A Weekend Away by the Sea

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Sometimes there is nothing better than a classic British seaside holiday and we are so lucky in the UK to have such a beautiful coastline. Spending a day on the beach, having ice cream in the dunes, or surfing in the sea – whatever your interests are, there is something to keep the whole family entertained, even the dog.

However, I don’t know about you but I don’t want the traditional seaside town. I’m looking for cute places to stay, to have cocktails overlooking the sea, and to treat myself in local boutiques. At the moment traveling abroad may not be on the cards so why not explore some of the quaint seaside towns that may be just around the corner from you.

Below I give you my top 10 places to go for a perfect weekend by the sea.

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Artist Residence, Brighton

If you are looking for somewhere to stay that is stylish, luxurious, and just bloody amazing, then book a stay at the Artist Residence. The rooms are so beautifully decorated that you will want to stay in all of them, but treat yourself to the Bigger Balcony Sea View room, for not only the most amazing room but you guessed it, an incredible balcony that looks perfectly out to the sea and old pier. The clubhouse offers amazing drinks, so you can have a cheeky cocktail while you get ready for dinner or while you are enjoying being sat on your balcony and watching the world go by. They also do a delicious range for breakfast, so just pop down the stairs in the morning to fill your belly for a morning exploring Brighton. They really know how to make every aspect of your stay special and all the staff are so friendly and helpful it just made our stay even more perfect.

To find out more what to do in Brighton, check out my blog post here.

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Cabin of the Cliff

Expect to be wowed from the moment you open the door at the Cabin on the Cliff. Nestled on the cliffs of Whitsand Bay, is a luxury seaside cottage that you will want to book now for your next romantic getaway. With 2 roaring fires, a hot tub outside with the most unspoiled, amazing views out to sea, and a copper roll-top bath in the bedroom, it doesn’t get more romantic than this. If you have a four-legged friend who would like to join you on your trips, then don’t worry, they are welcome to join in the fun too. The owners of this eco-cabin have thought out every detail to make your stay even more special and even provide you with raincoats, wellies, and beach towels, so you can enjoy your stay no matter what the weather. This would make for a perfect staycation for anyone looking to celebrate an anniversary, birthday, or even a honeymoon due to it being secluded and just breathtaking.

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Fowey Harbour Hotel

Nestled into the west bank of the River Fowey, with picture-perfect views over Fowey’s estuary, the stylish Fowey Harbour Hotel has everything you could want and more. With 37 individually styled rooms and with all of the Harbour Hotels’ Little Luxuries you would expect, including complimentary gin & sherry, and all just a few steps away from the beach, this makes for a perfect seaside getaway. They have newly renovated the hotel in 2019, so expect vibrant and colourful contemporary interiors throughout. Most of the rooms have the most breathtaking views out to estuary and harbour so you can have a slice of the seaside whatever room you decide to stay in. The hotel features a stunning wrap-around terrace, and two-tiered gardens, an upper garden next to the hotel and a lower garden situated down some steps right at the water’s edge. You can enjoy a glass of gin and watch the boats come in and out of the estuary all day long and the hotel’s Kitchen, Bar & Terrace offers casual, all-day dining – with those enviable views to marvel at.

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Gara Rock

Luxury critically-acclaimed clifftop hotel in Salcombe, Gara Rock has the best unspoilt panoramic coastal views. You can pick from rooms, suites, apartments and cottages to stay in so whether it’s a romantic holiday for 2 or a staycation with the family, you can find the perfect base for you. They are so much more than just a hotel too, with a delicious restaurant and bar to unwind with a bottle of wine and dinner in, a cinema room to cosy up to and watch your favourite film, and an indulgent spa with an indoor and outdoor pool which all overlook the sea. You can walk to Salcombe along the coast path which is a lovely walk and then get a boat over to the Island, but I believe they can even offer to drive you to the boat and back if you aren’t up to walking. If you are looking to escape the 9-5 and completely switch off, then this is the place for you.

For more information on what to do in and around Salcombe, check out my blog here.

