Features

Our Favourite Seaside Towns in the Sunny South of England

10 July 2024
The Island Cornwall with suspension bridge in Newquay

OK, so it’s not always sunny in the south of England. But according to official Met Office data, you’re more likely to enjoy sunshine-soaked holidays on the south coast than anywhere else in the UK.

And luckily, there are more than 300 miles of mesmerising coastline, World Heritage sites, national parks, and iconic family-friendly attractions on hand for you to make the absolute most of it!

Whether you’re in the mood for a traditional beach break (Kiss Me Quick hats and candyfloss, anyone?) or something a little more refined, the south of England truly has it all.

So here’s a round-up of the best southern seaside holiday hotspots, together with a few of our favourite unusual places to stay in each location. Ideal if you’re looking for extra-special memories, or simply somewhere to fuel excited conversations.

You’ll find each of the retreats we’ve picked is less than half an hour’s drive from the beach – with some mere steps away from the sand! – so you won’t have to travel far to soak up all that’s so amazing about a holiday on the English south coast.

Author: Nina Jervis
Main image: The Island Cornwall | Newquay

Margate

Kent is the sunniest mainland county in England, which makes Margate an excellent choice for a traditional English seaside holiday… with plenty of retro cool thrown in!

Here you can indulge in everything that makes a stay-by-the-sea irresistible, such as sandy beaches, fish-and-chip suppers, and bustling seafront bars. Yet you can also visit the acclaimed Turner Contemporary for a shot of unique art and culture, or indulge your inner child at Dreamland, with its joyous collection of vintage rides (including the world’s oldest wooden rollercoaster!) and pop-up festival-style entertainment.

Margate Beach House

Margate, Kent, England
A light-filled, design-led gem with quirky artwork, a hot tub, and a glorious outdoor lounge, beautifully positioned for magnificent beachfront views.
Bedrooms: 4
Sleeps: 8
From
£1125 / 2 nts

The Courtyard Suite Margate

Margate, Kent, England
A colourful coastal sanctuary with creative design-led interiors and a private courtyard, perfectly set in a Grade II-listed building that’s directly opposite Margate Main Sands beach.
Bedrooms: 2
Sleeps: 5
From
£145 /nt

Khina Cottage

Broadstairs, Kent, England
At Khina Cottage child-friendly luxury awaits, in a lighthouse cottage delightfully secluded in the charming Kent town of Broadstairs.
Bedrooms: 2
Sleeps: 4
From
£356 (2 nts)

Seventies Studio Margate

Margate, Kent, England
A self-contained ‘time capsule' apartment covering the entire top floor of a townhouse in the heart of Margate, with fabulous views of Dreamland and the beach.
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 2-3
From
£50 / night

Twentieth Century B&B

Birchington-on-Sea, Kent, England
A loving and authentic homage to Art Deco, perfectly set just four minutes' walk from the beach at Minnis Bay.
Bedrooms: 4
Sleeps: 2 per room
From
£75 / nt

Salmestone Dutch Barge

Sandwich, Kent, England
A floating home-from-home filled with quirky comfort, peacefully moored in medieval Sandwich.
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 6
From
£200 / night

Brighton

King George IV fell head-over-heels in love with the iconic Sussex seaside town back in the 18th century, when the magnificent Brighton Pavilion was built as his exclusive seaside retreat.

These days Brighton is well-known for its vibrant creativity and free-thinking inclusivity, with eight glorious miles of sand-and-sea to savour. There’s also a wealth of quirky independent shops and award-winning eateries to weave in and out of, and ornate Regency architecture to snap. Bordered by the South Downs National Park, there’s plenty of scope for a change of scenery if the mood should strike, too.

Champing Lewes

Lewes, East Sussex, England
A historic haven for non-conformist worship, close to the Norman castle and Saxon lanes of Lewes with soothing sea views and the South Downs National Park on the doorstep.
Bedrooms:
Sleeps: 16
From
£74 / night

Looking Glass Cottage

Brighton, East Sussex, England
The oldest house in Brighton curiously re-imagined as Victorian Alice in Wonderland, filled with quirky surprises and sumptuous décor, superbly located in the heart of the Lanes.
Bedrooms: 3
Sleeps: 8
From
£890/wk

Snooze

Brighton, East Sussex, England
An award-winning, super-funky guesthouse that zings with retro character and quirky attention to detail, just a short stroll away from Brighton's iconic seafront.
Bedrooms: 8 rooms/suites
Sleeps: 2 per room
From
£97 / night

The Art Deco Apartment

Brighton, East Sussex, England
An elegant, light-filled apartment that's dripping with old school glamour, perfectly located in a chic Brighton house that faces the sea.
Bedrooms: 3
Sleeps: 6
From
£250 / night

The Garden Room

Westmeston, Sussex, England
A contemporary, light-filled studio retreat with a private outdoor hot tub, pet-friendly and secluded in an East Sussex village at the foot of the South Downs.
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 2
From
£368 (3 nights)

Bournemouth

The largest town in Dorset, Bournemouth boasts seven miles of idyllic golden-sand coastline to stretch out your beach towels on, with incredible surfing spots and even a pier-to-shore zipwire for adrenaline-junkies!

