6 Beach Hut Breaks

Coast editor Alex Fisher selects some of her favourite beach huts across the country that anyone can rent, for either day or overnight use

With long waiting lists and high prices beach huts can be hard to come by. However, you can have a taste of this great British holiday tradition with a break at one of the following destinations.

BEACH HUT 61, Old Hunstanton, Norfolk

WHY HERE? For wonderful sunsets over the sand dunes on your own veranda. In the summertime the hut provides the perfect retreat from the busy beach, where you can make your own picnics and settle down with a good book and a nice chilled bottle of wine.
WHAT CAN I SEE AND DO? The North Norfolk Coastline offers some fantastic opportunities for bird-watching, cycling and walking. The championship golf courses at Hunstanton and Brancaster are a couple of minutes away. Sandringham is within a 20-minute drive and if you want an absolutely amazing meal, treat yourself at The Neptune, just 10 minutes away.
CAN I SLEEP OVER? You cannot stay in this hut overnight.
WHAT DOES IT COST? Beach huts are available to rent from £191 for a week, in conjunction with a cottage booking. Norfolk Hideaways has 4 beach huts, with Shrimpers Beach Hut a short walk from the sea, while Beach Hut 193, The Hen House and Wells Beach Hut are on the beach.

HOW DO I BOOK? Visit norfolkhideaways.co.uk.

THE BLUE CABIN BY THE SEA, East Coast of Scotland

WHY HERE? The Blue Cabin can only be reached through a rock-cut smuggling tunnel and on foot across the beach. Set in a private harbour, visitors can while away the hours watching the fishermen coming and going.
WHAT CAN I SEE AND DO? There are clifftop walks (the cabin is at the east end of the Southern Upland Way). You can explore the ruins of Fast Castle, visible from the hut, or go bird-watching, sea-angling or surfing. Alternatively, take precious time out to explore your creativity and read, write or paint.
CAN I SLEEP OVER? Sleeps four. There is a box-bed and bunks.
WHAT DOES IT COST? From £850 a week, with shorter periods by agreement.
HOW DO I BOOK? Visit bluecabinbythesea.co.uk or call 07849 058493.

SHALDON BEACH HUTS, Devon

WHY HERE? These beautifully presented huts offer five-star luxury within a traditional seaside setting. The innovative design provides a mini fitted kitchen – with granite worktops – a bathroom, mezzanine bedroom and even under-floor heating for those colder nights. Shaldon Beach is a safe, sandy haven for lovers of the traditional seaside experience: try rockpooling at low tide, crabbing with the family or have a long lazy lunch on the terrace of one of the many beach cafés and restaurants. You can stroll from your hut to nearby Ness Cove Beach, which is reached through an old smuggler’s tunnel.
WHAT CAN I SEE AND DO? Shaldon is a fabulous place for foodies. Home to Tim and Clare Bouget’s Ode Restaurant and Café, it also has an artisan bakery and a homemade ice cream parlour. As well as water-based activities, the village boasts its very own little zoo run by the Shaldon Wildlife Trust, an 18-hole pitch and putting course with panoramic views, and wonderful coastal walks. There is also a passenger ferry which operates daily from the beach, taking just minutes to cross the estuary to the traditional seaside town of Teignmouth.
CAN I SLEEP OVER? Yes, both two and four berth huts are available.
WHAT DOES IT COST? From £130 per night.
HOW DO I BOOK? Visit cottagessw.co.uk or call 01624 872314.

ST MORITZ HOTEL, Cornwall

WHY HERE? These fun beach huts were added to the St Moritz hotel just last year. ‘There are rooms at the back of the hotel that don’t have a balcony, and we wanted to make sure all our guests had somewhere to sit outside,’ explains guest host Britt Loe. The huts overlook the fantastic Cornish coastline on one side, and the hotel’s outdoor pool on the other.
WHAT CAN I SEE AND DO? This is a family-friendly hotel. They run a Kids’ Club in the holidays, so you can disappear off to the gorgeous on-site Cowshed Spa whilst your children are entertained. Alternatively, treat yourself to a great meal in either of the hotel’s two restaurants.
CAN I SLEEP OVER? In your room, not in the hut.
WHAT DOES IT COST? King or twin rooms start at £160 per night, and include room, hut, breakfast and access to the spa.
HOW DO I BOOK? Visit stmoritzhotel.co.uk or call 01208 862242.

BEACH SIDE, Dunster Beach, North Somerset

WHY HERE? For views of the sea and the Exmoor countryside. Facilities include a café, bike hire, a putting green and tennis court. Beach Side (chalet 109) is next to the sea with views across to the Welsh coastline and the Quantocks.
WHAT CAN I SEE AND DO? Nearby there’s Cleeve Abbey, Dunster Castle, Porlock Weir and Exmoor National Park. Steam Railway enthusiasts can head to Dunster Station for access to the West Somerset Railway.
CAN I SLEEP OVER? The chalet sleeps four and has a fully-equipped kitchen, toilet and shower. It has a separate bedroom with two single beds and a sofa bed in the lounge.
WHAT DOES IT COST? From £340-£440 per week depending on the season.
HOW DO I BOOK? Visit exmoorgetaway.co.uk or call Jane and Mike Cobb on 07966 557540.

BEACH RETREAT, Whitstable, Kent

WHY HERE? The chalet-style beach hut is located on Seasalter Beach, with its own private beach garden and direct access to the sea. There are sleeping, sitting and dining areas, a galley-style kitchen, and a separate shower room. Outside there’s raised decking as well as a campfire and barbecue area within the garden.
WHAT CAN I SEE AND DO? A pleasant walk along the beach brings you to Whitstable with its boutiques, restaurants and busy fishing harbour. In the other direction, Swale Nature Reserve and the Saxon Shore Way footpath are easily accessible. These are superb locations for bird-watchers, as is the nearby Oare Marshes Reserve.
CAN I SLEEP OVER? Beach Retreat sleeps two, with space for a cot.
WHAT DOES IT COST? Prices start from £800 per week. Short breaks are also available, from £170 per night.
HOW DO I BOOK? Call 01227 262173 or visit beach-retreat.co.uk