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Shaldon Beach Huts

Imagine waking up and just seeing the waves of the sea as your only view. These adorable beach huts have been converted into a romantic seaside getaway for two. With an open plan kitchen and living area downstairs and glorious bifold doors so your views are never compromised whatever the weather. Upstairs is an intimate mezzanine bedroom reached by a sliding ladder which makes for a cosy hideaway to snuggle into on cold and stormy sea days. There is a paved terrace, where you can really wine and dine in style, as you watch the most magical sunsets, or treat yourself to an alfresco breakfast and overlook bobbing fishing boats and the famous red sandy beach. There is even an access ladder straight onto the sandy beach so you can easily tip your toes in the sea.

For more idea on what to do in and around Shaldon, have a look at my blog here.

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The Lobster Residence

Whether you want a romantic break for two by the sea, or you are looking for a family holiday, The Lobster Residence can sleep up to 5 people plus the dog and makes for the most perfect stay. The property has been beautifully decorated throughout with touches of seaside charm and pops of colour that really makes this place stand out. There is an open plan living and dining area which creates a warm hub for people to relax in and there is one king-size master bedroom and a triple sleeper bunk for the family to stay if they want to join you too. Upon arrival, you will be treated to a delightful welcome hamper with locally sourced Cornish yummy goodies to dig into and start your holiday off right. This accommodation is located in the heart of St Ives so you are spoilt for choice with beaches to lay in, places to eat and drink and shops to explore.

For more things to do and see in and around St Ives, check out my blog here.

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The Pig on the Beach

This incredible yellow house situated along Studland Bay is a truly rural escape with uninterrupted views of the long stretches of Dorset’s coastlines that you will just want to sit in their beautiful garden and take in the views all day and night. If you are aware of The Pig Hotels, you will already know how exquisite and charming they are with all the finishing touches carefully thought of, throughout the hotel. With a walled kitchen garden to explore, a sea view conservatory restaurant to sip a cocktail in and have your dinner, and a winding path that goes down to the beach you really are in for a treat when staying here. They class themselves as restaurants with rooms as the focus of The Pig, is on the food they provide as they try and produce as much as they can themselves in their kitchen gardens or source from within 25-miles, so for foodie lovers, this is an unforgettable night away for you.

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The Scarlet

Winner of the ‘Seaside Hotel of the Year’ this laid-back hotel has everything you could ever want for a romantic holiday with magnificent views of the cliffs, sea, sand, and sky. The Scarlet offers many luxurious rooms with sea views and what better way to wake up in the morning to the sound of the sea. With balconies to sit out on and watch the crashing waves, to rooms with a garden to relax with a glass of wine, you will find the perfect room for you and your loved one. Surprisingly this luxury hotel also allows dogs, so you can spend your day on the beach below together. The Scarlet also has one of the most picturesque spa’s, with an indoor pool with the most insane views out to the sea and one of the most perfect hot tub locations, situated outside on the cliffside so you can really soak up all the views.

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The Swan

Situated in the heart of Southwold’s marketplace and just a few steps away from the beach and sea, The Swan is more than just a hotel. The hotel dates back to the 1600s and has been known to brew on-site for at least 670 years, so you will see nods of this history throughout the hotel. However, they have restored and beautifully decorated the hotel with bright, contemporary, and colourful furnishings and thoughtful touches throughout. They provide some of the most delicious food and cocktails on-site, so you only need to make your way downstairs to treat yourself to some incredible food. If you want to learn more about the history of Adnams, then why not take a tour of the brewery or distillery, or have a go at making your own bottle of gin. Whether you’re seeking an indulgent getaway, relaxation in the fresh sea air, or an insight into the crafts of brewing and distilling, they have it all.

For more of what to do in and around Southwold, check out my blog here.

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Watergate Bay Hotel

Set on the most spectacular, two-mile surfing beach, Watergate Bay Hotel is the perfect destination for a staycation by the beach. With so many beautiful rooms to choose from whether you fancy a cosy snug or a whole suite, they have so many on offer and some with incredible views out to sea. They have 3 different places to eat so you can decide whether you want to unwind in an armchair in the winter or sit on the decked ocean-view terrace in summer with a cocktail or afternoon tea, or head to Zacry’s or the Beach Hut for more formal dining. There are so many fun activities to do on-site too, whether you want to get away for a coastal fitness break, try some yoga or pilates or why not try surfing while your here. If that’s not for you, then simply laze around in their spa all day and swim in the 25-meter infinity pool, put your feet up in the outdoor hot tub, or take time out for a treatment.