10 Best Beach Cottage Holidays in the UK for Families

You’ll find Britain’s best family beach cottages from Cornwall’s St Ives properties starting at £432 weekly to Yorkshire’s spacious Scarborough townhouses accommodating up to 15 guests. Choose Devon’s Tuckenhay Mill resort with three pools, Dorset’s Jurassic Coast for fossil hunting adventures, or Wales’ Llyn Peninsula hot tub cottages overlooking Morfa Nefyn Beach. Pembrokeshire offers direct beach access, while Suffolk’s Southwold and North East England’s Hartlepool provide Victorian charm with modern amenities perfect for creating unforgettable seaside memories your children will treasure.

Cornwall’s St Ives and Porthcurno Beach Cottages With Garden Access

When you’re planning a family getaway to Cornwall’s stunning coastline, St Ives offers some of the most charming beach cottages with private garden spaces perfect for kids to play safely. Rosewall Cottage provides an enclosed garden with sea views and baby-friendly amenities, while Garden Cottage boasts a sunny raised garden in St Ives’ heart, just steps from beaches. The property features natural rose-colored slate flooring in the kitchen area and hand-made woodwork throughout.

You’ll find excellent value at Carbis Bay properties, starting from £432 for seven nights and sleeping four. These cottages feature outdoor seating areas with sea views and ground-floor access for families with young children. Many include modern conveniences like dishwashers, WiFi, and Sky TV to keep everyone happy after beach days exploring Porthmeor Beach and the South West Coast Path.

Devon’s Tuckenhay Mill Family Resort With Indoor Pools and Beach Proximity

Nestled in 23 acres of South Devon countryside between Dartmouth and Totnes, Tuckenhay Mill Family Resort transforms your family holiday into an adventure playground where kids can splash in age-specific pools, explore riverside footpaths, and spot farm animals.

You’ll find three swimming pools including dedicated kids’ and relaxation areas, plus an indoor spa with sauna.

The converted mill cottages sleep 2-11 guests with fully equipped kitchens and spacious bedrooms.

Your family can enjoy tennis, badminton, snooker, and games rooms when weather turns. The resort features a natural waterfall within its grounds, adding to the scenic outdoor recreation opportunities.

While you’ll need short drives to reach Devon’s stunning beaches, the resort’s booking system ensures you’ll secure family-friendly time slots for pools and courts without overcrowding concerns.

Dorset’s Jurassic Coast Fossil-Hunting Beach Houses in Lyme Regis

Beyond Devon’s family resorts, Dorset’s Jurassic Coast offers your children a real-life treasure hunt where they’ll uncover 185-million-year-old fossils on beaches that regularly reveal new specimens.

Staying in Lyme Regis cottages puts you minutes from Monmouth Beach’s incredible Ammonite Pavement, where massive fossils lie preserved in the rocks at low tide.

Your kids will love searching Charmouth Beach’s shingle for ammonites, belemnites, and crinoid fragments—it’s Britain’s premier fossil-hunting destination.

The Lyme Regis Museum and Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre offer expert-led walks perfect for beginners, teaching proper identification techniques. This remarkable coastline became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001, recognizing its exceptional geological importance.

Winter storms create the best collecting conditions, exposing fresh fossils from the rapidly eroding cliffs.

Remember to stick to beach areas rather than dangerous cliff zones for safe family adventures.

Wales’ Llyn Peninsula Hot Tub Cottages Above Morfa Nefyn Beach

While your children hunt for shells along Morfa Nefyn’s two-mile sandy sweep, you’ll soak in your cottage’s hot tub overlooking one of Wales’ most stunning coastal panoramas.

Located on the northern Llŷn Peninsula in Gwynedd, this sheltered bay offers perfect family beach conditions with fine sand and calm waters.

Park at the National Trust car park near Tŷ Coch Inn, then enjoy circular walks combining beach time with clifftop adventures. The beach transforms to pebbles at low tide, creating fascinating rock pools for children to explore during your coastal walks.

Your kids will love exploring the natural harbour while you appreciate the unspoilt coastline under National Trust protection.

The nearby fishing hamlet of Porthdinllaen adds authentic Welsh charm to your stay.

With 72% of locals speaking Welsh, you’re experiencing genuine Welsh culture.

Pwllheli’s shops are seven miles away, while neighbouring Nefyn provides convenient amenities for your family holiday.

Pembrokeshire Coastal Path Beach Houses With Direct Sand Access

From Wales’ dramatic clifftops, Pembrokeshire’s coastal path houses offer something even more special—you’ll step straight from your front door onto golden sand. These beachfront cottages put you directly on the 186-mile Pembrokeshire Coast Path, perfect for family adventures.

Wiseman’s Bridge Cottage delivers sea views with immediate beach access, while Greenshutters Freshwater East sits just one beach from award-winning Barafundle Bay.

You’ll find kid-friendly options like Saundersfoot Gone to the Beach, where sandy beaches meet gentle waves.

Nolton Haven Cottages welcome dogs and families in St Brides Bay’s heart, offering surfing courses, paddle boarding, and coasteering right outside. The cottages feature 4 Visit Wales ratings, ensuring quality standards for family accommodations.

Many properties include hot tubs, sleep eight-plus guests, and provide bus connections for exploring different coastal sections without driving hassles.

