SUFFOLK

Suffolk Secrets, Southwold

Southwold is famous for its amazing array of candy-coloured beach huts that line this stunning stretch of Suffolk sand. Huts they might be, but getting your hands on one of these chic coastal sheds is no mean feat – the most expensive Southwold hut was on the market for an incredible £250,000 in 2022 and you can’t even sleep in them! Thankfully you can rent one for a week for a lot less and pose stylishly on the steps pretending you’re the owner. Suffolk Secrets rents out huts as well as gorgeous holiday homes in Southwold, with a choice of huts from the Gun Hill end right along to the Pier. We love the sound of the Two Fat Ladies Beach Hut! From £268 per week. 

Lowestoft Beach Hut Hire, Lowestoft

If you love a good sunrise then head to the beach at Lowestoft, Britain’s most easterly point and soak up the morning sun from the deck of one of 59 beach huts on offer (14 with level access). Lowestoft is an ideal destination for the whole family, with lots to keep kids entertained as well as space for dogs to run on the sand all year round (at the Pakefield end). There’s a huge choice when it comes to the style of hut here from teeny tiny Victorian huts for changing your cossie to cool, modern contemporary sheds (only built last year), as well as your classic pastel-coloured beauties. Book over 22 and 23 June 2024 to enjoy the First Light Festival, a weekend of activities, experiences and free arts to celebrate one cycle of midsummer sun setting and rising over South Beach. From £36 per day and £60 for a week. 

NORFOLK

Happy Huts, Wells-next-the-Sea

A pick ‘n’ mix selection of colourful beach huts line Wells beach – and like a child in a sweet shop you’d be hard placed to choose your favourite. Happily, many of them are available to hire privately by the day, including number 189, Salty Dog, which, naturally, is located on the dog-friendly side of the beach. Inside it’s all jaunty, nautical charm, with everything you need for a fuss-free beach day: folding chairs and tables, windbreaks, crockery and glasses. There’s also a camping stove with a kettle for a warming cuppa – particularly welcome if you’ve ventured across the long stretch of sand to the sea for a dip.

Meet you at Six, Wells-next-the-Sea

Straight out of a glossy interiors magazine, this chic beach hut is almost too special for sandy feet. They’ve thought of everything you could need for a refined day by the sea whatever the weather – including Champagne flutes, parasols, blankets and hot water bottles, and even a cabana. It’s located on the dog-free side of the beach and is frankily more geared to grown-ups than ice-cream smeared littlies. A lovely touch is the welcome hamper filled with locally sourced goodies and – thoughtfully – mini jars of sauce for those bacon sarnies (frying pan and gas stove available).

ESSEX

Beach Hut Hire, Holland-on-Sea

Take your pick from four cute huts: Stripey, Blue, Lily and Yellow, all available from April to October, overlooking Holland-on-Sea’s shore. Inside they’re filled with all the things you need to take the hassle out of a day at the coast, from parasols and windbreaks to buckets and spades, meaning you can travel light. There’s also a gas stove with kettle for tea and coffee and a frying pan too, though The Beach Haven Cafe’s only a short stroll away for bacon sandwiches and salty chips. £55 weekdays, £75 weekends, bank holidays and school holidays. 

Daisy Beach Huts, Walton on the Naze

You’ve eight beach huts to choose from here bang on Walton on the Naze’s seafront. The huts are beautifully decorated and contain everything you need for a day at the seaside. Think tables, chairs, beach toys, parasol, blankets, glasses, plates, gas stove, kettle and mugs plus tea, coffee and sugar for a brew beside the sea. Want to make a long weekend or holiday of it? They also own the gorgeous Daisy Beach House, a four bed house that sleeps up to eight literally a stroll away. Beach huts from £50 per day, Daisy Beach House from £110 a night (minimum 3 night stay).

Want more from East Anglia? Check out our local county sites for the inside line on what’s happening in Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.