Beaches shouldn’t simply be reserved for summer holidays – they offer some of the most gorgeous and tranquil landscapes in the UK, making them ideal for even short off-season breaks away. These amazing hotels, rental properties and campsites are perfect for enjoying UK beach life year-round, offering prime access to some of the best coastal spots. From lighthouses and cabins to cute cottages, here’s our pick of the coolest seaside stays in the country.

Brighton is surely the capital of coastal cool, with its retro pier, colourful shopping streets and lively bars by the bucket (and spade) load. Check out this former Victorian resort city in style by checking into this quirky Airbnb, located just a five-minute walk from the seafront. The two-bedroom townhouse, which can sleep up to eight guests, has a unique design for every room: the living area is moody and dramatic with pops of colour while bedrooms are kitsch and fun. Plus, there’s even a record player in the sitting room if you wish to boogie in retro style.

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For a budget stay within walking distance of the beach, this cosy cabin is just the thing. The wooden-clad studio has space for two guests, with a loft-style bed and two plush armchairs, plus a bathroom featuring an outdoor bath and shower (if you can brave the chill). Situated in the village of St Columb near Newquay, it’s easy to get to the region’s most amazing stretches of sand, including Porth Beach, Watergate Bay and Fistral Beach.

Quaintly named Fossil Cottage is located just moments away from the historic Nash Point Lighthouse, which has occupied this wind-whipped part of the Welsh shoreline since 1832. The converted barn has been transformed into a cosy holiday cottage, complete with wooden beams and other original features. It’s the perfect base from which to explore this sweeping 14-mile (22.5km) stretch of the glorious Glamorgan Heritage Coast: go hunting for fossils and rock pooling on Nash Point’s bedrock beach or stroll along the golden sands of Ogmore before following the river to its Norman castle.

Ranked among the top 25 hotels in the UK by Tripadvisor, Lawton & Lauriston Court Hotel should be on your radar for a relaxing getaway. Occupying a scenic spot overlooking Llandudno Bay, the family-run guesthouse has 35 modern rooms, furnished with contemporary decor and complete with ensuite bathrooms. Plus, those who book directly with the hotel (for a minimum of two nights) have a full Welsh breakfast included with their stay – and guests say it's delicious.

Towering above a craggy stretch of the Newquay coastline, pocketed with tiny coves and lapped by azure seas, The Headland Hotel and Spa has been in this stunning spot for more than a century. Built in 1897, the 5-star, family-run hotel has 78 artfully decorated rooms and suites, dripping with old-school charm and period details. Plus, bay windows and sweeping balconies throughout ensure you’ll never be far from amazing views. If you wish to unwind even more, the hotel is also home to a state-of-the-art spa and the luxurious Aqua Club swimming pool.

Want to hit the waves? Whether surfing’s your thing or not, this cool coastal property makes an ideal bolthole if you’re visiting the Causeway Coast. Situated near Ballycastle, with its golden-sand beach and nearby Rathlin island to explore, you’ll find plenty of things to do in the surrounding area. When you’re ready to put your feet up, enjoy this Airbnb’s outdoor hot tub, cook up a storm on the barbecue or enjoy a chilled glass of something on the patio, before cosying up in the wooden, fairy-light-filled cabin. 

Owing its name to the star-filled skies the island is known for (and of course the 16th-century castle it occupies), Star Castle Hotel is located on St Marys, the largest of the Scilly Isles. Rooms within the fortress are suitably grand: think plush king-sized beds, period details and sloping walls in keeping with the original features of the castle. The island itself is only around six square miles (15.5sq km), but the rest of the archipelago is easily reachable via boat – if you can tear yourself away, that is. 

As the name suggests, this gorgeous self-catering property is about as close to the beach as you can get without actually being on it. Located in Perranporth on the north Cornish coastline, the two-bedroom apartment sleeps up to five guests, with huge windows in the living room and a panoramic patio space ensuring you’re never far from amazing views.

At the Artist Residence, no two rooms are the same: since the hotel put out an advertisement offering artists to stay for free in return for their services, each is decorated with unique murals and artworks. It feels like the perfect setting in which to enjoy the city’s creative, bohemian spirit. Rooms aside, the hotel – which is just a couple of minutes’ walk from the beach – also offers an epic sea-view terrace, a lively cocktail bar and an all-day café.

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Standing proudly over the quaint fishing harbour of St Mawes, The Idle Rocks is home to 18 characterful rooms. Each offers stylish, modern decor, with whitewashed walls and blue and natural hues referencing the coastal setting. The hotel also has the award-winning Reef Knot Retreat on the top floor, where a range of massages and wellness treatments offer further opportunities to unwind. 

The Causeway Coast, which takes its name from the storied Giant's Causeway, is a haven for nature-lovers, walkers, bird-watchers and beach-goers. Soak in all it has to offer with a stay at this tranquil Airbnb. Situated on the peaceful Islandmagee Peninsula, it provides incredible views of the sea and surrounding countryside, with a private hot tub being the best place to enjoy them. The one-bed property, which sleeps two, also boasts a modern kitchen and dining area, cosy sitting room and panoramic patio complete with a pizza oven. 

This artfully designed, cliff-side dwelling is proof that good things often come in small packages. As seen on Channel 4’s George Clarke's Amazing Spaces, the one-bedroom tiny home on the South Devon coast was originally built in the Second World War, as a home for soldiers guarding the coastline, but was left derelict for decades before its recent makeover. It boasts stunning interiors, while clever design features mean there’s even space for a small kitchen, two-seater sofa, dining space, plush double bed and outdoor patio. 

You could be forgiven for thinking that beach huts are solely for storing buckets and spades. But this gorgeous property in Mudeford Sandbank – a sandy spit at the entrance to Christchurch Harbour near Bournemouth – has been transformed into a compact and cute place to stay. With seaside-themed decor, it has loft-style beds for up to four guests, plus a kitchen and seating area (toilets and showers are located in a separate block). 