Norfolk’s Cromer Traditional Fishermen’s Cottages Near Sandy Shores

When you’re craving authentic coastal charm with instant beach access, Norfolk’s Cromer delivers traditional fishermen’s cottages just steps from golden sand.

You’ll find newly-renovated properties tucked behind local crab stalls, literally one minute from Cromer’s Blue Flag beach and historic pier.

These cottages blend character with modern convenience – think woodburning stoves, brand-new kitchens with dishwashers, and sheltered courtyard gardens perfect for family meals.

Your kids will love the nearby amusement arcade and seal-watching boat trips, while you’ll appreciate fresh Cromer crabs delivered to your doorstep each morning.

The wide sandy beach attracts surfers and families alike, with seasonal lifeguards ensuring safety.

You can easily explore Norfolk’s stunning coastline via the CoastHopper bus or take gentle train rides to Norwich for cultural excursions. The area forms part of the Norfolk Coast, designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, ensuring protected landscapes and pristine coastal scenery.

Suffolk’s Southwold Marina-Side Family Apartments With Pier Access

Moving south along the coast, Suffolk’s Southwold offers a perfect blend of traditional seaside charm and family convenience with marina-side apartments that put you right in the heart of the action.

You’ll find spacious two-bedroom duplexes just five minutes’ walk from Southwold Pier and Blue Flag beach, with sea views stretching toward the iconic lighthouse.

These family-focused apartments feature king-size master bedrooms plus bunk rooms that kids love, alongside open-plan living areas perfect for family time.

The pier’s amusement machines and sandy beaches provide endless entertainment, while colorful beach huts add traditional seaside magic.

You can explore everything on foot – from ice-cream shops to seafood restaurants – making car-free days effortless. Many properties include convenient mezzanine floors offering additional space and panoramic viewing areas for families to spread out and relax.

Street parking’s available nearby, and many properties include linens and modern amenities like Wi-Fi and contemporary kitchens.

Yorkshire’s Scarborough Victorian Townhouses for Extended Family Groups

While Suffolk charms with its marina views, Yorkshire’s Scarborough delivers something entirely different – grand Victorian townhouses that can comfortably house your entire extended family under one historic roof.

You’ll find these 1887-built beauties accommodate 9-15 guests across multiple storeys, perfect when grandparents, parents, and kids want separate spaces but shared memories.

Your children will love the one-minute walk to South Bay’s golden sands for rockpooling and paddleboarding, while you’ll appreciate fully equipped kitchens with Nespresso machines and ice-cream makers. These properties feature beautiful Arts & Crafts details that blend seamlessly with modern family amenities.

The kids can burn energy exploring medieval castles and Peasholm Park, then gather in spacious dining rooms for family meals.

With properties scoring 9+ ratings and prices from $95-$393 nightly, you’re getting exceptional value for Victorian grandeur steps from the beach.

North East England’s Hartlepool Sea Wall Properties With Ocean Views

How’s this for a front-row seat to the North Sea? Hartlepool’s sea wall properties put you literally on the ocean’s doorstep, where kids can watch waves crash from your Victorian townhouse windows. You’ll find spacious accommodations like the 4-bedroom Harbour View or the stylish 2-bedroom Carrick, all positioned for uninterrupted ocean views in the Parton Rocks area.

Your family’s just a 4-minute walk from Crimdon Beach‘s sandy shores, perfect for castle-building sessions. These properties blend Victorian charm with modern amenities – think coal effect gas fires for cozy evenings and open-plan layouts for family gatherings. Many welcome dogs too, so your four-legged family members won’t miss out on the coastal adventure.

The Headland district offers over 1,200 rental options for every family size. Properties like the Ocean Front Lodge provide beachfront property positioning with direct access to Crimdon Beach, accommodating up to 7 guests in comfortable 2-bedroom layouts.

Newquay and Bude Multi-Generation Beach Cottages With Pet-Friendly Policies

When three generations want to holiday together in Cornwall’s surf capital, Newquay and Bude’s multi-generation beach cottages solve the space puzzle while keeping everyone happy. You’ll find properties like Northcott Beach House, which sleeps 14 guests across multiple bedrooms including super king-size doubles and twin rooms perfect for kids.

The cliff-top location offers ocean views and direct beach access at Northcott Mouth.

The Barns at Court Farm provide barn-style accommodations near Bude’s surfing beaches, while Beach Haven focuses specifically on traditional family gatherings with self-catering facilities. Many properties feature nautical-themed decor with white wood-clad walls and navy-blue Agas that create an authentic coastal atmosphere.

For families with furry members, Pebbles Cottage welcomes dogs and still sleeps 10 plus cots.

Foreshore Holiday Home rounds out options with spacious layouts designed for extended family comfort and beach proximity.

The Sum Up

You’ll create unforgettable memories at any of these fantastic beach cottages. Whether you’re building sandcastles in Cornwall, fossil hunting on Dorset’s coast, or splashing in Devon’s pools, your kids will have endless adventures. Don’t forget to pack buckets and spades, sun cream, and waterproof jackets for those unexpected showers. Book early to secure your favorite spot, and you’ll soon be making magical seaside memories that’ll last a lifetime.