Coastal Holiday Cottages by the Sea

Browse coastal holiday cottages across the UK, from stays with direct beach access or sea views to homes within walking distance of the shore or a short drive from the coast.

The right coastal cottage depends on what you want from the location. You may be looking for a beach on the doorstep, a sea view from the property, a walk to a harbour or coast path, or a practical base for exploring a stretch of coastline. Use the filters to narrow your search, then check each listing for the exact coastal relationship, distance and access details before booking.

 

A large rural cottage with 3 terraces, gardens and a hot tub.
  • Sleeps 12
  • Bedrooms 5

Watersend is a quiet and luxurious holiday home with a hot tub located in Watergate Bay on the stunning Cornish coast. With bi-fold doors that provide breathtaking views of the sea, a cinema room, and four en-suite bedrooms, this spacious vacation rental is perfect for family holidays and short getaways. Additionally, it offers ample, off-road parking space, making it convenient for multiple guests with vehicles. Book now for an unforgettable coastal retreat in Cornwall!

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A spacious oak-beamed double bedroom with a bed, wardrobe and large sofa.
  • Sleeps 8
  • Bedrooms 4

Apple Mill is a delightful Grade II listed holiday cottage in East Devon, accessed via its own driveway. This large rural retreat near Tipton St John sleeping 8 has a secluded, private garden, hot tub and courtyard.

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Exterior of an Exmoor rural cottage with a garden full of shrubs.
  • Sleeps 5
  • Bedrooms 3

Allerford is one of twelve 4-Star Exmoor Holiday Cottages in the beautiful Avill valley near Dunster, sleeping five in three bedrooms. Use indoor pool, spa, games room, tennis court, trampoline, play centre, etc. Families and pets are most welcome.

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A light and spacious, lavishly furnished open-plan living area, with original artwork on the walls.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

A distinct coastal vibe permeates Fish and Ships, a contemporary coastal cottage in the heart of Whitby in North Yorkshire. Whitby’s Harbour is a short walk from the apartment, which offers light and airy spaces with abundant natural light, relaxed sophistication, and an open-plan design.

  • Accessible By Train
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  • Sleeps 5
  • Bedrooms 3

Spectacular ocean views extend to the horizon from Galatea, a coastal cottage within the Whitby Lighthouse complex. The unique cottage offers elegant and light-filled accommodation, spacious furnished grounds, a refreshing sea breeze, sophistication, and seclusion within easy reach of the beach. 

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  • Sleeps 10
  • Bedrooms 5

Welcome to Yarrow, your large Jurassic Coast holiday cottage in charming Charmouth. This Dorset coastal retreat is perfect for families or friends seeking a break in all seasons. Yarrow is more than just a holiday let; it's a stylishly presented home away from home. Our property has undergone extensive renovations and extensions, ensuring your stay is nothing short of exceptional.

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A lighthouse on a clifftop overlooking the ocean.
  • Sleeps 5
  • Bedrooms 3

Situated on the grounds of a working lighthouse at the southernmost point in Devon, Landward Cottage near the abandoned coastal village of Hallsands overlooks Start Bay. It offers gorgeous sea views and a pet-friendly three-bedroom South Devon holiday cottage featuring a gravel patio and cosy sitting room.

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A large contemporary holiday home looks down over a large lawn.
  • Sleeps 10
  • Bedrooms 5

Welcome to Somerhill, a genuinely exceptional holiday cottage nestled in the heart of Lyme Regis. If you're seeking spacious and luxurious accommodation for your large family or group of friends, you've found it. Somerhill is your home away from home, complete with a stunning outdoor heated swimming pool, perfect for relaxation and fun for up to ten guests on the Dorset Coast.

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Behind a low stone wall and lawns stands a lighthouse tower and buildings.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

View Stopes Cottage at The Old Higher Lighthouse, an unusual Portland Bill holiday cottage with sea views near Weymouth in Dorset, offering a sensational and unique holiday home. Once the dwelling place of Marie Stopes, this converted Jurassic Coast Lighthouse sleeps 4 in 2 bedrooms.

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A partially thatched Dorset cottage overlooks a large and secure lawned garden.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 3

Enjoy the unspoilt beauty of the hamlet of Benville, Dorset, just as Thomas Hardy described it a century ago, with a stay at Benville Cottage, a historic child-friendly cottage with three bedrooms, a large garden with three terraced lawn areas, an Inglenook fireplace, and 17th-century stone wall carving.

