Beach huts are as much a part of the British seaside as sandcastles and ice cream. Having evolved from Victorian bathing machines, they are far from being a quaint anachronism – and today are more in demand than ever.
‘Beach huts are particularly popular with work-from-home buyers and retirees, who will often buy a beach hut when they relocate,’ says Gareth Bowden, sales manager at Winkworth. ‘They provide protection from the elements so families can go there to relax and overlook the sea. It’s like having a holiday without having to go away.’
But spiralling demand brings with it higher prices – and every year there are reports of buyers paying exorbitant sums for prime site beach huts.
Huts on Norfolk’s Holkham Beach, for example, where the late Queen Mother had one of her own, sell for around £100,000; on Suffolk’s Southwold Beach, you will need to fork out £120,000 to own one, while huts on the beach hut Mecca of Mudeford Spit, a popular sandy spot on the south coast in Christchurch, Dorset, have been known to sell for £500,000.
Yet these are far from glorified sheds. Indeed, the ‘hutters’ on Mudeford Spit, a long bank of sand separating the sea from the inner waters of Christchurch harbour, enjoy a Robinson Crusoe experience when the tide is full; the sandbank is completely surrounded by wonder, giving a wonderfully secluded feel.
Hutters here are even permitted by the local council to sleep in the huts for eight months of the year, when the weather is more favourable, and there’s a wonderful community feel when day trippers have left and it’s time for sundowners.
Far from being merely storage units for beach paraphernalia, many of these more expensive beach huts have designer interiors, too.
Beech work tops are very popular, and floors are usually laminated or oiled. Kitchens will have stoves, burners and grills and all-in-one cookers and sinks.
‘Beach huts are particularly popular with work-from-home buyers and retirees, who will often buy a beach hut when they relocate, says Gareth Bowden, sales manager at Winkworth
The kitchen and living space of Hut 260 on Mudeford Spit which has views towards the Isle of Wight as well as a raised terrace
The bedroom of the hut, which is available to purchase through Winkworth from £299,950
There will be bunk beds for the kids, and a daybed with comfortable throws offering respite from the sun.
Photovoltaic panels, which convert sunlight into electricity, indicate environmentally aware owners. The style conscious keep interiors light and bright. Fish and shell motifs are a simple but effective way of decorating walls.
For any wishing to join this glitzy set, Hut 260 on Mudeford Spit is currently on the market, and has views towards the Isle of Wight as well as a raised terrace – perfect for entertaining. Just 100m from the sea, it’s available with Winkworth from £299,950.
Yet you do not have to spend a fortune to acquire a beach hut. For those wanting to put down roots on the seashore, here are some of the best bargains from around the country.
Barry, South Wales
Beach huts in Barry come with a sliding scale of prices, from £8 to £14.50 for a day in the off season, depending on the size of the hut, and £24 to £42 in summer
The crescent of golden sand at Barry beach
Beach hut rentals in some of the more expensive seaside towns can amount to £3,000 a year – but that’s way beyond what you’ll pay in Barry, home of television’s Gavin and Stacey.
Admittedly, the approach to the beach here is less than promising – a mix and match of retail parks and modern housing developments – but just a five-minute walk delivers a gorgeous crescent of golden sand that is Barry beach itself.
Two blocks of 12 huts sit either side of a climbing wall on the eastern promenade, and they come in a sliding scale of prices: £8 to £14.50 for a day in the off season, depending on the size of the hut, and £24 to £42 in summer.
Uniquely, the beach huts are licensed for weddings so you can get married, either inside a beach hut or in one of the outdoor areas. ‘Tidy!’ as Nessa would say.
For bookings call: 01446 700111.
Whitstable, Kent
Only 60 miles from London, Whitstable, on the North Kent coast, is extremely popular with buyers from the capital
The Old Neptune pub on Whitstable beach
Only 60 miles from London, Whitstable, on the North Kent coast, is extremely popular with buyers from the capital who want more than a bucket and spade resort.
This is chocolate-box seaside but with a dash of indie charm, with its pastel-painted shop fronts, long shingle beach and restaurants selling locally farmed oysters. Indeed, this is the ideal spot for those who want to de-stressaway from city life.
A second-row beach hut at Tankerton West, an award-winning beach overlooking the Thames Estuary, is for sale. It has a large deck area, panoramic sea views and storage underneath its flooring. It is for sale with Miles and Barr from £55,000.
Call: 01227 204287.
Frinton-on-Sea, Essex
With its antique shops and tea rooms, there is a 1950s-style gentility about Frinton that many visitors find charming
The kitchen and dining area at the front row beach hut on sale at The Leas, which can be purchased through Paveys Estate Agents from £48,000
With its antique shops and tea rooms, there is a 1950s-style gentility about Frinton that many visitors find charming.
Indeed, there was uproar when the first pub opened here, and many locals were up in arms at the mere suggestion of a chip shop. That the doleful poet Philip Larkin had his most famous character – the quiet and occasionally dreary Mr Bleaney – take his holidays here only exemplifies the genteel feel to this little town.
But that’s not to say the town is devoid of things to do; there are plenty of excellent golf courses as well as lawn tennis and cricket clubs, and the theatre is well regarded.
A well-maintained, front row beach hut is for sale at The Leas, a quiet stretch of golden sand with sweeping views over Frinton. The location offers excellent views of the beach, where wooden groynes offer shelter from the wind, and there are internal glazed doors to a kitchenette inside.
On sale with Paveys Estate Agents from £48,000.
Call: 01255 442118.
Saltburn, North Yorkshire
Saltburn, with its pier, Victorian cliff tramway and gardens, is the ultimate hidden gem
Southerners often forget that, as well as being a centre of industry, the North East is also blessed with a lovely coastline.
Saltburn, with its pier, Victorian cliff tramway and gardens, is the ultimate hidden gem. For those wanting to spend longer on these sandy shores, the beach hut named Edward, perfectly positioned on the lower promenade, is painted a vibrant orange and has direct access to the beach.
Handily positioned for surfers, who are attracted to the dramatic breakers, it is available to hire through marshallsbeachhuts.co.uk for £30 a day.
Call: 07714793855.
Christchurch, Dorset
Christchurch is just seven miles along the coast from Bournemouth and features an enormous beach
The tastefully decorated Hut 140, which is priced at £45,000 and overlooks Friar’s Cliff
With its two rivers, a historic quay and castles, there is much to see in Christchurch – and Bournemouth is only seven miles along the coast should you want serious shopping.
The main attraction here, though, is the enormous beach. Perched here is Hut 140: overlooking Friar’s Cliff, and a mere two-minute walk from the beach hut café, famous for its ice creams. Highcliff Castle is only a short stroll away. Hut 140 can be viewed at beachhuts.com.
Price: £45,000.
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