Check out our choice of holiday cottages by the sea. Explore these idyllic coastal properties and find the perfect destination for your next seaside escape.
If you’re planning a UK holiday with family, friends or your partner, seaside cottages are a great place to start looking.
Holidays by the beach are fun for all ages, and the UK has plenty of choices available when it comes to coastal cottages. It doesn’t matter whether you’re booking a romantic break, an action-packed family holiday or a group getaway with friends – seaside holidays are always a good time.
Spend your days wandering along coastal paths, soaking up the sun, enjoying stunning scenery or just relaxing with your toes in the warm sand. To help you narrow down your search, we at Breakfree Holidays have put together a list of six of our favourite self-catering holiday cottages. Let’s take a look!
List of Seaside Cottages
1. Mariners Cottage (Mousehole, Cornwall)
2. The Stables (Perranporth, Cornwall)
3. Cliff Cottage (Brixham, Devon)
4. Sundial House (Lyme Regis, Dorset)
5. On the Beach (Balintore, Scotland)
6. Chocolate Box (Brighton, Sussex)
Mariners Cottage
Location: Mousehole, Cornwall
Great for: Family getaways in a coastal cottage
Cornwall is an obvious starting point if you’re looking for beach cottages in the south west, and this beautiful holiday home in Mousehole makes it easy to see why. The cottage dates all the way back to the 17th century, but has a gorgeous modern interior – it’s the perfect combination of old and new.
Mousehole itself is a quaint little fishing village. Spend your days exploring its winding streets, pottering around the shops or chilling out on the beach. You can drive to Lamorna Cove Beach in under 15 minutes, but if you fancy a walk, it’s only an hour away via a fantastic coastal path.
Facilities: Mariners Cottage has two bedrooms, one double and one twin, so it can comfortably sleep four guests. You’re also welcome to bring a small and well-behaved dog with you, so you can bring the whole family along for your trip.
There’s also a nice open-plan kitchen, dining and living room area. The kitchen is well equipped with everything you’ll need to rustle up a tasty dinner, but the centre of Mousehole is just a five-minute walk away, so you can eat out if you prefer.
Guests at this lovely beach cottage are blessed with spectacular views of the beautiful coastline, and the table outside in the garden provides a stunning backdrop for al fresco dining in the summer sunshine. Crack open a bottle of something sparkling, and enjoy yourselves!
The Stables
Location: Perranporth, near Truro, Cornwall
Great for: Luxury and romance for two
Truro is one of the most popular destinations in Cornwall and the south west, and a stay at the Stables is a brilliant choice for a coastal break in this part of the county. This cosy cottage is perfect for couples in search of romance. It’s in a secluded countryside location but has easy access to some of the best beaches in North Cornwall.
The property has one large double bedroom, with a comfortable king-size bed. The high ceilings and open-plan living area create a real sense of space, and guests will feel right at home. The property is also suitable for wheelchair users and travellers with reduced mobility.
Facilities: This one-bedroom cottage has plenty of luxurious touches to make you feel pampered: crisp bedsheets, big fluffy towels and a spacious en-suite bathroom. It’s certainly easy to get swept up in the romance of it all. You’ll find a large open-plan living area with a comfortable sofa and a couple of armchairs, as well as a well-equipped kitchen and a dining table.
Spend your evenings relaxing with your loved one and watching a film or two on the lounge’s smart TV. Alternatively, enjoy a meal out on the patio before hopping into the hot tub for a relaxing soak. It’s heaven!
Cliff Cottage
Location: Brixham, Devon
Great for: Clifftop stays with sweeping sea views
You’ll have no trouble finding this South Devon property! Its striking blue exterior, unusual shape and clifftop location definitely draw the eye. As well as its unusual appearance, it has a lot to offer guests looking for coastal cottages.
Although it has an unconventional shape, the cottage is surprisingly spacious. From almost every window, you’ll be able to enjoy beautiful views of the sea, and the interior’s sea-inspired colour palette helps bring the outdoors in. You’ll also be just a stone’s throw from fish and chip shops, the harbour and plenty of pubs! Relax on the outdoor deck and enjoy the gorgeous sea view.
This little haven really is a great choice of self-catering accommodation.
Facilities: Cliff Cottage is a two-bedroom property, ideal for families or small groups. The master bedroom has a king-size bed, while the second bedroom has two twins (but these can be made up as a king if you’re travelling as two couples). There’s a large family bathroom upstairs, plus an extra WC downstairs.
The living area consists of an open-plan kitchen, dining area and living space, so you’ll have plenty of room to cook, eat and chill out as a group. What’s more, there’s a beautiful balcony with patio furniture if you want to eat outdoors, and a barbecue for cooking up a storm out in the sun! What more could you want? It’s the holiday cottage of your dreams.