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A Lighthouse tower and buildings on a grassy clifftop.
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 4

Enjoy a unique holiday at Veronica Cottage, a stylish coastal cottage within Anvil Point Lighthouse near Swanage. Set within Durleston Country Park, the contemporary cottage enjoys spectacular ocean views and access to the beautiful beaches of Dorset. It offers spacious grounds and a sea breeze.

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Exterior of a stone-built thatched cottage in Dorset.
  • Sleeps 3
  • Bedrooms 2

Dormouse Cottage is situated in the desirable Dorset village of Burton Bradstock. It is a stone-built cottage with a thatched roof and character. The pet-friendly cottage sits near the beach and offers a lovely courtyard, exposed beams, an inglenook fireplace, a cottage-style kitchen, and modern elegance.

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A 4-storey house with balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows within a well-kept, mature garden.
  • Sleeps 12
  • Bedrooms 6

Big Blue is a beautiful waterfront cottage that offers breathtaking views of the Bristol Channel. The Portishead holiday cottage features rustic antique furnishings and artwork that add to its old-world charm. Additionally, the cottage has floor-to-ceiling windows that offer expansive views of the sea, stretching all the way across to Wales. It is a secluded coastal cottage that is truly elegant and perfect for those seeking a relaxing retreat.

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Exterior of a thatched Abbotsbury holiday cottage with farm buildings behind.
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Enjoy the gentle allure of Dairy Cottage, a serene Dorset coast cottage in Abbotsbury. It offers rural views, a pet-friendly garden, and a cosy wood-burning stove. With three bedrooms, including two doubles and a twin, it comfortably accommodates six guests. The well-equipped farmhouse-style kitchen/diner is perfect for preparing and tucking into family meals. Explore nearby Abbotsbury, the Subtropical Gardens, and the Southwest Coast Path. Experience a wonderful Dorset holiday at this Abbotsbury holiday rental. Book now for an enriching escape amidst picturesque rural surroundings.

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A lighthouse and buildings now converted to holiday cottages gleams in the summer sun in Broadstairs.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Lodesman Cottage enjoys sweeping ocean views from its position within the North Foreland Lighthouse above the beaches of Broadstairs. The unique coastal holiday cottage in Kent sleeps 4 and offers sophisticated light and airy accommodation plus spacious grounds for relaxing in the sun and the light sea breeze.

  • Accessible By Train
  • Active Holidays
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  • Coastal Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Quirky Cottages
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  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages

Choose the right kind of coastal stay

“By the sea” can mean different things. A cottage with direct beach access offers a different experience from a property with a sea view, while a home a few miles inland may suit guests who want to explore several beaches and coastal towns by car.

If you are looking for…Check the listing for…
Time on the beachDirect access, walking distance, beach type and the route to the shore
A sea viewWhere the view is from and whether it is open, partial or seasonal
Coastal walksAccess to the coast path, route details and nearby parking
A family beach holidayBeach distance, parking, outdoor space and bedroom layout
A dog-friendly breakProperty dog rules and any seasonal restrictions on nearby beaches
A quieter coastal baseThe nearest town, beach, road access and local amenities

What to check before booking a cottage by the sea

  • Distance to the coast: Check whether the beach is on the doorstep, walkable or reached by car.
  • Beach access: Look at the route, including paths, steps, roads, cliffs or tide-dependent access where relevant.
  • Sea views: Confirm whether a view is from the property itself and which rooms or outdoor areas it can be enjoyed from.
  • The beach and local area: Sand, shingle, harbour, surf beach and coastal-path access can suit different kinds of break.
  • Parking and transport: Coastal villages and popular beaches can have limited parking, particularly in busy periods.
  • Dogs: Check both the cottage’s dog policy and the local beach restrictions for your travel dates.
  • Booking details: Confirm availability, stay length and total price for the dates you want.

More coastal holiday ideas

For properties by rivers, lakes, canals and other waterways, browse our waterside cottages. You can also combine your search with dog-friendly cottages, walking holidays, short breaks, cottages with hot tubs or cottages with swimming pools.

Frequently asked questions

No. Some have direct beach access, some have sea views or are within walking distance of the shore, and others are a short drive from the coast. Check the individual listing for the exact location details.

No. A coastal location does not automatically mean a sea view. Look for a specific sea-view description on the property listing.

This varies by property. Check the distance, route and access information before booking, especially if you are travelling with young children, limited mobility or a dog.

Many welcome dogs, but rules vary between properties and local beaches can have seasonal restrictions. Check both before making plans.

Not always. Waterside cottages can be beside rivers, lakes, canals or lochs. For a holiday focused on the sea and shoreline, use this Coastal Cottages collection.