Hotels by the sea

British weather aside, the summer is in full swing, and it’s the perfect time to head to the seaside.  With bucket and spade in hand, whether you’re looking for a family holiday or a romantic mini break, British beach hotels have a reputation for historic charm and the most spectacular scenery across England, Scotland and Wales.

The variety of hotels is something we often talk about – you hear seaside and it’s so often simply connected with family holidays.  Of course, there are few places as charming or as wholesome as our beaches to take children to enjoy the summer (or indeed a bracing walk in the winter), but there’s also a wealth of opportunity for a luxurious or romantic break.

Chewton Glen, the famed spa hotel in New Milton for example, has a glowing reputation as part of the Relais & Châteaux collection for wonderful food, pristine surroundings and a sophisticated experience.  With a view to counter all others, on the other hand, Soar Mill Cove Hotel, just outside the seaside town of Salcombe, has been wowing visitors for decades, nestled as it is into a dip in a valley that meanders down to a quiet beach – perfect for a quiet swim if you dare.

In Scotland, the rugged beauty of the landscape is really something that belongs in storybooks.  A favourite location amongst hikers and those seeking adventure, the likes of Romney Bay House, surrounded by shingle beaches and marshland is a delight for the senses.  Alternatively, the Channel Islands has a wealth of spectacular escapism to offer, including La Sablonnerie, which we have visited time and again, in love as we are with the 16th-century farmhouse  that has been operating as a hotel since 1948.

This is a selection of all of our hotels by the sea.