Our top five beach houses in the UK

If a Hamptons beach house and a Scandinavian spa had a love child, it would look like The Cove. All sleek wood and glass perched high on a Devon hillside with a sub-tropical micro-climate, the agenda here is barefoot luxury, on repeat. Sauna, outdoor shower, a hot tub under the stars. Beyond the deck, there are secret coves and wild beaches, plus coastal footpaths that wind along the cliffs, always leading you back to the water. Further afield, there’s picturesque Dartmouth and the iconic Burgh Island, where Agatha Christie dreamed up murder mysteries. This place will make you feel like the ocean is yours and yours alone.

Right on the shores of Loch Fyne, The Douglas Boathouse is a love letter to the sea. Originally a fisherman’s home, now a carefully restored retreat, this place is built for watching the water shift and shimmer from dawn till dusk. Floor-to-ceiling glass gives you uninterrupted sea loch views while you stretch out on the corner sofa, and a sunken patio with a firebowl means nights are spent under a sky full of stars, wrapped in the scent of sea air and wood smoke. Outside, balconies jut over the water, perfect for morning coffee or an evening dram. The sea loch itself is yours to explore. Bring a kayak, go wildlife spotting, or just watch the tides roll in and out.

No one leaves Sandy Toes Beach House without a bit of sun-streaked hair and an aversion to shoes. This is the kind of place where you lose track of time, and saltwater lingers on your skin long after you’ve left the sea. A hideaway on stilts, overlooking the ever-changing North Kent coast, this house is all about slow, sandy mornings and long, lazy evenings. There’s a nudist beach 150m away – whether that’s an invitation or a warning, we’ll let you decide. Wander the wetlands, spot wildlife, and breathe in the briny air. Off-grid doesn’t mean uncomfortable. There’s hot water, central heating, stacks of board games, and, if you’re feeling extra indulgent, the option to book a spa treatment that rivals anything you’d find in Mayfair.

If you were any closer to the sea, you’d need a wetsuit. Hive Beach House is right on the shore, outside Burton Bradstock, with nothing but open water and a 15-mile stretch of golden sand that disappears into the horizon. Mornings start with salt air pouring through the French doors, and if you time it right, a sunrise dip before coffee. The sauna is there for post-swim defrosting, the sunken firepit is waiting for starlit conversation, and the BBQ is primed for sunset al fresco dinners with fresh-off-the-boat seafood. The South West Coast Path runs right past your door, and the famous Hive Beach Café is within arm’s reach, serving up local lobster.

A sailor’s retreat, a dreamer’s hideout. Bowcombe Boathouse clings to the edge of the estuary, painted in deep teal with aged brass accents and a scattering of foraged seaside treasures. Your main mode of transport – kayak. There’s a private jetty, so you can paddle straight out, exploring the inlets before gliding into Kingsbridge for a lazy lunch. The welcome gin and rum stash that has been thoughtfully left in the dresser makes post-adventure sundowners on the deck extremely tempting. Evenings unfold in front of the wood burner, with board games, blankets, and the lull of the tide outside.