With half term just around the corner and a faint whiff of spring in the air, if you’re anything like me, you’ll already be starting to plan holidays for the months ahead. Yes, there are some tempting deals on overseas breaks with the likes of TUI and Jet2, but there are also plenty of gorgeous stays to be enjoyed right here in the UK – including a beautiful holiday home that has been voted the “best beach holiday cottage” in the country by Sykes Holiday Cottages. Aptly named Bucket and Spades, this beachfront property quite literally opens out onto the sand, with uninterrupted views across the sea at Pevensey Bay in East Sussex. Previous guests have given it an almost five-star rating across the board, with one recent visitor summing it up as: “A lovely place to go for a few days of peace and quiet. Beautifully located on pebble beach – perfect for dog walks, sunrises and sunsets.”

The property took gold in the Sykes Holiday Cottages Sykes Gems 2025 awards for best beach property, as decided by a panel of judges. It can be booked for three to 28 nights, subject to availability. Prices vary depending on when you travel, but at the time of writing, there is still full availability across the peak summer months. Based on an independent search, we found the property, which sleeps six and is pet-friendly, available from £1,900 for three nights in early July. That works out at approximately £105 per person, per night, based on six people sharing.

Pevensey Bay is a historic coastal village around a 15-minute drive from Eastbourne, sitting along the English Channel coast. The beach itself is shingle and holds a four-star rating from The Beach Guide. It’s also said to be the landing spot of William the Conqueror in 1066 before the Battle of Hastings, which adds a certain sense of drama to those horizon views. According to The Beach Guide, it’s generally quieter than many beaches along this stretch of coastline, which is ideal if you’re craving space and sea air. And Bucket and Spades makes the most of it with floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the shoreline. Double doors at the rear of the property open straight from the living area onto a private decking area on the shingle, complete with chairs and a table for relaxed, seafront dinners as the light fades.

From the outside, you might assume it’s a compact beach cottage, but step inside, and you’ll find it unfolds across three floors. The main kitchen and living space are positioned to make the most of those postcard-worthy coastal views. The kitchen is well equipped for cooking proper meals rather than just quick snacks, and the decor leans into calm blues and whites that echo the vistas beyond the glass. Slide open the doors and listen to the soundtrack of the surf. Underfloor heating runs throughout, so even on cooler days it feels cosy underfoot, and Sykes also says there is a Smart TV and generous sofas for evenings in after long, breezy walks along the shore.

Upstairs, there are three double bedrooms, each with its own en-suite bathroom, which makes it particularly well-suited to families or groups of friends holidaying together. The principal king room stands out thanks to its private balcony: a lovely spot for a morning coffee in the sea air or a quiet drink before dinner, watching the light shift over the water.

Sykes says the property comes with quality linens and even eco-conscious toiletries, a thoughtful touch that feels more in keeping with a boutique hotel than a typical holiday let. Alongside the comforts, there are practical additions too, including a utility room, Wi-Fi, off-road parking for three cars and space for one well-behaved dog.

If you can tear yourself away from the view, Beachy Head is about a 20-minute drive away. The highest chalk sea cliff in Britain, it rises 162 metres above the English Channel and makes for a memorable walk. Closer to home, there’s a local shop nearby and the village itself is within walking distance, offering a handful of cafés and restaurants for when you don’t feel like cooking.

Guest reviews are mostly five stars, with one four-star review. One visitor wrote: “The location is amazing, Pevensey Bay is a well-kept secret. I don’t think I would ever get tired of staring out at the view. We walked every day along the beach and made it as far as Cooden Bay in one direction and Eastbourne Sovereign Harbour in the other. The house is very well appointed, comfortable, clean and modern with good quality furniture and appliances. It felt like a home from home, and I didn’t want to leave.”

Not every stay is perfect for everyone, though. While one guest praised it as “clean, spacious and modern” with “spectacular views,” they added: “The only reason I didn’t give it a five out of five is that for us as a family the beach wasn’t really kid friendly, it’s perfect for swimmers and boats etcetera, but not so much for letting little ones paddle and swim.”

It’s a fair point; this is a shingle beach rather than a sandy one, but for those in search of endless views, summer swims and a front-row seat to the sea, I think this sounds like a perfect option.