Get back to nature on England's Coast: Our best coastal staycations

Why take a coastal staycation? England is home to a stunning and diverse range of landscapes, the coast itself changes from long sandy beaches to stark white chalk cliffs, undulating dunes to secluded coves . While many people are used to finding the sublime abroad, you’ll be surprised what can be found closer to home. 

If you’re planning a trip to the coast, stay close to home and take the train instead of a plane, better still, combine a train journey with cycling. Below is a round-up of inspirational stays while being in harmony with nature. 

Green House Hotel, Bournemouth

Lovely, stylish hotel with sound eco-credentials in a great location, a short walk from the seafront and the town centre. This Grade II listed Victorian villa has been beautifully renovated: the comfortable rooms have organic toiletries, top-of-range TVs and ipod docks - low energy - as well as free filtered water and homemade biscuits. The environmental standards are very high here, with stylish wooden furniture from sustainable sources, solar-heated water, and much of the electricity generated on site - they even have their own beehives on the roof. There's also an excellent restaurant that uses locally sourced seasonal and organic ingredients.

Patty’s Barn, situated on the edge of Morecambe Bay
This collection of ten self-catering cottages sleeping up to 54 people offers the great outdoors in a beautiful coastal setting. This fourth generation of farmers have renovated two agricultural barns into 10, lovely four-star self-catering cottages. Their focus is on preserving the natural environment, planting trees to establish new woodlands and areas of conservation and to encourage habitat for the local wildlife and eco-systems. They plan to build a community of loyal and diverse visitors who want to experience rural Britain at its best. Patty’s Barn has been converted to produce renewable energy by anaerobic digestion at Cockerham Green Energy and the onsite car and fly fishery, Cockerham Quarry Fishing.

Yoga-Spice, Yorkshire Coast
Spend time at Valley View reconnecting with the natural world. They use home-grown organic produce offering vegan or vegetarian meals and focus on getting back to nature, walk along the cliff path overlooking Robin Hood’s Bay and relaxation!

Here are some more of our favourite places to stay around England's Coast on your next staycation.

Pot-a-doodle-do Wigwams, Northumberland Coast
27 wooden wigwams, three canvas yurts situated minutes from Cocklawburn Beach near Berwick upon Tweed. All wigwams are double-glazed with panel heaters to keep cosy and warm. These are dog friendly, include TVs, and some are en-suite. Mini-moon package for honeymoons, sheepskin rugs, fairy lights, chocolates, sparkling wine, campfire are all available. Yurts are well-insulated with pine floors, panel heaters, thick mattresses. Site offers BBQ huts, licensed restaurant, pottery painting, shop, play area, fishing lake. 

Nearby: Lindisfarne tidal island, Bamburgh Castle, Berwick upon Tweed. 

Wallsend Glamping Pods, Cumbria Coast
Five luxury eco-pods, en-suite, heated towel rail and electric heating. Wood-fired hot tub, fire pits, bottles of Prosecco and wine can be supplied at an extra cost. TV, free Wi-Fi.

Nearby: Drumburgh Moss Nature Reserve, in winter see geese, black-headed gulls and maybe hen harriers roosting. Enjoy the new Solway Coast Path and Solway Dunes, an SSI. Hire a private indoor pool and hot tub at Foxes Poole Kirkbride, take an alpaca for a walk!

Bell Tent Glamping at Muncaster Castle, Ravenglass
Get away from it all and discover the freedom of wild glamping at Muncaster Castle. Tucked away in a quiet wooded corner of the 77-acre Muncaster Estate, this small, back-to-nature glamping site offers unlimited access to everything Muncaster and the local area has to offer. 

The glamping experience allows you to enjoy the simpler things in life as you unwind and relax around your campfire. The five metre canvas bell tents can accommodate up to 4 guests. Each bell tent is equipped with wooden framed beds with a mattress, cosy wood burning stove, solar powered lighting, cooking equipment, and tableware. Outside is your own fire pit, campfire kettle, and  picnic table. Dutch ovens and campfire frying pans are available for a small hire charge. Each bell tent has access to a composting loo, rustic shower, basic washing-up facilities and a freezer in which to refresh your freezer blocks. 

Tapnell Farm, Isle of Wight
Eco lodges beautiful Safari Tents, Cabins, Modulogs, Pods and Domes, all nestled away in the glorious surroundings of Tapnell Farm, on the Isle of Wight. Stunning sea views, space to roam, and sandy beaches nearby create the perfect farm stay for an adventurous family holiday, relaxing group get together, and even a romantic hideaway.

The Modulogs were designed specifically for Tapnell Farm, making them unique to Eco Lodge guests. These cosy accommodation pods are fully insulated and kitted out with heaters, comfy sofas (which fold out into sofa beds), log burners, dining tables.

Cuckoo Down Farm, near Sidmouth, Devon
Enjoy a relaxing holiday in one of four beautifully decorated safari lodges, some with hot tubs or two yurts for relaxed glamping. Experience the fun of the farm which includes ponies, chickens, campfires and 30 acres of unspoilt meadows plus Forest School activities in their three-acre oak and bluebell wood. Each tent has compost loo, campfire, hot shower in tents and wooden floors.

Safari Cornwall
Relax in a hot tub, sleep in high-quality king-size bed in one of two Shepherd’s huts with log burner. Big Blue horse lorry conversion with wood-burning hot tub with Bertha the shower trailer and en-suite loo.

Set in an orchard on working small holding near Wadebridge, North Cornwall surrounded by fields of sheep, alpaca, horses and goats. Explore pubs and restaurants of Polzeath and Port Isaac. Book a Cornish Food Box full of local produce for your arrival.

Humble Bee Farm, Yorkshire Coast
Set in the heart of a working stock and arable farm among the peaceful Yorkshire Wolds, Humble Bee Farm includes three luxurious Wigwam Lodges with hot tubs, four Running Water Deluxe cabins with woodfired hot tubs, 16 'Big Chief' Wigwams, four Nomadic Yurts, a selection of Bell Tents, a small yet peaceful campsite and three holiday cottages. 

You can order Wigwam extras - anything from a fire bowl and marshmallows to bottle of bubbly to fresh local bacon! Humble Bee Farm also has an extensive event calendar each year including Lambing and Calving Weekends, nature events, Halloween, Bonfire and Easter. 

From cycling to local gin tasting, check out these great things to do on your next coastal staycation.

Cumbria – Cycleway
The Lakes & Dales Loop cycle route allows people to get up close to Cumbria’s spectacular landscapes. Using quiet country lanes, the route takes in the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, Eden Valley, Morecambe Bay, and West Cumbria. 196 circular cycle route. 

White Cliffs Country, Kent
This region – with more than 20 miles of coastline - has developed a host of green tourism experiences, you’ll be spoilt for choice! 

Go seafood foraging for a gourmet feast on the coast, savour a shellfish picnic on a cycle ride with The Wild Kitchen in Deal, improve your health and well-being with a Primal Retreat in St Margaret’s Bay or head to the beach in Deal to join in beach yoga or Tai Chi; you’ll truly leave only footprints.

Getting married? For the ultimate romantic gesture, design and make your own wedding bands at a jewellery workshop with Rees and Rees in Deal.

Read more on responsible travel at White Cliffs Country here - and the area’s unique experiences here