A beachfront bolthole with a difference, Kimberlina Carriage is a custom-built, rail-style carriage situated in the beautiful northern coastal village of Ravenscar. The cosy home for two has a kitchen and dining area, banquette-style seating, a loft bed and even a freestanding bathtub. From here, you can get out and explore the Yorkshire Coast, with plenty of walking paths, cute villages and outdoor activities on offer. 

Want to wake up to the sound of the waves or stroll outside and hear the clank of pebbles between your feet? Located right on Branscombe Beach in East Devon, Curlew Chalet is a gorgeous wooden-clad lodge on raised stilts above the pebbled shoreline, offering prime access to this incredibly beautiful part of the world. In the surrounding East Devon Area of Natural Beauty (AONB), there are plenty of great walks, historic pubs and unique museums to explore. 

Located a mere hop, skip and a jump from the famous Chesil Beach in Dorset, this pint-sized shepherd’s hut has everything you could want for a cosy weekend getaway. In the surrounding area, which just so happens to be an AONB, you’ll find miles of scenic walking paths, the charming town of Lyme Regis and the island of Portland, home to a 16th-century fortress. The Airbnb has all the creature comforts you could need after a busy day exploring, including a dinky wood-burning stove, seating area for two and a cosy queen-sized bed.

It’s hard to conceive of a more luxurious or scenic coastal bolthole than The Limit. Overlooking the wild and windswept Holywell Bay in north Cornwall, the property comprises two 1930s beach huts, one of which houses an opulent living area complete with a corner sofa, wood burner and mini kitchen, while the other contains a spacious bedroom for two. But the real selling point is the steaming hot tub – we can’t think of a better place to enjoy the view. 

If you’re planning a trip for a large group and want to stay somewhere spectacular, consider booking this one-of-a-kind property. Located in the heart of the north Somerset countryside, overlooking the Bristol Channel, this converted 17th-century castle is dripping with historic luxury. Inside, you’ll find plenty of original features and period details, including wooden beams, original stone walls, antique furniture and incredible artworks. 

Perched on a hilltop on a secluded stretch of shoreline, Isla Windmill on the Isle of Anglesey is a seaside stay with a difference. This former flour mill was given an update by new owners to create a modern, spacious and stylish living space, complete with 1970s-style decor and large windows for gazing out at the ocean. Plus, it’s within easy reach of a tiny, white stone beach, the stunning Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path and the protected wildlife habitat of Puffin Island, so there are plenty of things to do nearby. 

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Although it looks more like a fortress than your classic red-and-white striped lighthouse, the historic Signal Station was built in 1872 to guide passing ships around the treacherous waters of the Lizard Peninsula – aka the most southwesterly point in Britain. Since then, it’s been transformed into an ultra-luxe retreat for six, complete with three double rooms, a spacious kitchen and dining area and a gorgeous roof terrace. Plus, its location is so remote you’ll feel like you have the area to yourself. 

If slick, modern architecture is your thing, this incredible property is just the ticket. Occupying an unbeatable location overlooking Suffolk’s Thorpeness Beach, the self-catering holiday home was designed by Jarmund/Vigsnæs Architects, with clever features including 360-degree windows making the most of the prime views. In case you ever want to leave, you’ll find the charming village of Aldeburgh, plus plenty of quaint pubs and picturesque walking routes in the nearby area. 

The Isle of Skye is renowned for its gorgeously rugged landscapes, but with lashing winds often the norm on this island, we suggest you opt for a luxury bolthole to seek refuge in. This converted chapel is just the ticket. With a loft-style living area, floor-to-ceiling windows, cosy double bedroom and even a private sauna, you’ll find everything you need to hunker down here for a long weekend. There’s plenty in the way of hiking to do nearby, or pop into the Highland village of Carbost to visit a traditional pub and try whisky at a world-famous distillery. 

It’s pretty difficult to get much closer to the sea than this. Perched on a craggy cliff near the tiny Welsh village of Abercastle, Doves Cottage not only boasts a prime location – with the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and several stunning beaches nearby – but it’s also full to the brim with quaint country details. Think exposed stone walls, beamed ceilings, a loft bedroom and plenty of antique wood furnishings. 

A hot tub is always a game changer, but it’s rare you find one with such a gorgeous view as this. Perched overlooking the windswept coastline above Uig Sands on the Isle of Lewis, this huge self-catering property sleeps up to 10, making it the ideal location for large group stays. Housed in a chalet-style wooden building, you’ll find an open-plan living and dining area, fully equipped kitchen, five bedrooms and a luxurious bathroom complete with Jacuzzi bath and steam shower. If you wish to explore the Hebrides or Scottish Highlands, the ferry port at nearby Stornoway offers boats to Skye and Ullapool. 

A masterpiece of Victorian architecture, Slieve Donard is a historic hotel tucked at the foot of the Mountains of Morne in County Down. Surrounded by six acres of private grounds and just minutes away from an enticing stretch of golden sand, it’s the perfect place to enjoy everything that this gorgeous part of Northern Ireland has to offer. Recent guests have praised the hotel’s excellent value, delicious breakfast spread and great spa facilities.

Perched on top of a tiny island – accessible only via a narrow footbridge – this one-of-a-kind bolthole on Newquay’s Towan Beach guarantees you a memorable stay. The property, which is so ingeniously designed it won an award from the Institution of Structural Engineers, is not just stunning from the outside, but also boasts a chic and airy open-plan living space, three spacious bedrooms and a sun deck offering 180-degree views. Plus, its unbeatable location on one of the finest beaches in Cornwall guarantees you first-rate access to sun, sand and surf.

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