Dotted with Victorian and Edwardian architecture, there are more than 200 listed buildings in Bournemouth, along with beautiful Grade II-listed public parks to while away some holiday time in when you’re not lazing on the beach. Oh, and if you’re a foodie, time your visit for the ten-day Bournemouth Food and Drink Festival and you’ll be in actual heaven.

South Lytchett Manor Glamping

Poole, Dorset, England
Hand-crafted glamping retreats for couples and families (and their dogs!) nestled on an award-winning site that’s rich in natural beauty and fresh-air adventure, with Dorset’s iconic attractions in easy reach.
Bedrooms: Open plan
Sleeps: 4
From
£79.50 /nt

Classic Yacht Nadine

Poole, Dorset, England
Live like a millionaire, aboard a 60ft luxury motorboat that’s styled for pure holiday opulence (complete with a jacuzzi hot tub!) beautifully based at Cobbs Quay Marina in Poole, Dorset
Bedrooms: 2
Sleeps: 4
From
£380 /night

New Forest Cabin

Avon, Hampshire, England
A fairytale woodland-themed cabin with a sunken ‘all-weather' hot tub and a wraparound deck, beautifully elevated on the edge of the New Forest National Park.
Bedrooms: 2
Sleeps: 4
From
£795 / week

Wimborne Thatch Villa & Pub

Wimborne, Dorset, England
A spectacular large-group, pet-friendly Dorset retreat with a huge swimming pool and jacuzzi, games room, a gorgeous garden... and a friendly on-site bar!
Bedrooms: 10
Sleeps: 22
From
£1000/nt

Bournemouth Beach Lodges

Bournemouth, Dorset, England
Bournemouth Beach Lodges provide the perfect setting for a refreshing coastal break, just a pebble skim away from seven miles of stunningly sandy beach.
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 6
From
£400 (3nt)

Lyme Regis

Breathtakingly positioned on the UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coast, Lyme Regis is the only place to visit if you’ve got a passion for fossil-hunting! Here, varied and intriguing rock formations span a whopping 185 million years of the Earth’s history.

Along with lazing on its beautiful beaches, any trip to the ‘Pearl of Dorset’ must include a stroll along the famed harbour wall, known as The Cobb. First mentioned all the way back in 1294, the atmospheric wall has featured in novels and films throughout history, including Jane Austen’s Persuasion and John Fowles’ The French Lieutenant’s Woman.

The Lookout Tower

Beer, Devon, England
An atmospheric 18th century lookout tower transformed into a luxury retreat with a lift and a private sauna, sublimely set on the clifftop at Beer Head for jaw-dropping coastal views.
Bedrooms: 2
Sleeps: 4
From
£125 pppn

The Lobster Pot

Lyme Regis, Dorset, England
A beautifully cheery Swedish-designed chalet-for-two set along the Jurassic Coast, for breathtaking views of Lyme Bay.
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 3
From
£374 (7 nights)

Pinwheel Treehouse

Holditch, Dorset, England
An adults-only, master-crafted RIBA award-winning treehouse, complete with an al fresco hot tub and wood-fired pizza oven, beautifully secluded on an exclusive site in rural Dorset.
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 2
From
£395 /night

thecabin@greensleeves

Lyme Regis, Dorset, England
A homely, handcrafted haven, surrounded by whispering trees and perfectly positioned for exploring both Devon and Dorset.
Bedrooms: 2
Sleeps: 4
From
£123 / night

Ilfracombe

Situated directly on the South West Coast Path, within the North Devon Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Ilfracombe’s sweeping coast is also a designated marine conservation area due to its rare and diverse species.

As if that wasn’t quite enough, you’ll find the town’s harbour peppered with pretty pastel-coloured houses and a 14th century chapel… not to mention Damien Hirst’s acclaimed statue, Verity, guarding the entrance, bordered by dramatic cliffs. Throw in an eclectic collection of independent shops and some truly stunning beaches (including the iconic Tunnels) and your humble south-coast seaside break is elevated to epic proportions.

