now Devon is a destination no one should go without experiencing. Whether you choose the wild northern coast and sample the Atlantic surf of resorts like cool Croyde, wild Woolacombe or neighbouring Ilfracombe, or base yourself at the quainter seaside town of Appledore, you will love the beachfront homes available for hire. They make it easy for you to immerse yourself in Devon's infamous sea faring charm. If your family is looking for action all the way then the apartments on the beach front at Westward Ho will thrill the whole family no matter what they’re into.

Those who want calmer seas should head for the 'English Riviera' and beyond... classic resorts like Brixham, Paignton and Torquay all offer great properties on the seafront to rent. Equally the waterfront of the old coastal town of Dartmouth or the sweet villages of Torcross or Bigbury on Sea ooze old world Devonian warmth. If you truly love the beachfront you shouldn't leave without experiencing the idyllic beach homes of Saunton Sands or the smaller cottages on the shores of Beesands or Hope Cove, or for that matter East Portlemouth. These are dreamy, quaint and idyllic all at once.

Of course one can't mention Devon without mentioning the neighbouring county of Cornwall, especially given how many beaches it has. When making a decision about where to go, you can either go for the classic open surf beach towns or the quieter more cultural resorts that offer kids plenty to explore. Surfers can either go for up-beat Newquay with its numerous gorgeous surf beaches, or the calmer but trendy Bude with its understated vibe, both of which offer a top range of beachfront accommodation.

Both of these popular seaside boltholes have top waves and provide a birds eye view into the Cornish way of life. A little further south lie the picturesque Atlantic beaches that are reserved for the non-surfing crowd, such as Carbis Bay, Mevagissey and those around St Ives. And if you're looking for cozy coves and beaches away from the masses then nooks like Whitsand Bay or Sennen Cove will do the trick. Some of the most beautiful beachfront holiday homes can be found in the laid back town of Constantine Bay. If it's an air of exclusivity and ambience you’re after then check out the beachfront properties in resorts like Rock, Padstow and St Mawes.

Last but not least is the other quintessential English coastline, Sussex. It may not be Jurassic or filled with cream teas, but it is brazenly British and beautiful. One of the favourites, Brighton, offers all the thrills and spills, whilst its neighbor Hove offers a more family oriented home away from home with magnificent views over the sea.

That said, the top of the pile when it comes to frontline beach pads in Sussex would have to be Camber Sands. The properties are beautiful and literally sit right on the beach. If you’re heading to the Sussex Coast and you really want to splash out and experience the trappings of a five star beachfront holiday home then Angmering on Sea certainly won’t disappoint.