SIX GO TO THE SEASIDE
Amid ever-changing government guidelines, we round up some of the best houses, lodges and cottages where parties of six can gather, recharge and unwind together by the sea this December
Self-catering accommodation, such as this Cornish Gems property (above), that’s perfect for groups of six
1 SAIL LOFT, NEWQUAY, NORTH CORNWALL
Drink in ocean views from your bathtub and drift to sleep cosseted by the sound of the waves: this luxurious bolthole is quite literally on the beach and each of the three en-suite bedrooms offer dreamy ocean views to boot. Prices from £1,619 per week (01872 241241, cornishgems.com).
2 6 HARBOUR YARD, SALCOMBE, DEVON
Glimpse the estuary from the top floor of this chic apartment, which sits just a mile from the sandy beaches of North and South Sands, and is
conveniently located for the town’s restaurants, pubs and passenger ferry. Prices from £688 per week (01548 202020, toadhallcottages.co.uk).
3 GLAN Y MOR, LAUGHARNE, SOUTH WALES
Flooded with natural light, this spacious and beautifully furnished clifftop lodge at Dylan Coastal Resort comes with its own private bathtub with views stretching out across the wild Taf Estuary. Prices from £1,975 for four nights (01994 426006, luxurylodges.com).
4 THE DRIFT HOUSE, BEADNELL, NORTHUMBERLAND
Sleeping six across three bedrooms, this modern yet cosy hideaway is the perfect base to explore Northumberland’s rugged coastline. After a bracing walk on nearby Beadnell Bay, warm the cockles at The Craster Arms and roll on home. Prices from £790 per week (01665 710700, coquetcottages.co.uk).
5 BEACHSIDE, HUMBERSTON, NORTH EAST LINCOLNSHIRE
Located on a National Conservation Area just 50m from the beach, this newly renovated two-bedroomed
beach chalet has its own spacious garden, decking and trampoline, ideal for a family getaway. Prices from £550 per week (airbnb.co.uk).
6 ALEXANDER HOUSE, THORPENESS, SUFFOLK
Bursting with character but with all the mod cons too, this house is tucked away on a no-through road in Thorpeness, close to the beach and the Meare, a boating lake with connections to JM Barrie’s Peter Pan for some real oldschool magic. Prices from £1,077 for a week’s stay (01728 666300, suffolkhideaways.co.uk).
7 HARBOUR MASTER’S HOUSE, CRASTER, NORTHUMBERLAND
Soak up the magic of this Northumbrian fishing village from the snug of Harbour Master’s House, a contemporary abode which, from the dining room, offers unrivalled views to sea and the ancient ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle. Prices from £1,249 per week (0191 2851272, coastalretreats.co.uk).
8 SEA SHELLS BY THE BEACH COTTAGE, ISLE OF WIGHT
Light and bright interiors with breathtaking views to sea from many of the rooms, this characterful threebedroomed cottage in Bonchurch to the south of the island also welcomes two dogs. You can reach the Isle of Wight using the Red Funnel ferry (redfunnel. co.uk), a mainstay of island crossings since 1861. From £409pp for a week (01237 459821, caninecottages.co.uk/ cottages/sea-shells-by-the-beach-cottage).
9 ÓRAN NA MARA, ISLE OF HARRIS, SCOTLAND
For a slice of Hebridean paradise, thatched dwelling Óran na Mara (which translates as Song of the Sea) takes some beating. Watch storms over Scarista Beach from the snug of the curved living room, decked with floor-to-ceiling windows. Prices from £2,800 per week (01381 610496, lhhscotland.com).
10 BEACON COTTAGE, KINGSBRIDGE, DEVON
Beacon Cottage sits on the headland at Start Point Lighthouse on the South West Coast Path, and has a decked area looking out to sea. See seals and gannets from the living room and keep your (complimentary) ear plugs to hand for when fog descends – this is a working lighthouse! From £1,105 for a week’s stay (01386 896295, ruralretreats.co.uk).