Perched at the foot of cliffs where peregrines nest, this sturdy stone, slate and pine former boathouse overlooks a private sandy cove. Inside, it has a table, seats, woodburner, gas hob, sink, pans, crockery and cutlery. Outside is a hot tub and shed with solar shower and compost toilet. Water is on tap, wind-up lanterns give light, and a cool box with organic milk serves as the fridge. A Devon meal hamper (breakfast, dinner and wine) is £45. Sleeps two (in a double bed in the roof eaves). No dogs or children under 18.

From £399 for a two-night weekend from April to October (01752 830020, www.carswellcottages.com).

Ledge House Beach Hut and Boat House, Bembridge, Isle of Wight

Approached from the cliff path on the east of the island, this spacious hut is all about the sea view. Inside, the bedroom and living room with kitchen/dining area and two extra beds boast all mod cons. There's a decking area to sip sundowners on, too. Sleeps six, plus two in the Boat House.

Beach Hut from £365 per week, Boat House an extra £250 (01983 874430, www.holidaylettings.co.uk).

Fisherman Huts, Hotel Continental, Whitstable, Kent

A quick dash from London and an Art-Deco hotel dishing up Whitstable oysters just ten minutes' walk away make these eight former cockle farmers' huts a popular bolthole for stressed out city-dwellers seeking seaside solace, clinking yacht masts and sunsets over the mud flats of Whitstable Bay. Sleeping either two adults, or two adults plus two children, all but one have sea views, while the newest, Anderson Shed, converted in 2002, sleeps six (maximum four adults).

Sea-view double B&B from £300 for a two-night weekend (01227 280280, hotelcontinental.co.uk).

Seafield Cottage, St Abbs, Berwickshire

Stay in this three-bed, 19th-century cottage, sleeping seven, in St Abbs on Scotland's south-east coast, and you can while away the days in the family-owned beach hut on Coldingham Sands. A clifftop path leads to the 100-year-old pine structure that contains original benches and a glass-fronted cupboard with period crockery. Twenty-first-century buckets and spades, linen and towels are also provided.

From £300 per week (07710 503669, swww.seafield-cottage.co.uk).

No 60 Calshot, Southampton, Hampshire

‘At night, we sit and play cards by candlelight,' says owner Lynn Fidler of her hut, which opens onto Calshot's pebble beach. Apart from the candles, solar panels and Calor gas power, the hut sleeps six on two sofa beds, plus a double futon in the loft. The hut also boasts hot and cold water, a shower, fridge, gas cooker, crockery and cutlery.

From £350 per week; £40 per night, plus £50 refundable deposit (02380 893838 / 02380 897526, www.beach-huts.com).

The Beach Hut, near Bude, North Cornwall

Kate Winslet may have stayed in this 1920s clapboard hut, but the real joy here is being alone with the stars at night (by day you might have to share the beach). The open-plan room with kitchen/diner and a king-size bed has a wet room with sink, shower and loo. On stormy nights, snuggle up by a log burner and TV/ DVD (plus electric heating). Sleeps two, plus baby (cot and highchair available).

From £995 for three nights (01637 881942, www.thebeachhut.uniquehomestays.com).

Beach huts, Southwold, Suffolk

When does a beach hut become a chalet? To find out, rent one of the very popular iconic huts along the Promenade between Gun Hill and North Beach in Southwold. Equipped with all you need, those with verandas and double doors are known locally as chalets. At night, retire to a self-catering cottage.

Two-bed Puddle Cottage, East Street, from £300 per week; beach hut from £130-£180 per week (01502 723292, www.haadnamsholidaycottages.co.uk).

‘The Shack', Thorness Bay, Isle of Wight

Hidden in a secluded location between Cowes and Yarmouth, this beach shack has a cool vibe, with vintage furniture and kooky finds. It has two cosy bedrooms, sleeping four, a kitchen with a gas cooker and fridge, a shower and a sea-view living room. Spend your evenings watching sunsets or listening to a wind-up radio.

From £225 per weekend or £495 per week (07802 758113, www.vintagevacations.co.uk).

Kelly's Chalet, Dunster Beach, Somerset

Whichever way you look from this timber beach hut, there are great views: from the front, the Brendon Hills, to the rear, double doors open onto 440 acres of sandy beach. Inside, a double sofa and two single beds sleep four: duvets are provided, but bring linen, towels and £1 coins for electricity.

From £250 per week (1 March to 31 October). Breaks in November and December from £40 per night (07737 718620, www.kellyschalet.co.uk).

Beach Pods, Boscombe Overstrand, Dorset

Numbers 210-217 in the Overstrand building at Boscombe are stylish pods designed by Wayne and Gerardine Hemingway, and rented for day use by Bournemouth Council. Each has electricity, water, microwave and kettle. Stay at the nearby Urban Beach Hotel.

Double B&B from £95. Urban Beach (01202 301509, www.urbanbeachhotel.co.uk). Pods from £85 per week (01202 451781, www.boscombeoverstrand.co.uk).

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