Sundial House
Location: Lyme Regis, Dorset
Great for: Memorable group trips in the Pearl of Dorset
If you’re looking for coastal cottages located in the heart of a town centre, you can’t go wrong with a trip to Lyme Regis. Sundial House is an ideal choice of accommodation for your stay. This Grade II listed building is right on the seafront, offering panoramic views over the water and direct beach access. Coastal holiday cottages don’t get much better than this!
The property itself overlooks the Cobb, and there are plenty of things to do just a short walk away. Head to a water sports centre for a day of sailing on the open seas, or visit friendly pubs and top-class restaurants in town.
When you’ve finished exploring Lyme Regis itself, take a drive down the stunning area of the Jurassic Coast. Go fossil hunting or take a trip to some other seaside towns – Dorset, for example, is easily reachable by car. It’s also not far to the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Facilities: This self-catering cottage near the beach has a whopping five bedrooms and can sleep up to nine guests. It’s a fantastic place to stay if you’re travelling with a big group of friends. The ground floor has a spacious lounge with plenty of seating space, plus a little balcony. You could easily while away a few hours soaking in the sea view here!
Head upstairs to find the kitchen, complete with a gorgeous Aga and a Belfast sink. There’s so much character in this room alone, you’ll want to eat here every night. The first and second floors are home to the five bedrooms; three are doubles, one is a single and one has a set of bunk beds.
All bedrooms in this holiday cottage boast views of the sea or the pretty garden. If you’re wondering about the outside space, fear not – there’s plenty! Out the front, you’ll find a raised terrace with beautiful plants – it’s a great place for a spot of lunch. At the back of the seaside cottage is a terraced garden with views over the Dorset coastline. There’s also a roof terrace with even more coastal views. Sundial House really is the perfect place for a holiday by the sea.
On the Beach
Location: Balintore, Scotland
Great for: Group getaways in an idyllic fishing village
As far as beach cottages go, this is a whopper. This self-catering seaside cottage is actually a detached house that’s right on the seafront. Only a stone’s throw from a vast sandy beach, with sea views and easy access to the picturesque fishing village of Balintore, this holiday home couldn’t get much better.
Scotland might not be well known for its sandy beaches, but Balintore and the nearby village of Shandwick are excellent destinations for a UK beach holiday. Marine animals like dolphins and seals are often spotted in the waters here, and seabirds are regularly seen soaring above the sands.
On the Beach is a self-catering property with a spacious kitchen and dining area, but it’s also just a short walk away from pubs, restaurants and a village shop, so you can eat out during your stay without having to drive.
Facilities: The property was built in 2021, so it’s stylishly decorated and equipped with all manner of mod cons. The house has four bedrooms and sleeps up to eight guests. Two of the bedrooms have comfortable king-size beds, while the other two are equipped with twins. Three bedrooms have en-suite bathrooms, and there’s a family bathroom too, meaning no bickering over the shower in the morning.
On the Beach also has a large, bright and modern kitchen and dining room, with everything you need to cook. The living room is also big, with a huge L-shaped sofa to ensure that everyone in your group has a comfy spot to relax in. The living room also has a balcony, where guests can breathe in the fresh sea air and soak in the beautiful views.
With plenty of space for everyone and up to two pets allowed to come along too, On the Beach makes a perfect holiday home for your next group getaway. No man left behind!
Chocolate Box
Location: Brighton, Sussex
Great for: Stylish decoration and room for big groups
Chocolate Box is a sumptuously decorated holiday cottage in the very centre of Brighton. Its cool art deco design will have you and all your friends feeling like you’re on a film set, and its fantastic location close to the beach and local amenities means you’ll have no need for buses or taxis. Just take a stroll for a few minutes in any direction and you’ll find yourself in the very heart of the city.
Despite its central setting, the cottage is on a quiet road, so you shouldn’t be disturbed by party-goers or traffic.
Facilities: It might not look big from the outside, but Chocolate Box has five bedrooms plus a sofa bed, so it can actually sleep an enormous 18 guests! One bedroom has two twin beds; another two bedrooms have triple adult bunk beds (a double bed on the base with a single over the top – it’s pretty nifty!); the last two rooms also have a triple bunk bed, plus a regular set of bunk beds, sleeping up to five.
The dining table can also be extended to an enormous length, to seat up to, so whoever you’re planning to bring along will find room at this holiday home! The cottage also has four bathrooms, an open-plan kitchen and a little courtyard out the back.
Comfortable, cool and with heaps of bedroom space, this really is an ideal cottage if you’re in the mood to hit the town with a big group of pals. What a treat!
Self-Catering Holiday Cottages by the Sea
Coastal holiday cottages are a perfect choice for a fun family holiday. With stunning sea views, easy access to vast beaches and plenty of fun activities to keep you and your fellow travellers entertained, beach cottages have got something for everyone.
Whether you want to be within walking distance of cultural hotspots and attractions, or you’d prefer to stay off the beaten track in secluded beach cottages, a stay in a cottage booked with Breakfree Holidays is the answer!
Need more inspiration before you book? Take a look at these holiday cottages in Cornwall and start narrowing down your choice.