Best British Breaks by the Sea

If you’ve never been to Sark – the smallest of the four main channel Islands, famous for its rugged scenery and close-to-zero traffic – now is the time to go. Stocks Hotel, centrally located on Big Sark, offers luxury accommodation as well as yoga and foraging weekends. Alternatively, just relax by the solar-heated pool or allow the hotel to organise a horse-and-carriage tour of the island. From around £245 for a double B&B, deals available online (stockshotel.com; sark.co.uk).

When it comes to wildlife watching, it’s hard to beat Skomer – one of three, tiny islands off the Pembrokeshire coast – populated by numerous seabird species, as well as seals and cetaceans offshore. Just a 15-minute boat ride from Martin’s Haven, the islet is home to the biggest puffin population in southern Britain and hundreds of thousands of Manx shearwaters nest here and on neighbouring Skokholm. On a longer sailing to Grassholm, you can get close to one of the UK’s largest gannetries. Along with self-catering accommodation on Skomer, a good mainland base not far away is Globe House – a castellated mansion in Angle, reputedly built to welcome Queen Victoria to the village – and newly converted into a large holiday let. From £3,049 for a week. Sleeps 12 (fbmholidays.co.uk; pembrokeshire-islands.co.uk).

Since reopening in 2014, the spa at this hotel has established a formidable reputation for high-end relaxation by the sea. Overlooking the estuary, it features five treatment rooms, a fitness suite, indoor pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room. The spa’s signature treatment, Marine, Body and Mind, (£200 for 160 minutes) involves a foot soak, skin brushing, full body scrub, body massage and a facial (salcombe-harbour-hotel.co.uk/spa).

Tucked away on a quiet lane between St Ives and Carbis Bay is the Salt House – a Modernist new-build and available as a holiday let. Originally designed as a family home, its 60-foot living/dining area has floor-to-ceiling windows with views across landscaped gardens to St Ives Bay. Furnishings are a mix of Heal’s, Conran and Orla Kiely, while the five bed/four bath arrangement is ideal for multi-generational holidays or large groups of friends. Two Blue Flag beaches are within walking distance: Carbis Bay, which is quieter than St Ives; and Porthminster, with its eponymous café, where the seafood is simply to die for. From around £2,998 for a week (carbisbayholidays.co.uk).

To get to know a coastline, you really need to walk it, and Northumberland’s shoreline rewards closer exploration with historic castles, wide, sandy bays and remote tidal islands. A four-night, self-guided walking tour is offered by slow holiday specialist Inntravel, and among the highlights en route are Bamburgh and Dunstanburgh Castles and the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. On the last day, you can also take a boat trip to the Farne Islands. While billeted at a small guesthouses in Alnwick and a boutique hotel in Beadnell – picnics for the day are provided (luggage is handily transported by road). At night, take your pick from the local pubs and restaurants – we recommend The Ship Inn at Low Newton-by-the-Sea. From £545 per person, based on two sharing (inntravel.co.uk; visitnorthumberland.com).

The small, family-run campsite at Troytown Farm on St Agnes is so close to the beach you can fall asleep lulled by the sound of the waves. There are 36 pitches, plus five bell tents, and what keeps people coming back is the sheer pleasure of living close to nature on an island where there are no cars and children can roam free. Troytown is a dairy farm, producing its own milk, yogurt and ice cream, all of which are available in the on-site shop. Camping from £10.50 per night; bell tents from £53 per night  (troytown.co.uk; visitislesofscilly.com; islesofscilly-travel.co.uk).