10 Beachside Boltholes for 2026 with Sea Views
There’s something about the start of a new year that makes us crave a fresh horizon – and few things deliver that feeling quite like a cottage by the sea. Whether it’s a spontaneous weekend away, a midweek reset, or a long-awaited summer holiday, a beachside bolthole with sea views offers the perfect blend of comfort and calm. And as we look ahead to 2026, the appetite for seaside holidays shows no sign of slowing down.
A true bolthole is more than just somewhere to sleep. It’s a place you arrive at and immediately exhale – where mornings begin with the light moving across the water and evenings end with the sound of the tide in the background. Add a sea view and you’ve got that extra touch of magic that makes a stay feel special, even if you never stray far from the property.
In this blog, we’re highlighting 10 beachside boltholes for 2026 with sea views – carefully chosen coastal stays in some of the UK’s best coastal locations where the sea is always part of the experience. Before we dive into our 10 sea-view boltholes for 2026, here’s what makes coastal stays with a view so special – and what to check for before you book.
Why Sea Views Make a Coastal Break Feel So Much Better
A sea view doesn’t just look good in photos – it changes how your break feels. There’s a reason people are drawn to water. Watching the sea helps you slow down, gives you something calming to focus on, and brings an instant sense of escapism that’s hard to recreate elsewhere.
Sea-view stays tend to encourage:
- More time in the moment, rather than rushing from place to place
- More natural downtime, with the view as entertainment
- A deeper sense of being away, even on short breaks
Whether you’re booking for a celebration, a family holiday or a quiet escape, the sea becomes a backdrop to everything – coffee on the terrace, reading by the window, late-night chats, and slow mornings where nobody’s checking the clock.
What Exactly Is a “Beachside Bolthole”?
The best boltholes are simple in concept: small-to-medium-sized coastal retreats that feel effortless. They’re often:
- Close to the beach (or right on it)
- Full of natural light
- Designed for comfort and relaxation
- Ideal for couples, friends, or small families
- Perfect for short breaks — but tempting enough to stay longer
In other words: the kind of place you book once and immediately want to return to.
When boltholes also offer sea views, they tend to feel even more special. You’re not just near the coast – you’re living in it, surrounded by that soft, salt-air atmosphere from arrival to departure.
What to Look for When Booking a Sea-View Stay for 2026
Sea-view properties are hugely popular, especially with families during school holidays and key weekends, so planning ahead is always worth it. But beyond availability, it helps to know what makes a good sea-view bolthole.
1) Is the sea view truly front-facing?
Some properties have partial or side views, while others have uninterrupted panoramas. If the view is a key part of your break, look for listings with:
- Clear images showing the view from inside
- Details like “uninterrupted sea views” or “frontline coastal position”
- Balconies, terraces or large windows facing the water
2) Do you have outdoor space?
A bolthole becomes even better when you can sit outside with the sea in front of you. Even a small terrace can transform a stay — breakfast outdoors, sunset drinks, or simply stepping out with a coffee and watching the tide.
3) How close is the beach?
“Beachside” can mean many things. For a true bolthole feel, proximity matters. Look for:
- Direct beach access
- A short, flat walk to the shoreline
- Coastal paths nearby for morning and evening walks
If you’re travelling with children or dogs, easy access makes everything feel smoother.
4) Parking is a bigger deal than you think
In popular seaside spots, parking can be the difference between a relaxed arrival and a stressful start. Where possible, prioritise properties with:
- Private parking
- Allocated spaces
- Easy loading/unloading access
This is particularly valuable in high season and in coastal towns where public parking fills early.
5) Comfort matters for all seasons
Many guests now book coastal stays beyond summer – and sea views are arguably even more magical in autumn and winter. For year-round appeal, look for boltholes that offer:
- Cosy interiors and good heating
- A fireplace or wood burner (where available)
- Big windows for storm watching
- Nearby pubs, cafés and shops for relaxed exploring
A sea-view cottage should feel like a treat in any weather.
10 Beachside Holiday Homes with Sea Views
1) East Sussex Beachfront Home with Hot Tub
Sleeps 12 – 5 Bedrooms – Hot Tub – No Pets
A fabulous large beachfront house in Cooden, Bexhill-on-Sea that sleeps 12. Bring together friends and family for a holiday to remember in this striking beachfront property on the East Sussex coast. The impressive holiday home boasts large social spaces for enjoying quality time together and has a whole host of luxurious facilities to enjoy, including a swimming pool, hot tub, and TV room.
2) Isle of Wight Seafront Holiday Cottage
Sleeps 6 – 3 Bedrooms – Pet Friendly
Stylish seaside cottage on the beachfront in Bonchurch near Ventnor on the Isle of Wight with direct beach access and wonderful sea views, the cottage sleeps 6 with pets welcome making it ideal for family friendly coastal breaks. Entering the cottage, you’ll find an open-plan living area with superb sea views through its floor-to-ceiling windows, and patio doors that open out onto the garden. This room has comfortable seating and a Smart TV/DVD. The dining area with circular table provides a relaxing place to enjoy meals, whilst you can continue to marvel at the magnificent sea just beyond.
