Top 10 British beach houses on HomeAway.co.uk

From Wales to Suffolk and the Isle of Wight, find a beach retreat for your bucket-and-spade holiday

20/06/2012 – Stretching over 11,000 miles, the British coastline is awash with Blue Flag beaches, quaint fishing villages and dramatic scenery. There’s always something to explore, so if you’re looking for a popular beach resort or just a cosy retreat by the sea, HomeAway.co.uk, the UK’s number one holiday rentals website, now has more than 1,500 beach properties available to rent in the UK. To showcase best on offer, the website has compiled a list of the ten best beach houses available to rent in Britain this summer, from favourite destinations in Cornwall to quiet beach locations in Devon and Dorset.

Live the high life in Falmouth, Cornwall at a fabulous estate with indoor pool and private beach, or laze by the pool at your very own beachfront house at Widemouth Bay. Alternatively, for a bit of fun, go snorkelling with the seals on the Isle of Scilly and admire stunning island views from a grand 18th century Grade II listed house. For those keen on walking holidays, there is a beautiful country house in Wales set on a 168 acre private estate with a beach and cliff top walks, while couples can enjoy a spot of peace at a cosy beach cottage in Devon.

Holiday at home this summer and experience the best the UK has to offer. Choose from one of the properties below or browse www.HomeAway.co.ukfor hundreds more.

Prices quoted are per property per week and correct at the time of going to press.

Top 10 British beach house on HomeAway.co.uk

CORNWALL
Fabulous waterfront estate with indoor pool and private beach, Falmouth
10 Bedrooms, Sleeps 27. From £3,000 per property per week
This fabulous waterfront home has a 200ft frontage to the Port Navas Creek on the stunning Helford River and its own private shingle beach, slipway, quay and dock. The country house is set in two acres of stunning, sub-tropical gardens and woodland and has a large west facing patio with glorious views of the creek. It features ten bedrooms, six bathrooms, a delightful games room with a snooker/pool table and complimentary wireless broadband. There is a fabulous private, heated, indoor pool and spa.
www.HomeAway.co.uk/p14647

Fabulous house 500m from the beach, Widemouth Bay
5 Bedrooms, Sleeps 14. From £945 per property per week
Nestled in the valley close to Widemouth Bay, Brocksmoor House is within yards of the coastal path and beaches of Wanson Mouth and a short distance from the main beaches at Widemouth Bay. With five bedrooms, five bathrooms and plenty of living space, the house offers a really fabulous setting for get-togethers and family holidays. A good sized games room is perfect for keeping everyone entertained and there is a Wii too. Outside there is the swimming pool and also a large grassed area which is perfect for ball games or sitting quietly away from the hustle and bustle.
www.HomeAway.co.uk/p894676

Stylish and comfortable house with sea views in St Ives
3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 8. From £800 per property per week
The house sits in a lovely garden with sun deck and boule court, has two large double rooms, both with sea views, and a good sized third room with two bunk beds. The master bedroom has a floor to ceiling ocean view window and en-suite shower room. Upstairs a large kitchen is the ideal spot for long lazy meals around the farmhouse kitchen table. A comfortable sitting room with plenty of family entertainment, board games, widescreen TV, DVD and video player, Wii and a selection of books and maps, completes the offering.
www.HomeAway.co.uk/p469610

Beautiful 18th Century home on the Isles of Scilly
4 Bedrooms, Sleeps 8. From £750 per property per week
A grand 18th Century Grade II listed family home with spectacular views of the Isles of Scilly archipelago. One of the finest locations on the islands, this historic house on the Garrison peninsula offers panoramic views of the sea and the other islands. There is a beautiful garden with direct access to a splendid rocky foreshore. The islands provide for a huge range of leisure activities and are ideal for family holidays, romantic getaways, nature lovers or activity based breaks for anyone interested in sailing, swimming, diving, riding, bird watching or walking. The house features a stately dining room with open hearth, an elegant sitting room with 160 degree sea views and two light and spacious twin rooms with dormer windows.
www.HomeAway.co.uk/p863922

