10 Romantic Stays By The Sea

FOR… AN ISLAND ESCAPE
BEACH BAY COTTAGE, UIG, ISLE OF LEWIS

Inspired by an ancient Neolithic design, Beach Bay Cottage is a stone hideaway built into the hillside beside the pristine white sands of Uig Bay. A wide window looks straight out over the water so you can drink in the ever-changing seascape, and the peaceful location means you will be surrounded by wildlife galore, including eagles and deer. Unwind in the sauna and Jacuzzi bath, or take a trip to the nearby Abhainn Dearg whisky distillery to sample the local tipple before heading back for dinner at the celebrated Uig Sands Restaurant, which sits in a glorious spot right beside the beach.

HOW TO BOOK: A seven-night break costs from £1,039 for up to four people (0345 498 6900, cottages.com).

FOR… A LUXURY HOTEL
THE LOOKOUT, THE PIG-ON THE BEACH, STUDLAND, DORSET

The Lookout is a thatched dovecote in the grounds of this country house hotel. Overlooking the Jurassic coastline, the ground-floor bedroom has a four-poster, while the bathroom above it has a free-standing bath and a monsoon shower. Just a 20-minute stroll away is the hotel’s own beach hut, which can be booked for £50 per day – it comes with deck chairs, towels and a windbreak, and you’ll also be given a flask so you can have a cup of tea as you gaze out over Old Harry Rocks, a magnificent chalk headland that stretches far out to sea.

HOW TO BOOK: The Lookout costs from £310 per night (01929 450288, thepighotel.com).

FOR… SURF AND SUNSETS
WHITE HORSES, PERRANPORTH, CORNWALL

Watch the sun set from your own Cornish hideaway when you stay at White Horses, a one-bedroom cottage attached to 17th-century Reen Manor. Full of period detail, it’s a great base from which to explore the delights of Cornwall, from the Eden Project to Land’s End. Be sure to sample the surf at Perranporth, a huge stretch of sandy beach that is just a 15-minute walk away along a quiet lane. In the evenings, you will love the enclosed private garden that has a romantic summerhouse (pictured) where you can enjoy a bottle of wine and far-reaching sea views as night falls.

HOW TO BOOK: Prices start at £293 for a three-night break (01637 861005, beachretreats.co.uk).

FOR… WILDLIFE WATCHING
CASTLE COTTAGE, LUNDY ISLAND, DEVON

You might be lucky enough to see dolphins from the windows of Castle Cottage, a granite property on the south-eastern point of this National Trust-owned island. Built as a cable station by the Post Office in 1894 and nestling against the castle keep, the house is within walking distance of the Marisco Tavern, Lundy’s only pub, yet occupies a gloriously isolated spot where the lack of light pollution makes for wonderful stargazing on a clear night. Above all, this is a haven for wildlife so bring your binoculars and keep an eye out for warden-led events such as snorkelling safaris, seabird walks and rockpool rambles.

HOW TO BOOK: A four-night stay costs from £281 (01628 825925, landmarktrust.org.uk)

You may also like 10 Best Paradise Island Escapes

FOR… COASTAL ADVENTURES
CYSGOD Y NOS, ST DAVIDS, PEMBROKESHIRE

Book a stay in this romantic glamping pod, which has unbroken sea views, and you’ll be perfectly placed for a host of activities from coasteering and diving to kayaking and paddle-boarding. Grab your wetsuits and head to nearby Abercastle harbour and the famous Blue Lagoon at Abereiddy, or don your hiking boots and visit Porthgain, a walker’s paradise on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. At the end of the day you can hunker down in this stylish pod, which has an open-plan living and sleeping space with a well-equipped kitchen area, plus a separate bathroom and the luxury of underfloor heating.

HOW TO BOOK: Prices start at £226 for a three-night break (01873 776238, sugarandloaf.com).

