England’s coast is awash with pretty beach huts, often painted in cheerful pastels or bold stripes. These quirky wooden cabins are too expensive for most people to buy these days, but many people still rent them to make tea, and gaze at the horizon, if on holiday.
The beach hut tradition is also popular in Denmark. However they do things much better! The beach huts are so affordable that nearly every family has one.
They are decorated with little curtains and ornaments, and face doors to the side, rather than to the sea. Presumably to help protect against the elements.
The History of England’s Beach Huts
Beach huts were not designed to put the kettle on, and watch tourists go by. They began life as Victorian bathing machines. Back in the day, a person would not dream of letting their body be on show, before going for a dip.
So the cabins (which had wheels for rich people to be taken to the sea!) were used to change into costumes. As time went by, the wheels disappeared and the beach huts became static cabins at the beach.
England’s Most Popular Beach Huts
Today buying a beach hut can cost as much as a house. But there are some real favourite resorts for either buying or renting beach huts, although they are likely more affordable, outside of these touristy areas:
Southwold, Suffolk
This pretty affluent town on the Suffolk coast, is known for its quirky seaside pier amusements, and having its working pier in the middle of the high street.
Pretty candy-coloured beach huts line the coast, many with hand-painted names. Behind the doors are everything from quirky teapots to board games, to while away the hours.
Bournemouth
Bournemouth boasts over 250 beach huts, stretching along golden sands. This major holiday destination means the beach huts are very expensive. If not bought, some families rent the same hut each year, as a base for swimming and sandy picnics.
Brighton and the South Coast
Again, Brighton is an affluent seaside resort, with the smart green-and-white beach huts lined up along Hove Lawns, just up the road.
Walton-on-the-Naze (Essex)
This resort has over 1000 beach huts, but a lot more affordable. They are still expensive, but this is more an old-fashioned ‘unfashionable’ seaside resort, so prices are not as extortionate as elsewhere.
They are very basic, which locals and visitors love. One reviewer in a newspaper noted that ‘you can’t get artisan bread or proper coffee – but that is its charm’.
Why Are Beach Huts So Sought After?
It’s likely nostalgia. Today there are not many places left (apart from if you go camping), where people can enjoy the simple things in life.
What’s not to love about putting the kettle on, having no TV, and just watching the sun go down from your own little private spot at the beach. They are little retreats for the body and soul – a place to relax, drink tea or chat with friends.
Cost, Ownership, and Renting Options
Owning a beach hut doesn’t come cheap. Prices vary by location. The average price of a beach hut in Southwold can be up to £250,000. While each cheaper areas up around £50,000 – and that’s before council permits and annual fees.
Just like allotments, the waiting list can stretch years in busy tourist areas. Others prefer to just rent by the day or week, for the holiday season.
Freak weather from climate change have sent some beach huts hurtling into the sea, from storm and winds.
Making the Most of Beach Huts
If you’re fortunate enough to own or rent a beach hut, do as the Danes and make it your own! Some ideas are:
- Adding blankets, cushions and folding chairs for comfort.
- Bringing board games, to while away rainy days.
- If you don’t have a kettle (or electricity), then take warm drinks in a Thermos flask.
Keep the noise low. And when you leave sweep the sand out, to leave it nice for the next user.
