Sponsored: Last month saw the UK’s hottest June day for 40 years, hitting highs of 34.5C.
What’s more, scorching temperatures are set to continue throughout July and August – clearly, Blighty’s in store for a summer to remember.
So now’s the perfect time to book a sun-drenched escape to one of the UK’s many beautiful coastal counties with Hoseasons. Here are five such destinations, perfect for anglophiles, or, if you live in Britain, a summer staycation…
1 Cornwall
Commonly voted Britons’ staycation destination of choice, Cornwall has the longest coastline in the UK: 400 miles to be exact. Furthermore, 158 miles of it belongs Heritage Coast, and as such recognized for its outstanding natural beauty. (Such as Godrevy in St Ives Bay, pictured above).
Elsewhere, the county is home to a large handful of charming, tiny seaside towns. The most famous are Falmouth, Newquay and Truro; Falmouth’s the biggest of the three, and still it’s only home to under 28,000!
Where’s good to stay in Cornwall?
A new addition to Hoseasons’ Go Active+ Breaks collection, Sandymouth Beach is a mere stone’s throw from the sea, while the gorgeous Bude is 15 minutes away by car.
That said, the recently-renovated complex offers everything your heart desires, from an indoor heated pool and restaurant and bar, to a coffee shop, a shop, a pirate ship-themed children’s play area, all-weather multi sports court and outdoor gym equipment.
Click here to find out more and book your break
Found in Tregea Hill, a few minutes’ walk from the charming seaside town of Portreath, is the sumptuous Gwel an Mor, part of Hoseasons’ Evermore Lodge Holiday Collection.
All the accommodations have decking and a hot tub. There’s also the sea-view Terrace Restaurant to enjoy, as well as activities like falconry, croquet and wildlife walks.
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2 Devon
To Cornwall’s right is Devon and, likes its neighbor, it boasts northern and southern coastlines. The latter also encompasses part of the aforementioned Jurassic Coast. Devon is home to at least 103 listed beaches.
Humbling natural beauty abounds further in Exmoor and Dartmoor National Parks, in the north and south of the county respectively.
Where’s good to stay in Devon?
Another member of Hoseasons Go Active+ Breaks Collection, Finlake Holiday Resort is nestled on the edge of Dartmoor.
Only 6.8 miles from Teignmouth Beach, it also benefits from a wide range or on-site facilities, from heated indoor and outdoor pools, to its own bar and restaurant. Activities on offer include archery, fencing, high ropes and horse riding. Why not give it a go?
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Another collection of gorgeous boltholes, some complete with hot tubs; this one’s just 3.7 miles from Instow Beach, hidden among 25 acres of woodland.
Five well-stocked fishing lakes offer free coarse and carp fishing; meanwhile, the towns of Bideford, Barnstaple, Torrington are all within five miles.
Click here to find out more and book your break
3 Dorset
Next we head to South West England, and the county of Dorset. It’s home to the jagged beaches of the Jurassic Coast, a world-renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Pictured above is Kimmeridge Bay, known for being a geological wonderland. It’s perfect for snorkelling, rock pooling and fossil-finding!
Where’s good to stay in Dorset?
Brand new in December 2016, this retreat is located in Holton Heath, in the heart of Wareham Forest. Furthermore, Canford Cliffs Chine Beach is only 7.2 miles away.
Many of these luxury, self-catering lodges are pet-friendly, and boast private hot tubs.
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You’ll find more stylishly modern accommodation at Burnbake Forest Lodges, part of Hoseasons Autograph Lodge Holidays Collection. Branksome Chine Beach in Poole is 5.6 miles away.
Here, you can once again take a dip in a private hot tub, cook up a storm on the barbecue, or head to the nearby Brenscombe Outdoor Centre, offering climbing, abseiling, rafting and canoeing.
Click here to find out more and book your break
4 Pembrokeshire
First up is this Welsh county – home to the seaside town of Tenby, pictured above – famous for the rugged Pembrokeshire Coast Path.
Wales’s first National Trail traces 186 miles of the country’s dramatic coastline, covering many beaches, bays and craggy cliff faces.
Where’s good to stay in Pembrokeshire?
Perched atop such dramatic coastal scenery, and taking in sweeping views, is this relaxing retreat. As well as the chic accommodation, it has an on-site bakery and shop, plus the Pamper Pod centre for spa treatments.
Aber Mawr Bay in Fishguard is just 2.4 miles away, and the aforementioned Pembrokeshire Coast Path is also accessible from here.
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Further inland and secluded in a magical woodland is this nest of luxury lodges, complete with golf course and shop.
A pretty seven-mile stretch of Carmarthen Bay, known as Pendine Sands, is only 11.7 miles away. The charming market town of Narberth, meanwhile, is under a mile.
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5 Sussex
Finally, to the Southeast of England, and the county of Sussex. It’s of course home to the country’s most LGBTI-friendly city, Brighton. It and its next door Hove are known for their charming pebbled beaches.
However, there are dozens of charming seaside towns in Sussex; Bognor Regis, Hastings and Rye [pictured above] to name but a few.
Where’s good to stay in Sussex?
The contemporary pine lodges at this gorgeous resort are found on a sprawling 17th Century country estate: Crowhurst Park, 17 minutes from Hastings in East Sussex.
The complex also features a truly stunning heated indoor swimming pool. Be sure to check out the beauty therapy suite, plus the spa bath, sauna and steam room.
Click here to find out more and book your break
Lastly, to West Sussex and this small smattering of luxury lodges. The seaside town of Littlehampton, known for its European Blue Flag beach, is a six-minute drive, or a 45-minute walk away.
Meanwhile, the Tangmere Military Aviation Museum, the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum and Arundel Wetland Centre are all within driving distance. But best of all? This one’s only 90 minutes outside of London.
Click here to find out more and book your break
To see a full list of regions available through Hoseasons, click here.
Hoseasons is a client of Gay Star News.
All destination pictures from Pixabay. All accommodation pictures courtesy of Hoseasons.
