Could Beach Huts Solve Cornwall’s Holiday Let Crisis?
Holiday lets in the UK are booming – and Cornwall is feeling the pressure. New figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveal that demand for short-term holiday accommodation reached a record high last year, with Cornwall ranking as one of the most booked destinations. With 3.4 million guest nights recorded in 2023, only London’s Westminster saw more overnight stays. But what does this mean for locals, and could the humble beach hut offer a solution to the region’s growing housing crisis?
🌊 The Housing Dilemma Behind Coastal Getaways
As Cornwall’s popularity as a summer getaway continues to surge, the demand for short-term lets via Airbnb, Booking.com and Expedia is pricing local people out of the housing market. With homes increasingly being converted into holiday rentals, property prices have skyrocketed. Cornwall’s median house price is now 8.85 times the average local salary.
What’s happening in Cornwall mirrors rising tensions in Spain, where residents are protesting against unchecked holiday rentals. Could similar backlash erupt in the UK? Travel expert Lily Smith from BeachHuts.com thinks so. “This seasonal housing demand skews prices for locals,” she explains. “In mid-2023, Cornwall had a permanent population of around 578,000. That balloons dramatically during the summer.”
🛖 Enter the Beach Hut: The Alternative Staycation Hero
Smith believes there’s a practical and picturesque solution to this dilemma — beach huts. Seaside huts are an ideal alternative to hotels and holiday lets. They don’t require extensive infrastructure and crucially, they don’t displace locals.”
Beach huts not only offer charm and nostalgia but also practicality. While many are designed for daytime use, others allow for overnight stays — offering an ethical, cost-effective and characterful base for a seaside escape.
🌟 Spotlight on Cornwall’s Overnight Beach Huts
Some of Cornwall’s best beach huts are already gaining attention for their style and comfort:
- Sea Angel Beach Chalet, St Ives – A vintage-style chalet nestled above Gwithian Beach, with retro Cath Kidston interiors, sleeping four. Prices start at £125 per night.
- Lark’s Nest, Riviere Towans – A stylish beach bungalow that accommodates six guests, with a full kitchen and lounge. From £464 for three nights.
Meanwhile, in Mudeford Spit, Dorset, Hut 409 is kitted out with a modern kitchen, kayaks and bodyboards, offering sea views and outdoor adventure in one unique bolthole.
💡 Daytime Huts: A Budget-Friendly Option
Even if you don’t stay overnight, beach huts provide an unbeatable base for day trips. Take Boscombe’s Beach Hut 821, which offers a stove, chairs, tableware and unbeatable sea views — all for just £55 a day in peak season.
“With hundreds of beach huts around the UK, they’re the hidden gems of the seaside holiday scene,” says Smith. “They’re not just affordable; they’re sustainable and add colour and charm to our coastlines.”
🏡 What Needs to Change?
If beach huts are to become a more viable alternative, Smith believes local councils need to support the idea: “We’d love to see more freehold tenure options for beach huts, without restrictions on overnight stays. This would enable more people to enjoy affordable accommodation, while driving tourism revenue for local businesses.”