Get back in fashion with classic beach huts

They're the candy-striped icons of the English seaside that 40 years ago were blasted almost to eternity by salt, sand and the advent of the annual migration of holidaymakers to the Med. But now they're back in force.

The majority are for rent by the day or week but at www.beach-huts.com and www.beachhutworld.com you can even buy one from £10,500.

Whitstable, Kent
At the 19th-century birthplace of sea bathing, the array of huts lends the beach a traditional air. The refurbished Fishermen's Huts were originally used for storing local cockle farmers' clutter.

For a bit more space try the Loft, a weatherboarded fisherman's sail store like those built in the Victorian times.

Information: Fisherman's Huts (www.hotelcontinental.co.uk), £300 for two nights. The Loft (www.fishermansloft.com), £370-490 for two people.

Southwold and Lowestoft, Suffolk
The Sunrise Coast epitomises the character of the Fifties British holiday and the colourful beach huts are real eye candy. Stay at the Swan Hotel or Britten House, a Victorian townhouse in Lowestoft that used to be Benjamin Britten's family home.

Information: Beach huts from Adnams (www.adnams.co.uk), £95-£115 per week, or smaller ones from Carol Wrigley (01502 724 818), £60 per week. The Swan Hotel (hotels.adnams.co.uk/the-swan) from £130 per double B&B, Britten House (www.britten house.co.uk), £78 per double B&B.

Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire

Mablethorpe hosts an annual beach-hut festival in September called Bathing Beauties, which focuses on a series of quirky beach huts.

The Bathing Beauties project was created by artist Michael Trainor, whose aim was to produce a gallery of dramatic seaside architecture for this beautiful 10-mile stretch of Lincolnshire coast. Stay in one of the six bedrooms at the award-winning Ramblers Guest House in Trusthorpe, near Mablethorpe.

Information: East Lindsey District Council (www.e-lindsey.gov.uk) rents out the huts for £20 each per day. Rooms at the Ramblers (www.theramblers.info) cost from £54 per room per night B&B.