Seascapes and solitude, adrenaline-filled adventures or a luxurious pampering session weekends away – our wonderfully diverse coast has something for everyone.
Weekends away for creative types
Enjoy a talented time in Kent: Turner Contemporary on Margate seafront has great exhibitions all year round and free entry. The venue also hosts creative workshops and drop-in sessions for artists of all ages. Just beside the gallery, you can see one of a series of 100 solid cast-iron figures by Antony Gormley which explore the experience of being human. Stay in a prime beachfront location at the boutique No 42 by Guesthouse. visitkent.co.uk
Go with the flow in the Highlands: let yourself be lured to the ten-foot-high statue of the Mermaid of the North, which sits on a black rock off the coast of Balintore, on the Easter Ross Peninsula. There are more sculptures to spot as part of the Seaboard Sculpture Trail, including three giant salmon and three slate monuments. On the Beach is a recently built, four-bedroom holiday home overlooking Shanwick Bay in Balintore. easterrosspeninsula.com
Be inspired by Cornwall: experience the soft light and turquoise seas around west Cornwall – a major draw for many famous painters and sculptors over the centuries. Penzance is home to a colourful selection of art galleries, plus the scenery around this portside town is pretty as a picture. The rooms at the 17th century Artist Residence have an eclectic, rustic style and there’s a curated collection of limited-edition artworks throughout the building. artistresidence.co.uk
Weekends away for adrenaline junkies
Go off-road in North Yorkshire: the spectacular coastline in and around Robin Hood’s Bay is the backdrop for some tough terrain at the North Yorkshire Off Road Centre. The site is home to ukLANDROVERevents, which offers 4×4 experiences in a small fleet of modern and traditional Land Rover Defenders, plus a Discovery 4. Enjoy the scenery before and after you get behind the wheel to take on this notoriously challenging course. Baytown Holiday Cottages has a great choice of accommodation nearby. uklandroverevents.com; nyoffroad.co.uk
Discover your wild side on Ireland’s coast: Connemara has become one of Ireland’s go-to outdoor activity hubs. The dramatic landscape provides the perfect platform for some wild and wonderful adventures here on the Atlantic coast of County Galway. Kayaking, rock climbing and coasteering (a combination of swimming, climbing, cliff jumping and scrambling) are just some of the activities organised by the highly qualified team at Real Adventures Connemara. Take time to recover from all of that Ballynahinch Castle, Connemara’s smartest hotel. There are 48 nicely styled, comfortable bedrooms. ballynahinch-castle.com
Kitesurf the waves in Wales: kitesurfing is an increasingly popular water sport which involves riding and gliding across the water while holding a hand-controlled kite. It requires nerves of steel, Newgale beach in Pembrokeshire is a popular choice for kiters of all abilities. Stay at Wyndhurst, a nicely renovated detached bungalow with far reaching views over your kitesurfing domain. coastalcottages.co.uk
Weekends away for a cosy retreat
Drift along in Anglesey: Driftwood in Rhosneigr is an ideal base for a coastal escape. The six-bedroom boutique guesthouse has a luxury self-catering lodge, which includes a king-size bed with en-suite shower, kitchenette and dining area. Make the most of the quiet surroundings and easy access to the village and golden sandy beaches on this award-winning stretch of coast. rhosneigr.co.uk
Stay on guard in Devon: hunker down and watch the water from a prime lookout spot in the friendly fishing village of Shaldon. The Gun House is a former Second World War watchtower that’s been cleverly converted into a secret hideaway for two. The building was originally constructed as part of Shaldon’s coastal defences. These days it’s a relaxing retreat with fabulous views and is a stone’s throw from lovely cafes and pubs. marsdens.co.uk
Embrace island life: Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight is small but perfectly formed for weekend breakers who need a quick fix of culture, history and seaside charms. There’s a pier, castle, cobbled streets, cafes and tearooms and galleries in this pretty place, one of the smallest towns in the UK. Hire a bike and cruise along the flat paths which run beside the area’s nature reserves. The 17th century George Hotel, right on the water’s edge, offers ‘cosy snug rooms’ in its choice of accommodation. thegeorge.co.uk
Weekends away for getting back to basics
Hide away in Scotland: described as ‘the ultimate Hebridean hideaway’, The Happy Bishop is a striking, energy-efficient retreat in Uig. Many home comforts are here – coffee machine, big sofa, smart TV. But you can also relax in the knowledge that this place has been built with sustainable living in mind. Timber cladding helps The Happy Bishop (named after the spot where the famous Lewis chessmen were found) to blend in with its unique environment. Inside, heating is powered by an air source heat pump and the floor to ceiling windows boost the building’s thermal energy. airbnb.com/h/thehappybishoplewis
