Feeling the call of wild water this summer? There’s something about staying by the sea that makes a holiday truly unforgettable. And when your cottage is just moments from the shore, swimming and exploring by the ocean becomes part of the rhythm of your day.
Whether you want to dip in a secret cove, a limpid quarry lake or the open sea, these eight wonderful waterside homes across the UK from Classic Cottages make the perfect bases for a holiday spent by the water. From wave-lashed Devon cliffs to tranquil Cornish estuaries and wide Norfolk skies, there’s a retreat here for every kind of swimmer.
These coastal cottages don’t just sit by the sea – they’re truly special places to stay where you can wander down to the sands for a sunrise swim, spend the day exploring hidden beaches and return home for fireside evenings or a soak in a hot tub under the stars.
The best cottages in the UK for wild swimming adventures
1. Trelowen, Whitsand Bay, Cornwall
Best for: beautiful beach views
Perched above one of Cornwall’s most dramatic stretches of coastline, this snug stay for two has sweeping views over Whitsand Bay that will have you itching to pull on your wetsuit and dive on in. This long, open sweep of sand backed by cliffs is best enjoyed at mid to high tide in calm weather. Expect a bracing dip followed by a leg-burning climb back up to your eyrie at Trelowen – this charming retreat has a gorgeous garden with a barbeque for a post-swim supper, plus an amazing open-plan living space complete with swing.
Sleeps 2, from £116 per night
2. Seaside House, Little Haven, Pembrokeshire
Best for: a sea swim safari
The Pembrokeshire coastline is a swimmer’s dream, and aptly named Seaside House sits within easy reach of some of its most iconic swim spots. Inside, this modern home is all clean lines and spaciousness, with a big open fire and sitting rooms looking over the sea for your gang to spread out and relax in after long days outdoors. Broad Haven is just a mile away and has a safe, sandy beach for swimming, or go on a swim safari up the coast to seek out wild, rugged Druidstone Beach or the Blue Lagoon at Abereiddy, a former quarry full of impossibly turquoise water. Warm up once you’re home again with a glass of wine in Seaside House’s garden hot tub.
Sleeps 10, from £203 per night
3. Number 4 Coastguard Cottages, Ilfracombe, Devon
Best for: sea swimming – and skinny dipping!
North Devon’s coastline is rugged, dramatic and much loved by surfers and swimmers alike. Feel the call of the waves from this charming coastguard’s cottage, which clings to the cliffs above the sea with panoramic views that will make you feel in touch with the elements from the moment you wake up. Combe Martin’s sheltered beach is great for a quick dip or a rock pooling session with kids, while nearby Woolacombe is a favourite for surfers. Or if you fancy a swim on the wilder – and nuder – side, hike along the coast path to Wild Pear Beach, a secluded naturist spot. Back at home, toast your swimming adventures in the hot tub with a view of the ocean, whip up a pizza in the wood-fired oven outside or just slip off to sleep in a driftwood-inspired bedroom.
Sleeps 6, from £149 per night
4. Island Cottage, Kingsand, Cornwall
Best for: beach-on-your-doorstep stays
Kingsand and Cawsand, twin seaside villages on the Rame Peninsula in South East Cornwall, are one of my favourite places to explore in South West England, and the charming coastal base of Island Cottage in Kingsand puts you literally within steps of the beach. Kingsand Beach is perfect for a quick dip, or wander a little further to Cawsand Bay, which is sheltered and ideal for early morning floats or lazy swims in glassy waters. Explore Kingsand and Cawsand’s pastel-coloured streets, rich smuggling history and great pubs on your way back to your cottage, which has a balcony you can watch all the action on the beach from as well as a smart sitting room with sea views and three cosy bedrooms.
Sleeps 6, from £128 per night
5. White Cottage, Helford, Cornwall
Best for: calm waters
For a softer, more tranquil swim when the Atlantic is looking a little wild, Cornwall’s azure Helford Estuary is hard to beat. Winding through ancient woodland and past pretty villages, the Helford feels a world away from the open coast. I love to head to Durgan Beach, where clear, sheltered waters offer a gentle alternative to the sea – perfect for slow swims or a relaxed explore on a paddleboard. White Cottage is equally calming, with bedrooms painted in coastal colours, a wood fire for cold days and French doors opening out to views of the water in sunny weather. A lush green garden looks out over famed Frenchman’s Creek and the cottage even has its own private water frontage you can launch kayaks from.
Sleeps 4, from £120 per night
6. Sunnynook, Bigbury-on-Sea, Devon
Best for: swimming in your own pool!
Big skies, rolling surf and blue waters define this stretch of Devon’s coast, and Sunnynook has it all on its doorstep – plus its own gorgeous swimming pool, so water lovers can start the day with a few gentle laps before heading down to the ocean. Bigbury-on-Sea is ideal for classic sea swimming as well as walking across to storied Burgh Island when the tide is low, and Bantham Beach is perfect for swimming and surfing in delightfully clear waters. Sunnynook itself is modern and restful, with huge picture windows that bring the outside in. A dreamy pad to toast the sea from with a gang of friends.
Sleeps 10, from £346 per night
7. Wavecrest, Heacham, Norfolk
Best for: family adventures
The Norfolk coastline is much loved by artists, and it’s not hard to see why at Wavecrest. This gorgeous wood-clad cabin looks out over Heacham South Beach and inside is full of light, with an upstairs sitting room to watch sunset from. While you can’t always swim at South Beach itself, Old Hunstanton beach is often perfect for paddling and swimming, while Holkham further along the coast is known for its clean, calm waters. Wavecrest would be the perfect home to explore this stretch coast from with families, as it comes complete with a games room and a utility room for drying wetsuits. Dogs are welcome too – perfect if your pooch loves a dip as much as you do.
Sleeps 8, from £152 per night
8. Varcoe, Portscatho, Cornwall
Best for: peaceful peninsula escapes
There’s nowhere quite like Cornwall’s Roseland Peninsula, a peaceful, unspoilt stretch of coastline dotted with postcard-worthy seaside villages, and Varcoe is a brilliant retreat to explore its hidden coves and clear-water swim spots from. This surprisingly roomy house sleeps ten, so you can bring the whole gang along for salty adventures and long dinners. Porthcurnick Beach is a local favourite for swimming, while the nearby creeks and coastal paths will lead you to more secluded secret spots. Need to escape to the sea for some quiet time? A gate in Varcoe’s garden leads straight to a cliff path and down to the sands of Portscatho.
Sleeps 10, from £212 per night
