Stay in a beach hut: From one of George Clarke's Amazing Spaces to Dotty, Betty, Percy, Hattie, and Bertie on Mersea Island

The Big Six

Ledge Beach Hut, Isle of Wight

This pretty, sea-blue hut is perched on a cliff top on the island's eastern tip. It has an open-plan living room and dining area and a double bedroom that looks out on to the water. Inside, the hut is colourful with a pink table, floral curtains, and plenty of beach-themed artwork on the walls. Double doors open out on to a deck, complete with classic stripy deck chairs.

Isle of Wight, Bembridge (01983 770177; bit.ly/LedgeBeachHut). One week's rent from £415, self-catering.

Beach Hut 282, Dorset

Mudeford Spit in Dorset is famed for its 350 colourful beach huts. Although they're privately owned, many are available to rent, including No 282. It was refitted in 2013 and now has a fully equipped kitchen, complete with gas cooker and fridge, a sofa bed that sleeps two and a loft sleeping three. The decor is simple: white walls, light wood floors, and wooden steps leading up to the cosy top floor. Make the most of the location with the hut's beach table, barbecue, bikes, deck chairs and beach games.

Beach Hut 282, The Spit, Mudeford, Christchurch, Dorset (07730 732156; mudeford-beachhut.co.uk). One week's rental from £600.

Beach Hut 282

Shaldon Beach Hut 5, Devon

This charming, nautical-themed hut for two, which has appeared on Countryfile and George Clarke's Amazing Spaces, has an open-play layout, with a sofa, breakfast table, kitchen, and a mezzanine bedroom under the roof, accessible via a ladder. There is under-floor heating, and a paved terrace that's practically on Shaldon beach. It also has a stone tiled bathroom with a power shower.

Shaldon Beach Hut 5, Shaldon, Devon (01803 213814; bit.ly/ShaldonBeachHut). Self-catering from £200 a night, minimum two-night stay.

Shaldon Beach Hut 5

Seascape, Sussex

Seascape has plenty of aquatic-inspired touches, such as pebbles on the hearth and a sawn-in-half rowing boat to remind you where you are (it's Camber Sands, by the way). Upstairs there's a master bedroom, with a bed made out of driftwood. The room looks out on to the water. Downstairs, the lounge opens out on to the beach. There's also a pull-out sofa bed, a single bedroom, bathroom and kitchen. And there's a terrace and barbecue for those balmy summer evenings.

Seascape, 20 The Suttons, Camber, East Sussex (01797 224754; camberbeach.co.uk/seascape.html). Nightly rate from £150.

Seascape, Sussex

Little Beach Huts, Essex

Named Dotty, Betty, Percy, Hattie, and Bertie, these Mersea Island huts look like grown-up Wendy houses, decorated with bunting, cushions and frilly curtains. They're practical too, with small ovens, tables and chairs, kettles and crockery. There is no electricity or water, but fresh water taps are close by. They also come with windbreaks and deck chairs – handy given that the huts open out on to the sand. They're available for hire from 10.30am until 8pm each day.

Mersea Island, Essex (07817 985514; thelittlebeachhutcompany.co.uk). One day's rental from £45.

Little Beach Huts, Essex

Blue Cabin by the Sea, Berwickshire

This sweet Scottish cabin is so remote that it is only accessible on foot – through a rock-cut smuggling tunnel or across a beach. It sleeps up to four people in its two bedrooms, and there's a kitchen and a living room, too. As the name would suggest, the exterior is blue, but inside the bedrooms are bright green. Wooden steps lead you down to the beach or, if the weather doesn't go your way, you can cosy up by the fireplace in the living room.

Cove Harbour, Berwickshire (07849 058 493; bluecabinbythesea.co.uk). One week's rental from £550, self-catering.

Blue Cabin by the Sea

Click here to view the latest travel offers, with Independent Holidays.