FOR… A WOODLAND HIDEAWAY
DOWN HOUSE, DIABAIG, HIGHLAND

Sneak away to this secluded cabin, which is set in a private cliff-top wood overlooking Loch Torridon in Northwest Scotland. It’s so lofty and leafy that guests say it’s like living in a tree house, and in spring the woodland is carpeted with primroses and wood anemones. The architect-designed cabin has good eco-credentials so is toasty warm, but there is a woodburning stove in the sitting room too – perfect if the weather closes in. When the sun comes out, French doors lead out on to a timber deck that faces south and west over the water. Don’t forget your hiking boots, as there is a wealth of cliff-top and loch-side walks nearby.

HOW TO BOOK: Prices start at £280 for a three-night break (01381 610496, LHHScotland.com).

Looking for the perfect holiday right at the water’s edge? Discover our collection of exclusive cruise trips around the British Isles here.

FOR… MARITIME HERITAGE
THE LINK AT CROMER LIGHTHOUSE, CROMER, NORFOLK

Watch the light sweeping across the sea at night when you stay in The Link, a semi-detached cottage at this heritage lighthouse, which has a walled garden and panoramic views that will absorb you for hours. There has been a lighthouse here since 1680 but the present one, with its white octagonal tower, was built in 1833 and converted to automatic operation in 1990. It stands next to the Royal Cromer Golf Club (non-members with a handicap are welcome) and is a 10-minute stroll from Cromer itself, where you can sample delicious local seafood – notably the town’s famous crab sandwiches.

HOW TO BOOK: A three-night stay costs from £422 (01386 898243, ruralretreats.co.uk).

FOR… ROMANCE AFLOAT
OYSTER, SALCOMBE, DEVON

Live aboard Oyster, a Dutch-built boat permanently moored in a tranquil spot on the estuary, and you’ll be serenaded by birdsong, rustling trees and the ebb and flow of the tide. Inside you’ll find a fold-down double bed, a basic galley kitchen and a ship’s library. There’s also a chemical loo on board, but the main bathroom facilities (compost toilet and shower) are on the foreshore, a short walk away once you’ve crossed the gangplank. Perfect for couples who crave a close connection with the sea but don’t have the know-how to sail, this back-to-nature boating experience is a treat in store.

HOW TO BOOK: Prices start at £125 per night, minimum stay two nights (01348 830922, qualityunearthed.co.uk).

FOR…BEACH HUT CHARM
THE LITTLE SEA HOUSE, LYME REGIS, DORSET

Let the waves lull you to sleep at this bijou hut, which stands on Monmouth Beach – so close, in fact, that you’ll feel the sand and shingle beneath your toes as soon as you step off the deck. This hut has a cosy living area with a flame-effect stove, a daybed that converts into your sleeping quarters, a kitchen area, a shower room and a mezzanine. Best of all are the superb uninterrupted views of Lyme Bay, with Chesil Beach and Portland in the distance. Rain or shine, it’s the perfect spot to reconnect with your loved one. It’s dog-friendly, too!

HOW TO BOOK: A seven-night stay costs from £418 (01297 443550, toadhallcottages.co.uk).

You may also like Best Dog-Friendly Beach Holidays in the UK

FOR… HISTORY AND FOLKLORE
HIDE WALES CABANS, ST DONATS, GLAMORGAN

Castles, churches, museums and prehistoric sites can all be explored from this cluster of three handmade cabins, which are hidden away in an arboretum overlooking the heritage coastline. The interiors are beautifully designed, each with a trendy woodburner, a kitchenette, a double bed layered with Welsh woollen blankets, a private bathroom in a shepherd’s hut and a terrace with barbecue and fire-pit. Breakfast is served in the Pavilion – think croissants, granola and yoghurt – and the site will give you easy access to numerous coastal walks, rugged coves and spectacular beaches.

HOW TO BOOK: Prices start at £95 per night, minimum stay two nights (01446 794362, coolstays.com).