Shore things on the British coast

SEASIDE HOTSPOTS

The British coast offers white-coral beaches, snug pubs and these four swanky seaside stars. By Lotte Jeffs

ROSHVEN HOUSE Nearfort William, Scotland
Chic seaside staycations are now de rigueur, but finding a spot with as much wow factor as a long haul destination can still be a struggle. Step forward Roshven House on Scotland's west coast. The Victorian mansion, set within a secluded bay, sleeps up to 20 meaning you can finally have the holiday with your partner's cousin's cousins you've always dreamt of. Think contemporary art, open fires, a library, games room and four-poster beds. Less superlative but equally stunning is the Boat House which sleeps up to six, has a large living room and kitchen with an Aga. Both are a stone's throw from a quiet sandy beach and set within 40 acres of verdant grounds. Canoes and kayaks are at your disposal and if you're feeling particularly Famous Five-ish jump in an inflatable boat and head off for a picnic on one of the local white-coral beaches. Fishing, climbing, hiking and golfing are all available nearby but languishing in your grand seaside manor, admiring its sweeping views of distant islands, is also very much an option.
Prices from £12,000, based on 20 sharing, seven night minimum stay. (0800 171 2165; thewowhousecompany.com)

THE FISH STORE Mousehole, Cornwall

Nestled in the heart of what Dylan Thomas called 'the prettiest village in England', The Fish Store is a stylish five-bedroom house, originally built for packing pilchards, now magnificently converted into a bright, contemporary Cornish holiday home. The focal point of the loft-like house is a stunning open-plan cooking, living and dining space which looks out over the rooftops of Mousehole (pronounced 'Mowzel') to the tranquil harbour. When you're not dining at one of the many great nearby restaurants, like The Old Coastguard, or even cooking your own locally-caught fish in the all mod-cons kitchen (well stocked with cookery books written by the house's owner, Lindsey Bareham), there's table tennis and a makeshift home cinema on the ground floor. But bar tempestuous conditions we doubt you'll need anything more than the charms of this quaint fishing village's small beaches - one is pebble, the other a small patch of sand - and the surrounding rugged coastline to keep you thoroughly entertained.
Prices from £1,755 for one week based on ten sharing. (01637 881942; uniquehomestays.com)
Best for booze and beaches

THE SHIP HOTEL Brancaster, North Norfolk

When you need only stumble downstairs for a cold pint of ale and perfect pub lunch, the benefits of staying at The Ship Hotel become patently clear. But ease of eating and boozing aren't the only reasons this gastropub-slash-charming guest house is the ideal spot for a seaside sojourn on the Norfolk coast. Nine en-suite bedrooms are beautifully decorated with muted colours and statement prints - suites one and two are the nicest. The reception and bar area boast a cosy mix of country pub classics and contemporary quirkiness in furnishings, while the restaurant serves food to match with tempura or pigeon pie featured alongside no-frills fish and chips, which can be made to take away if you'd prefer to dine on the beach. Brancaster is a traditional coastal fishing village ideally placed for exploring the area's salt marshes and sand dunes.
Rooms from £90 per night. (01485 210333;shiphotelnorfolk.co.uk)

Great House Laugharne, Carmarthenshire, Wales

On the picturesque Carmarthenshire coast, this beautifully restored Georgian property in the bustling heart of the village of Laugharne, isn't called the Great House for nothing. It can sleep up to ten in its grand four-poster beds. Reached via the 18th century sweeping staircase, bedrooms also feature roll-top baths and walk-in showers. There's a heated swimming pool in the large back garden, where two patio areas offer the perfect spot for summer barbecues. For more formal occasions, the capacious kitchen is well equipped for cooking up a feast, which can be served in the magnificent dining room - top hats and tails are optional. Laugharne isn't known for its mobile phone and TV reception so switch off your BlackBerry and head out for a bracing walk on nearby Pendine Sands.
Prices from £813 for three nights. (sheepskinlife.com/relax-at/great-house)