Eastbourne has been named the cheapest place in the UK to hire a beach hut for a full year, according to new research by Monzo. The cheapest annual hut on the town's seafront costs £750.75, working out at around £2.06 a day for a year-round seaside base.
Study of more than 1,000 beach huts
The nationwide study looked at more than 1,000 beach huts across 19 coastal authorities to find where holidaymakers and locals can get the most for their money. The research comes as more families choose UK seaside destinations for their holidays rather than travelling abroad.
Beach huts have long been a familiar feature of the British coastline, providing somewhere to shelter from changeable weather, store beach equipment and enjoy a day beside the sea. Eastbourne, known as the Sunshine Coast, was found to offer the best annual value, although no Sussex destinations made the shortlist for the cheapest daily or weekly beach hut hire.
Average costs and other best-value spots
The research found that the average local authority-run beach hut costs £56 to hire for a summer day, while a summer week costs an average of £223. For those looking for a shorter seaside escape, Barry Island in Wales was named the cheapest destination for daily hire, with a small beach hut suitable for a family or group of four available for £24 a day.
Lowestoft and Felixstowe were also highlighted for offering some of the best-value weekly options, with standard beach huts and chalets available for £100 for seven days. The research also found that beach huts are becoming increasingly comfortable, with 57% of those analysed offering home comforts such as electricity, kettles and running water.
Year-round seaside access
While beach huts remain a distinctly British seaside tradition, the findings suggest they can also provide a relatively affordable way to make the most of the coast, particularly for those who can secure a hut for the whole year. For £750.75, an Eastbourne beach hut could provide its hirer with a place to enjoy the seaside throughout every season, rather than just during the summer holidays.