Go off-grid in Devon: put a little birdhouse in your soul and stay in Little Owl or Honey Buzzard, two stylish, eco-friendly cabins overlooking Start Bay. These gorgeous looking little huts were built using traditional craftsmanship, sustainable materials and precision engineering to give guests a comfortable and environmentally friendly stay. There’s a high-tech off grid loo (no composting toilets here) and hot showers. wildcomfort.co.uk
Nature calls in Pembrokeshire: reconnect with nature and the universe through the medium of an A-frame cabin on the Pembrokeshire coast. The cosy hideaways, each with a seven-metre glass front, have been built in 24 acres of land dedicated to rewilding. More than 3,000 trees have been planted, wetlands created, and wildflower meadows cultivated in the area, which sits on the edge of Pembrokeshire National Park. wilderretreats.co.uk
Top 20 spots for coastal campervan breaks
Weekends away for a luxurious stay
Soak in the Irish seaweed: no, we haven’t gone all coastal crazy. Voya Seaweed Baths is an authentic seaweed bathhouse, based in Strandhill, County Sligo. Participants get to try this rather different kind of soak in the tub, which involves being immersed in seaweed that’s hand harvested from the Atlantic coast. The treatment – a tradition around here – is said to have therapeutic powers. Stay near the bathhouse at Strandhill Lodge and Suites, overlooking the bay. voyaseaweedbaths.com; strandhilllodgeandsuites.ie
Unwind in East Sussex: who doesn’t love a boutique Victorian seafront hotel? The Port in Eastbourne has 19 bedrooms, restaurant, cocktail bar and loads of style. If inside views matter as much as what’s going on out of the window, then this is the place for you. Rooms are contemporary and warm with pistachio or blush pink walls and cork flooring. Bathrooms have poured concrete sinks and terrazzo tiling. Even the kettles are cool. And so is Eastbourne these days. Decent restaurants, arts, culture and independent shops are a short walk away. porthotel.co.uk
All aboard in the Channel Islands: enjoy the feeling of being aboard a luxury boat without getting wet. The Royal Yacht in St Helier, Jersey, is modern and elegant with sophisticated nautical touches. The balconies are formed with sheets of curved glass to create waves across the front of the building. The hotel, which also has an award-winning spa, is right in the bustling hub of St Helier, with its boutique shops and bars. theroyalyacht.com
Weekends away for foodies
Savour the flavours in St Andrews: this seaside town was recently voted Scotland’s best for food and drink by consumer group Which?. Culinary delights range from cosy cafes to five-star seafood restaurants and the nation’s best chippies. And The Cheesy Toast Shack – a hugely popular snack van which serves mac ’n cheese toasties and more. After that, treat yourself to an ice-cream from Jannettas Gelateria. Still hungry? Haar (named after the North Sea fog) is a destination restaurant with rooms. haarrestaurant.com
Feel full of hope in Devon: Hope Cove House is a real treat for those who enjoy incredible, unfussy eating with a great view. Owners and experienced restaurateurs Oli and Alexandra (Ra) Barker took over this place in 2019 and have turned it into a relaxing gourmet guesthouse, with simple, lovely dishes and rooms. They also host regular retreats and workshops throughout the year. hopecovehouse.co
Sample the coastal delights of Suffolk: Aldeburgh is another top-rated foodie seaside destination. The East Anglian town is a haven of traditional fare (the award-winning Aldeburgh Fish and Chip Shop) and upmarket joints, such as The Suffolk with its seafood-centric menu. Aldeburgh showcases its talents at the town’s annual food and drink festival (September 27 and 28). Stay at the Brudenell Hotel, which sits right on Aldeburgh’s pebble beach and has a popular seafood restaurant. brudenellhotel.co.uk
Weekends away for all the family (including the dog)
Get the seal of approval in Norfolk: head to the north coast for a wildlife adventure everyone will enjoy. Beans Boats run daily trips from Blakeney Harbour to see the area’s resident grey seal and common seal colonies. Dogs on leads are welcome. Stay nearby at Blakeney Hotel, which is right on the quayside. They have a choice of family and dog-friendly rooms. blakeney-hotel.co.uk
Camp on the coast of Ireland: soaring sea cliffs, big skies and the roar of the Wild Atlantic Way will delight the generations during a visit to Achill Island. Take your pick from a selection of guesthouses, hotels and B&Bs or go for the full, in-touch with the stunning surroundings experience and camp (if the season’s right). The island is a haven for watersports. Keel strand is one of the country’s most popular surfing destinations. schilltourism.com
Take time out in Tyne and Wear: two seaside resorts means twice the fun, right? Whitley Bay and Tynemouth both have their charms. Whitley Bay is full of simple family holiday pleasures – mini golf, ice cream, fish and chips. Tynemouth is a popular village with a famous market and a variety of independent shops. The coast around here has Blue Flag beaches and plenty to do. Take a trip to St Mary’s Lighthouse, accessed between the tides via a short causeway.
