Come rain or shine, the UK is home to some fabulous luxury properties. Whether you want a week by the sea in Devon or a weekend city break in Dublin, the British Isles offer plenty of fantastic holiday homes to take your fancy. Wake up to sea views from cosy cottages in Cornwall or enjoy stargazing from your hot tub hideaway in the Cotswolds. Travelling as a family and need lots of space? Choose from large houses with swimming pools, tennis courts and huge gardens to run around. Spending time as a couple? Opt for a thatched cottage in the countryside with no neighbours other than the birds. As home and travel experts, here at Plum Guide we’ve paired some of the country’s best loved destinations with a selection of the UK’s best coastal cottages to help you plan your great British break away.
Cornwall
For beautiful cottages by the sea look no further than Cornwall. The capital of the South West, Cornwall is home to some fabulous properties with impressive sea views and plenty of nearby beaches. St Ives and Penzance are popular with families looking to be close to the tourist sites, whilst Padstow and Polzeath are great for couples seeking a more rural hideaway. Surrounded by rugged cliffs and the vast Atlantic Ocean, Cornwall boasts over 300 beaches across its 250 mile long coastline. Perfect for surfers, swimmers and sunbathers (when the weather’s good) we think Cornwall makes for a wonderful summer staycation.
Copper Spoon, Plum Guide home in Cornwall
Dorset
If sea view cottages are an absolute must for your UK staycation, Dorset is the place to be. With a large selection of properties to choose from, Dorset offers some of the UK’s best coastal cottages. Lyme Regis, Poole and Weymouth are popular spots. Although it’s touristy, we’d also recommend visiting Lulworth Cove. Formed at the end of the last Ice Age, and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the cove is famous for its unique geology. Topping plenty of UK bucket lists, why not squeeze in a visit to Durdle Door during your stay? Park at the Lulworth Visitors Centre and hike along the Jurassic Coast to Durdle Door. Admire the striking limestone arch, one of the most photographed landmarks in the country, and enjoy a day at the beach.
Wild Orchid, Plum Guide home in Dorset
Edinburgh
Scotland’s vibrant capital is a city of two halves. Separated by Princes Street Gardens, both the Old Town and the New Town are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Wander around the Old Town’s cobbled streets and take a step back in time at Edinburgh Castle. For panoramic city views, head to Arthur’s Seat in Holyrood Park. If you’re a foodie or a coffee lover, there are plenty of gastro-pubs and artisan cafes to enjoy over in the New Town. Its coastal location is often forgotten about, but there are some wonderful cottages by the sea to enjoy in Edinburgh’s surrounding areas. Just a 15 minute bus ride from the city centre you’ll find Portobello Beach. Complete with a promenade, amusement arcade and 2km of golden sand, it’s a great addition to a weekend city break.
Pastel Thistle, Plum Guide home in Edinburgh
Dublin
Capital of the Replublic of Ireland, Dublin occupies a wonderful coastal location at the mouth of the River Liffey. With history dating back as early as the 9th century - although the magnificent Dublin Castle wasn’t built until the 1200s - the Irish capital is a fascinating place to visit. Ireland’s largest cathedral, St Patrick’s (of course), is a must-see. The home of Guinness, there are museums, restaurants and traditional Irish bars aplenty. Although it’s touristy we think the Temple Bar district is a lot of fun, with some of the best live entertainment in the city. For somewhere quieter, cross the Ha’Penny Bridge to get a feel for Dublin’s past. For those all important sea view cottages, Dublin’s coastal area means it’s close to some great beaches. Just north of the city, on the rugged Fingal Coast, you’ll find Skerries. Historically a fishing port, this small coastal town is a great place to base yourself if you want to be by the seaside and within easy reach of Dublin city centre.
Teal Fleet, Plum Guide home in Dublin
The Cotswolds
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city by heading to the Cotswolds. Like your staycation to be quiet and relaxing? You’re in luck. Despite ever-increasing tourism, the Cotswolds still manages to retain its charm. Highlights include the medieval market town of Burford, the sloping Arlington Row in pretty Bibury and historic Cirencester, home to one of the largest remaining Roman amphitheatres in the UK. One of the most land-locked areas in Britain, the Cotswolds can hardly be described as the place to go for the UK’s best coastal cottages. However, it is home to the Cotswold Water Park, where you’ll find one of the country’s only natural inland beaches to enjoy. 170 lakes across 40 square miles offer plenty of fun-filled watersports activities.
Lovell, Plum Guide home in the Cotswolds
London
No trip to the UK is complete without a visit to its iconic capital city. Fascinating museums, check. Famous galleries, check. Michelin-star restaurants, check. Famous landmarks include Big Ben, The London Eye, Tower Bridge and of course the Tower of London. Fed up of sightseeing? Retreat to your luxurious holiday home away from the tourist traps. Despite being a concrete jungle, you can find beautiful cottages in London, which isn't such a bad place to base yourself if you fancy a beach break; Brighton and Kent are just an hour away. Believe it or not, there is also a beach in London itself. Ruislip Lido Beach is a nature reserve with woodland, a natural lake and a manmade sandy beach. And it’s right on the Piccadilly Line. Who’d have thought it?
King’s Cottage, Plum Guide home in London