Beach Cove Coastal Retreat

Ilfracombe, Devon, England
Individual boutique-style beach huts & suites with an added dose of luxury; these wonderful coastal retreats in popular Ilfracombe area redefine the Great British seaside holiday.
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 2
From
£349 / week

The Round House Ilfracombe

Ilfracombe, Devon, England
Step back in time, to a grandly unique circular home that's ideal for group breaks with something to celebrate.
Bedrooms: 5
Sleeps: 10
From
£496 /night

Pickwell Manor Tree Houses

Georgeham, Devon, England
A romantic, bespoke-crafted Devon treetop retreat, with soothing views from the comfort of your pillow.
Bedrooms: 1 per treehouse
Sleeps: 2 per treehouse
From
£190 / night

The Linhay

Braunton, Devon, England
A sublime and secluded off-grid Devon retreat, dog-friendly and with a dreamy private deck to bring you blissfully back to nature, batteries fully recharged.
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 2 (+2)
From
£125 / night

Newquay

If you’re looking for an award-winning beach break, Newquay won’t disappoint. Regularly voted one of the nation’s favourite seaside towns, the Cornish town has also been awarded the accolade of Best Family Holiday Destination.

Enticingly set on Cornwall’s sweeping Atlantic coast, you’ll have not one but nine spectacular beaches to choose from in Newquay, including Fistral Beach… officially one of the best surfing spots the UK has to offer! But for those who want to explore beyond the beaches, the Newquay Discovery Trail is a must – comprising 14 hand-carved Cornish slate discs embedded at key places of interest throughout the town.

Halula Beach House

Newquay, Cornwall, England
A vibrant, exotic large-group retreat with Cornish-themed bedrooms and a heated outdoor swimming pool, perfectly secluded by the surfer's paradise that is Fistral Beach.
Bedrooms: 10
Sleeps: 24
From
£2350/4nts

The Island Cornwall

Newquay, Cornwall, England
Gaze dreamily out at the Atlantic Ocean, from the sumptuous comfort of your very own private, palm-fringed paradise.
Bedrooms: 3
Sleeps: 6
From
£1,350 (3/4nt)

Pentire Penthouse

Newquay, Cornwall, England
Experience an innovative circular penthouse apartment overlooking the golden sands of Newquay's famous Fistral Beach.
Bedrooms: 4
Sleeps: 8+2
From
£1,103 /4nts

Red Rails

Newquay, Cornwall, England
A vibrant Art Deco hideaway for group celebrations with a creative twist, featuring incredible views of Newquay's Fistral Beach.
Bedrooms: 5
Sleeps: 10
From
£2,100 (7 nts)

St Ives

The historic Cornish fishing town of St Ives has inspired many a creative soul throughout the ages, including Virginia Woolf and Elizabeth Day. A thriving and world-famous art scene, you can visit the Tate, the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden, and the St Ives School of Painting… to name just a few!

But that’s not all. With its golden quartet of beaches, St Ives is also the ideal setting for a seaside break that has a little something for everyone, whether it’s surfing at Porthmeor, building sandcastles with the kids at Porthminster, or trying your hand at brand-new watersports at St Ives Bay.

Ocean Scene

St. Ives, Cornwall, England
A light, bright and beautiful retreat for luxurious family breaks in St Ives, with plenty of kids' entertainment and breath-taking views of Porthmeor Beach.
Bedrooms: 5
Sleeps: 10
From
£377 / night

Nori's Nest

Crowlas, Cornwall, England
A charming shepherd's hut for two with a private hot tub, nestled amongst soothing countryside in a picturesque Cornish village that's close to the coast.
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 2
From
£418 /4 nts

The Landpods at Wildflower Wood

St Ives, Cornwall, England
Innovative glamping pods with stargazing roofs, secluded in a leafy hilltop hideaway with stunning views of St Ives Bay.
Bedrooms: Open plan
Sleeps: 4 or 5 per pod
From
£75 / night

Dune House

Gwithian, Cornwall, England
An exclusive, architect-designed haven especially created for surf lovers and water babies, just five minutes away from St. Ives Bay's iconic Gwithian Beach.
Bedrooms: 4
Sleeps: 8
From
£2,625 (7 nights)

Samphire Studio

St Ives, Cornwall, England
Samphire Studio is every design enthusiast's dream - a stylishly spectacular sanctuary for two in stunning St Ives, where vintage class blends with beachside charm for a truly unforgettable retreat
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 2
From
£425 (3 nights)

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