3) Downderry Cottage with Direct Beach Access
Sleeps 6 – 3 Bedrooms – Hot Tub – No Pets
A recently renovated beachfront cottage with dreamy sea views in Downderry, Cornwall that sleeps 6 with direct beach access and bang on the South West coastal path. Find a gorgeous bar and cafe just a stroll away and enjoy lazy days living on the beach. Other great local beach destinations along the coastal path include Portwrinkle Beach, just 3 miles heading East and the lovely seaside town of Looe heading 4 miles West.
4) Treyarnon Bay Beach House, North Cornwall
Sleeps 11 – 5 Bedrooms – Pet Friendly
Large detached holiday cottage in Cornwall sleeping 11 in 5 bedrooms located on the clifftop overlooking Treyarnon Bay with direct access onto the coast path and beach below. The beach at Treyarnon Bay is quite literally on the doorstep with a beach shop and pop up seasonal cafe located in the main car park opposite the beach. A larger selection of amenities including pub, restaurant, fish and chip shop, post office store within a Spar shop and bakery are located in the nearby village of St Merryn which can be reached within a few minutes drive.
5) Large Terrace on the Beach near Hastings
Sleeps 11 – 6 Bedrooms – Pet Friendly
Located directly on St Leonards seafront, this stylish dog friendly holiday home sleeps 11 in 6 bedrooms ideal for a large family getaway or group holiday in Sussex with friends. Hastings Old Town boasts quirky streets with a wide range of pubs, restaurants and shops, and is connected to the stunning Hastings Country Park with its endless footpaths or via one of the steepest funicular railways in England.
6) Luxury Apartment on the Beach in Sandbanks, Dorset
Sleeps 6 – 3 Bedrooms – No Pets
Located behind the sand dunes of Sandbanks Beach, this five star holiday apartment in Dorset boasts spectacular sea views and direct beach access. Nearby you can enjoy water-sports activities; Sandbanks chain-ferry crossing to the Purbecks; wonderful restaurants such as Rick Steins & Shell Bay; Sandbanks Yacht Club and much more.
7) Large Dog Friendly Beach House, Near Pevensey Bay
Sleeps 10 – 4 Bedrooms – Pet Friendly
Four bedroom dog friendly beach house in Normans Bay, Sussex that sleeps 10 located right on the beach and perfect for friends and family planning a coastal break. Tucked away within the idyllic Normans Bay, this spacious house is right on the beach and perfect for friends and family looking to spend some quality time together.
8) Luxury Cottage on the Beach, Whitstable
Sleeps 4 – 2 Bedrooms – Pet Friendly
Luxury Whitstable cottage sitting directly on the beach in Kent, sleeps four with private parking and two dogs allowed. The house enjoys sea views making this the perfect property for families looking for a seaside escape. Whitstable is well known for its oysters which are celebrated every August at the Oyster Festival and this picturesque seaside town is renowned for its culinary heritage, with several local pubs and restaurants just moments from the cottage.
9) Bude Beachfront House, North Cornwall
Sleeps 6 – 3 Bedrooms – Pet Friendly
Three bedroom fabulous beach house directly on the beach in Cornwall near Bude that sleeps six with pets welcome, the ultimate family friendly accommodation for a beach holiday in the South West of England. This fabulous beach house is situated directly on the beach and is the perfect family bolt hole for families and couples wanting some sea air and beach adventure.
10) Couples Hot Tub Lodge with Sea Views, Whitsand Bay
Sleeps 2 – 2 Bedrooms – Hot Tub – Pet Friendly
Cornwall luxury coastal escape overlooking Whitsand Bay with pets welcome and a private hot tub, this beachfront lodge enjoys uninterrupted sea views and access to a secluded beach. If you are looking for the perfect luxury coastal escape with a real ‘wow factor’, then this is the place for you! This superb 1950s clifftop property, rebuilt in the 1980s then redesigned and refurbished in 2017, is nestled into the cliffs and sits in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty overlooking the sea.
Why 2026 Is the Year to Book That Coastal Escape
If there’s one travel trend that continues to grow, it’s the desire for breaks that feel restorative. Beachfront cottages offer exactly that – fresh air, a slower pace, and natural scenery that makes you feel better just by being in it.
And sea views add something extra. They turn your accommodation into part of the destination. Even on days when you don’t feel like doing much, the view makes staying in feel worthwhile – and that’s the true luxury of a bolthole.
If you’re booking for 2026, it’s also worth considering:
- Shoulder season breaks (spring and autumn) for quieter beaches and better value
- Midweek stays for more availability and a calmer pace
- Early booking for the best choice of sea-view properties
The Joy of a Beachside Holiday Home with a View
A beachside bolthole is all about the feeling it gives you: ease, comfort, and that subtle shift into holiday mode the moment you arrive. Add a sea view and the experience becomes even more immersive – a front-row seat to the coastline, from sunrise light to late-evening skies.
Whether you’re dreaming of a romantic retreat, a small family escape or a few days by the water with friends, these 10 beachside boltholes for 2026 are designed to help you make the most of your time by the sea – with the view as your constant companion.
At Beachlets, we specialise in coastal accommodation that puts you close to the shoreline, with properties chosen for their location, comfort and setting. Wherever you decide to book, one thing’s certain: sea views never go out of style.