Stylish UK Resorts by the Sea

The UK is home to numerous first class seaside resorts, attracting the well heeled throughout the year in pursuit of various activities including sailing, fine dining and bird watching to name but a few. Accommodation ranging from luxury apartments on the beachfront for couples to large beach houses with hot tubs sleeping 10 or more ideal for families or group holidays. Check out our handpicked list of stylish seaside resorts and then find the perfect holiday home to suit your needs.

Sandbanks

As its name depicts, Sandbanks is an incredibly beautiful sandy peninsula that crosses the mouth of Poole Harbour on the English Channel in Dorset. Surrounded by shimmering blue waters and golden beaches, this naturally beautiful coastal treasure has become one of the most desirable coastal locations to holiday and live in on the British Isles. Often referred to as the ‘Golden Mile’, ‘UK’s Palm Beach’ or ‘Millionaires Row’, this piece of paradise appeals to the rich and famous due to its secluded location and aesthetic perfection.

Home to the iconic Sandbanks Beach, winner of the Blue Flag award for over 30 years, with its golden sands, endless shallows, crystal clear waters and breath-taking views, this is one of Britain’s best beaches. Families love it for its top-notch restaurants, kids play areas, volley ball, deckchair hire, crazy golf and excellent beach facilities. The Sandbanks cottages and seaside apartments here are some of the most sought-after in the UK, and much more affordable than you may think.

Rye and Camber

The Sussex coastal towns, of Rye and Camber Sands together offer that winning combination of natural beauty and old world charm. Bang on the coast and straddling the River Rother, Rye hides a network of winding cobbled lanes, Tudor facades, gourmet restaurants and charming inns and boutique shops. There are lovely walks along the river and out to Camber Sands Beach, a stunning golden expanse of soft sand perfect for a day castle building, swimming, sun-bathing and picnicking.

Behind the beach there are all kinds of trendy cafes, bars and an even an amusement park. You'll find a great selection of Camber cottages either right on the beach or within the old lanes of Rye, you can delight in life by the sea.

Salcombe

Salcombe is a stylish coastal town in Devon that is perfectly positioned on the Kingsbridge Estuary, within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  It is famous for its spectacular coastal views, made-up of sparkling blue estuary waters decorated by pretty little sailing boats framed by rolling green hills that are dotted with exquisite coastal cottages.

Salcombe offers it all, a chic sailing scene, plenty of fine seafood restaurants, ice-cream parlours, boutiques, fun water sports and many idyllic beaches around Salcombe and on the other side of the estuary in East Portlemouth. One of the many highlights is taking the ferry from Salcombe to East Portlemouth to tour the many coves. Luxury apartments with sea views and coastal cottages with estuary views prove very popular, perfect for a family seaside holiday.

Rock

This picturesque destination is actually very sandy, despite its name and lies on the very sandy banks of the Camel Estuary opposite Padstow amongst wild dunes and beaches. Rock Beach is the favourite for its soft golden sand and far-reaching coastal views. Rock’s coastal paths are a haven for wildlife watchers too, who relish the trails to the stunning beaches of Daymer and Polzeath. There is a cycling trail that hugs the estuary and Camel River from Rock to Padstow.

The chic little village of Rock has earned its reputation as the ‘Saint-Tropez of Cornwall’ thanks to its sailing club and jet-set crowd of holiday-makers, namely royalty and members of parliament who have been drawn to its exquisite seascapes, natural beauty and buzzing foodie scene, which star a few celebrity chefs and plenty of fine dining. There is nothing more heavenly after a gourmet feast than a sunset walk along the shore back to your luxury cottage in Rock.

St Ives

St Ives is one of the finer historic coastal towns that has it all, offering two incredible Blue Flag beach resorts, Carbis Bay and Porthmeor Beach, as well as iconic culture, heritage and stunning architecture. St Ives is home to an artistic patrimony that still fills its vibrant streets with galleries, including Barbara Hepworth and the Tate galleries, studios, and art shops. To add to this are the cafes, bars and fine dining, which include a number of Michelin star restaurants and celebrity chefs.

There is so much to do here including water sports, notably surfing at Porthmeor Beach, walking or cycling the famous coastal paths that connect to beaches such as Carbis Bay, painting at any of the art schools, shopping the incredible boutiques or simply enjoying boat tours off the picturesque coastline. The variety and options of St Ives cottages and luxury apartments are endless, most with sea views or proximity to one of the pristine beaches.

Clovelly

The exquisitely picturesque harbour village of Clovelly in North Devon is something to behold. It literally tumbles down a 122m cliff with charming picket fence cottages clinging to a steep hill that enjoys spectacular sea views across the Bristol Channel. The village used to be owned by The Queen and has since maintained a manicured and magical character. The cobbled streets, which are lined with flower covered coastal cottages, lead down to a 14^th century quayside with an impressive maritime history.

You can actually take a donkey back up the hill if you over do it at one of the fabulous restaurants or bars located on the Quay. There is a token fee to enter the village, which helps to maintain its quintessential appeal and there is lovely pebble beach in Clovelly, but for those who crave something sandier then the huge golden sands of Westward Ho are minutes away by car with the dded bonus of the self-catering holiday cottages in Westward Ho being way more affordable.