Streets of gold by the sea

This week's pictures of David and Samantha Cameron, sun-kissed and barefoot on Harlyn Beach near Rock, set local estate agents' hearts racing.

Now savvy Londoners also have the Cornish enclave in their sights - if they don't already own a second home on the Camel estuary. It's debatable whether Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah will have the same effect on Southwold, where they have decamped with their young sons.

But homes in the tiny Suffolk resort - dubbed Islington-sur-Mer - are already highly sought-after, with long waiting lists in key parts of town. From Salcombe in Devon to Norfolk's Burnham Market the best small towns on the coast now enjoy the same relationship to London as the Hamptons does to New York. They are not just delightful summer escapes from the city, they are networking destinations where the smart set go to socialise. The Camerons' choice of Rock is known as Chelsea-on-sea because it has more millionaires than anywhere else in Cornwall.

A word of advice - to buy in the coast's most desirable towns, you'll need a good relationship with a local estate agent. Much prime property goes in private deals, by word of mouth, or stays in families for generations.

Burnham Market, Norfolk

This Georgian village is one mile inland and boasts a butcher and baker set around a green. A flurry of fancier shops including a delicatessen and fabulous hat shop doesn't detract from the traditional facade.

Value: Up to £2 million.

Street of gold: The Green.

Why des res: One in 10 properties is a second home. The week of nearby Hunstanton's tennis tournament in August is the busiest of the year.

Estate agent says: Ben Johnson from Sowerbys says: "Because there are so many holiday homes prices here are more stable."

Who goes there/lives there: Stephen Fry, Naomi Watts, Jamie Oliver, Amanda Holden.

For sale in Burnham Market: Cobham House, North Street — £2 million. A grade II-listed Regency house (01328 730 500, www.bedfords.co.uk).

Alternative view: For those on a tighter budget a two-bedroom cottage is £200,000 (01328 730500, www.sowerbys.com).

Southwold, Suffolk

This time-warped spot has hosted the celebrated music and literary Latitude festival for years, and more recently the Prime Minister for his summer holiday. Crammed with Georgian houses, antique shops and candy-coloured Fifties beach huts.

Street of gold: Centre Cliff.

Value: £1-2 million for larger houses.

Why des res: Southwold is a long thin strip and anything like Centre Cliff, close to the southern seafront, is most desirable. Houses here have off-street parking, which is key as the area is packed in the summer.

Estate agent says: "We sold a four-bed Georgian terraced house for £1.6 million last year," says Peter Ogilvie from Savills. "There is a mix of Regency, classic Victorian and little cottages all jumbled together which adds to the appeal."

Who goes/lives there: Michael Palin, PD James, Chris Evans, Rowan Atkinson, Griff Rhys-Jones.

For sale in Southwold: Acton Lodge, South Green, a substantial Victorian house with sea views — £1 million (01473 234 800, www.savills.co.uk).

Alternative view: For a mere £40,000 a new pre-made beach hut on the north beach could be yours for day-use only (01202 315437, www.beach-huts.com).

Trebetherick & Rock, Cornwall

Formerly the home of poet laureate John Betjeman, who fell in love with Trebetherick as a young man and celebrated the area in many of his poems, the village still acts as a magnet for those seeking a good blast of fresh sea air and inspiration. Scenic coastal walks and yomps up Bray Hill make the delicious Cornish teas taste even more delicious. Rock, where the Camerons are holidaying, has the highest property prices per square metre outside London and is just around the corner.

Street of gold: The Grenaway, Trebetherick.

Value: £1.5-£2.5 million.

Why des res: A stretch of 40-odd
nondescript 1960s houses, but the view is key as they are in a prime front-row position on the stretch of coast separating Polzeath from Daymer. With their own private road down the back, and next to the new St Moritz hotel and spa, they rarely come up for sale and are just passed down from generation to generation.

Estate agent says: "Although they're just plain bungalow beach-houses, the homes on the Grenaway share a headland and have an excellent location," says Jonathan Cunliffe from Savills. "We sold one four-bed there for well over the asking price of £2 million last year."

Who goes/lives there: Hugh Grant, the Rothschilds, the Sainsburys, Harry Enfield, Jay Kay

For sale in Rock: Gull Rock —
£3.5 million. A modern five-bedroom house with enormous hallway, wine store, garage, sitting room with terrace, home cinema, library and garage (01208 862 601, www.johnbray.co.uk ).

Alternative view: You can snap up a luxurious one-bed apartment a short walk from Rock's shops for £185,000 (01208 862299, www.crw.co.uk).

Salcombe, Devon

A picture-postcard seaside town, retaining its charm in spite of the influx of celebrities and City folk. The town's cobbled streets, excellent restaurants such as the Winking Prawn and a sea tractor which collects passengers from the small ferry taking people to and from the beach, have made it a top destination for second home-owners. Pretty houses, beautiful beaches such as Sunny Cove and South Sands, along with great walks and watersports facilities mean it's rather a shame the locals, who can appreciate these all year round, are getting squeezed out. The area, with its wide waterfront and calm harbour, has long been a favourite of the sailing set.

Street of gold: Cliff Road.

Value: £1-£3 million.

Why des res: The houses are uncluttered here and enjoy both views of Salcombe harbour and the Kingsbridge estuary.

Estate agent says: "We have a five-bed £2.5 million penthouse in an Edwardian building, with fabulous views, on the market right now," says Richard Addington from Savills. "People are prepared to pay for the stunning water views and it's deep water, not tidal, so is there all the time."

Who goes/lives there: Michael Parkinson, Clive Woodward, Kate Bush, Damon Albarn, Jonathan and David Dimbleby, Rik Mayall, Jenni Bond, Steve Ryder.

For sale in Salcombe: The Penthouse, Cliff Road — £2.5million (01392 455 745, www.savills.co.uk).

Alternative view: A studio apartment could be yours for £265,000 (01548 844473, www.marchandpetit.co.uk).

The Witterings, West Sussex

Now a hotspot for kitesurfers, whose colourful sails add a modern touch to the Strand — a wonderful long stretch of beach with big winds, big waves and big beachside houses. A bird sanctuary, delightful local pubs and churches are among the other draws of this village, which is often compared to the Hamptons.

Street of gold: East and West Strand.

Value: £1.5 million-plus.

Why des res: All properties along this road look straight out over the south coast. Most tend to be large houses with four bedrooms or more and have accompanying swimming pools for the type of exacting owner that prefers chlorine to salt. Recently a house came on the market for
£2.75 million but sold within weeks.

Estate agent says: "There is a waiting list for the road," says Lucy Ashmore from Turner Hill, "but then that's because most of the properties are second, third or even fourth homes for Londoners. In the winter there's barely a soul here."

Who goes/lives there: Keith Richards, Antony Gormley, Dame Maggie Smith, Nicholas Lyndhurst.

For sale in The Witterings: Windrode, East Strand — £2,750,000 (01243 533 377, www.henryadams.co.uk).

Alternative view: A one-bedroom flat with parking space a mile from the beach costs £149,950 (01243 787 711, www.gpees.co.uk).