SUFFOLK
Modern beachside house with private balconies and sea views, Aldeburgh
6 Bedrooms, Sleeps 14. From £1,789 per property per week
Strafford House is one of Aldeburgh’s significant Grade II listed properties. Recently refurbished to a luxury finish and superbly equipped, it is ideal for a traditional family holiday or get together with friends. On the ground floor you will find a large sitting room with comfortable sofas, SKY TV and bay window overlooking the beach. There is a stylish dining hall with seating for 14 and double doors opening into the newly fitted, spacious kitchen and morning room. There is also a first floor drawing room for guests to relax and enjoy the sea views.
www.HomeAway.co.uk/p424501

ISLE OF WIGHT
Superb newly built seaside house in Seaview
4 Bedrooms, Sleeps 10. From £1,375 per property per week
The Sea House has been awarded the 5* Gold Award by Quality in Tourism. The open plan ground floor contains a spacious lounge, kitchen, dining and family area with patio doors opening up on to a terrace and a lawn stretching down to the foreshore. On the first floor there are three large en-suite bedrooms, a further children’s bedroom and a family bathroom. The master bedrooms are sea-facing, opening on to a balcony which runs along the whole width of the house, with panoramic views of Seagrove Bay and beyond. The house is situated right on the seafront of the picturesque Seagrove Bay. The charming village of Seaview, with its well known sailing facilities, is only a short walk away.
www.HomeAway.co.uk/p485099

WALES
Stunning country house in 168 acres of coastal estate with private beach
7 Bedrooms, Sleeps 14. From £1,680 per property per week
Llanlliana House is a beautifully renovated country house set in 168 acres of private estate in a designated area of outstanding natural beauty, which includes a private beach, coastal cliff top walks, St Patricks Island and the most northern point of Wales. The house is very secluded and just a five minute walk to the cove and Anglesey Coastal Path. It boasts seven bedrooms, so is ideal for large family holidays and special celebrations. Beautiful period details combine with an abundance of modern technology, while WiFi, iPod docks, Wii and a variety of games are also available.
www.HomeAway.co.uk/p831584

SUSSEX
Beautiful seaside house with large secluded rear garden, Arun
4 Bedrooms, Sleeps 9. From £2,000 per property per week
The property is a beautiful detached seaside house, which has charm and character set in a lovely well maintained garden. Built in the 1930s it has retained many of its original features. Located seconds away from a quiet beach in Sussex, the house has been finished to a very high standard with beautiful up to date interiors including all modern appliances. There is a large garden to the rear with seating for eight people and a BBQ, while to the front of the house there is a perfect area for  sunbathing.
www.HomeAway.co.uk/p425596

DORSET
Idyllic seafront Georgian thatched cottage in Lyme Regis
3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 6. From £660 per property per week
Located on the beachfront, just beyond the high tide wall, Madeira Cottage was built in 1818. With its distinctive bay windows it is frequently pictured on chocolate boxes! Perfect for all ages, its current owners have used this Grade II listed building as a treasured family retreat for ten years. With its low ceilings and gently sloping floors it still retains much original period charm which is enhanced by the simple antique furniture and tasteful furnishings.
www.HomeAway.co.uk/p66356

DEVON
River beach cottage with panoramic views in Teignmouth
2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 4. From £400 per property per week
A cosy beach property situated at the end of a quiet lane leading directly on to the beach and renowned for its unique porch, the cottage has magnificent views from all its rooms, overlooking the river Teign to Shaldon and onwards up to Dartmoor. The cottage has just been refurbished throughout to a very high standard. The ground floor comprises of entrance hall, bathroom complete with bath and shower, a fully equipped fitted kitchen and stairs leading on to a lounge comprising the whole of the first floor with extensive views of the harbour and estuary.
www.HomeAway.co.uk/p473159