As summer glimmers on the horizon, the Great British seaside staycation is set to enjoy a renaissance this year as Brits fall back in love with our glorious coastline.
With over 200 independent hotels across the country, OYO Hotels offers a selection of affordable, unique hotels and self-catering accommodation in some of Britain’s best-loved coastal locations. From a family-run Georgian country manor house in Devon to a beachside B&B in surfer’s paradise, Newquay, OYO offers special places to stay in the top seaside spots.
To ensure customers can book with complete peace of mind, OYO has a fully flexible booking policy whereby all bookings cancelled before 9am on the check-in date are 100% refundable.
Newquay, Cornwall
Newquay, on Cornwall’s Atlantic Coast, is one of the nation’s favourite seaside towns. Known for having some of Cornwall’s finest beaches, including the sandy Fistral and Watergate Bay beaches, surfers flock from far and wide while families love the laid back vibe.
OYO Minerva Guesthouse is a family-owned B&B, set within a handsome Victorian building overlooking Newquay Bay and less than a two minute stroll from the beach. Nearby attractions include Newquay Blue Reef Aquarium and Newquay Activity Centre, which has a range of water sports including surfing, kayaking and paddle-boarding. The property offers family rooms and its own games room with snooker table and dartboard.
Torquay, South Devon
Torquay, on South Devon’s English Riviera coastline, is one of England’s most famous Victorian seaside resort towns and known for beaches such as Babbacombe and cliffside Oddicombe.
Set in a Georgian manor house with spectacular views over Lyme Bay, OYO Orestone Manor is a family-run country house hotel. The hotel is a five minute walk from the pretty coastal village of Maidencombe and two miles from the much-loved Babbacombe Model Village. All 14 bedrooms are individually-designed with stylish fabrics, wallpaper and fittings. The award-winning restaurant, with views over the terrace and countryside, serves a menu including freshly-caught Brixham fish, local meats, and vegetables grown in the hotel gardens.
Tenby, South West Wales
Tenby is a 13th century walled harbour town and resort located in South West Wales, steeped in ancient history and alive with brightly coloured buildings and an active fishing community. It is home to some of Wales’ most beautiful shoreline, including the Blue Flag-awarded Harbour Beach, Castle Beach, North Beach and South Beach. The ruins of Tenby Castle overlook the harbour and history enthusiasts can explore more at the Tenby Museum & Art Gallery and the Tudor Merchant’s House. From Tenby Harbour visitors can go mackerel fishing or take a boat trip to the seabird-dappled holy island of Caldey Island, run by Cistercian monks. Walkers will delight in local coastal trails including the famous Pembrokeshire Coast Path.
OYO Lamphey Hall Hotel is a family-run country house hotel located in the picturesque Lamphey village on the Pembroke Coast. The hotel has ten guestrooms, a charming terrace and garden, and a restaurant and bistro using local ingredients. The property is a 20 minute drive from Tenby, but guests can also explore some of Wales’ best beaches which are just a five minute drive from the hotel, including Manorbier, which is popular with surfers and seals alike; Barafundle Bay Beach, which has won numerous international beach awards; and Freshwater East.
Great Yarmouth, Norfolk *self-catering OYO
Great Yarmouth in Norfolk is the quintessential seaside resort town. The 15-mile coastline covers 11 beaches from Winterton-on-Sea in the north to Hopton-on-sea in the south. Visitors can hire a beach hut and take a dip in the ‘excellent’ rated waters, followed by traditional seaside amusements such as donkey rides and crazy golf. A wealth of family attractions include Pleasure Beach amusement park, Sea Life Great Yarmouth and Merrivale Model Village.
OYO Studiotel is positioned in the heart of the town, close to the famous Golden Mile – the promenade which runs between the two traditional seaside piers. The property offers bright and modern self-contained studio apartments, each with a kitchen, separate dining area, flatscreen TV, free WIFI and daily housekeeping. Room configurations include triple and five-bed family rooms, as well as double and twin.
Weston-super-Mare Beach, Somerset *self-catering OYO
Somerset’s Weston-super-Mare’s prominence as a seaside resort can be traced to its Victorian roots as a health spa resort, which saw people flock to enjoy the restorative healing powers of the sea air and saltwater bathing.
Dominated by one of the UK’s longest natural stretches of sandy beach, today it offers a combination of old-fashioned seaside resort and modern vibrance. The Grand Pier is home to a host of attractions including 4D cinema, go-kart circuit and ghost train, and each year the seafront draws crowds for the famous annual Sand Sculpture Festival which attracts artists from across the globe. History buffs will enjoy blue plaque walking trails (Eisenhower and Bob Hope both had links to the town). The town is also home to a thriving street art scene and tours take in local graffiti artist JPS, among others. The town is also a walking and cycling paradise, perched on the edges of the Mendip Hills and Cheddar Gorge, and the Bleadon Levels Nature Reserve has all types of wildlife and birdlife.
OYO Harmony Apartments is an aparthotel close to the beach, offering serviced apartments each with a kitchenette, separate seating area, desk and LED TV. Family rooms are also available.
St Leonards-on-Sea, Hastings, East Sussex
Famed for its regency architecture and hipster vibe, St Leonards-on-Sea is a seaside town within the district of Hastings and just an hour and a half from London. St Lennys, as the locals call it, combines family seaside resort and working fishing port with a creative, urban feel. Dubbed ‘Dalston-On-Sea’ it is buzzing with independent boutiques, antiques shops, and artist studios. The Jerwood Gallery is a must for art-lovers.
Local attractions include 11th Century Norman fortress, Hastings Castle, and of course Hastings’ Pier which re-opened in 2016 after an £11.4 million renovation. Visitors can rent a bicycle (standard or electric) along the promenade or climb the UK’s steepest funicular railway (with original Victorian coaches) for spectacular views over the town and beaches.
OYO Eagle House Hotel is located just a five minute walk from the seafront and St Leonards Beach. Bright, modern rooms have queen size beds and guests can also take advantage of free on-site parking.
For more information, see www.oyorooms.com.
